Published on Aug 28, 2003
Stephen Malkmus is a quirky little Californian snob who many
detest. He looks like Tony Hawk and dresses like Generation-X
fashion was still in vogue. In high school, he was likely the
pimple-faced skateboarding loner who sat in the garage strumming a
beached acoustic guitar.
In early adulthood, he was considered the ‘indie darling’ with a
band called Pavement. They were supposed to be huge. In fact, the
word that swelled from the underground was that they were the
“next” Nirvana. For reasons unknown, Pavement just never
commercially gelled. With persistence, they created great music for
nearly a decade. However, the lack of mainstream success took its
toll and started to show up in the sound, so they called it quits.
Stephen decided to give solo a go.
Malkmus released his own playful and enjoyable self-titled album
in 2001. He recorded with a collection of indie rock vets
collectively known as the Jicks. The Jicks played as a largely
uncredited session band that subsequently supported the righteously
noncommittal Stephen on tour. In his ‘solo’ offering, the
amateurish gadgetry was so frequently deployed that it definitely
had the tone of…”Yes, I’m free, so what do I do next?”
Naturally, next came the Jicks.
Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks are Stephen Malkmus (guitar and
vocals); Mike Clark (guitar, keyboards); Joanna Bolme (bass,
background vocals) and John Moen (drums, background vocals). Their
debut is
Pig Lib. After the first listen, it’s obvious that this is a
band and not simply an ego project for the lead voice.
Discoveries as a band were made when genres like new wave (“Dark
Wave”); progressive rock (the 9:00 epic “1% of One” and “Water and
a Seat”); electronica (“Vanessa From Queens” and “Animal Midnight”)
and even funk (“Sheets”) were explored to expand on Stephen’s
jangly brand of indie pop/rock. Although the vocals are excellent
throughout, the ethereal stunners are “Ramp of Death” and “Witch
Mountain Grave.” Malkmus’ lyrics are best described as droll Beck
and are maximized to great comedic effect with his over-articulate
inflection.
The Jicks are magic.
Pig Lib may not immediately satisfy as a fling, but courts
and haunts your psyche until you become completely intoxicated.
This is the most consistent record that Malkmus has been involved
with and it deserved a much better than #97 debut (and likely peak)
in overall album sales. Those of us fortunate enough to be exposed,
should feel privileged to be so rewarded. The general public can
continue buying what marketing machines predetermine on radio’s
ever-repeating playlists, but you can feast on
Pig Lib.