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The Daily OrangePaving the way
Rising solo career on display in ex-Pavement lead singer Stephen Malkmus' fourth album
By Dave Arey
Posted: 3/4/08, 12:18 AM EST Section: Decibel
Countering the formless nature of most of the album is "Gardenia," the shortest and most straightforward song on the album. Backed by gorgeous harmonies and a slinky guitar, Malkmus asks a lover if she is "just a present waiting to be opened up and parceled out again."
Of course, Malkmus is no one's present, and if his songs are not waiting to be opened up, that's by design. Or, as Dylan might put it - he's an artist, and he don't look back.
Pavement: From Revolutionary to Reactionary
One look at Stephen Malkmus' former band's career reveals much about the mercurial nature of his solo material.
"Slanted and Enchanted," 1992
"Lies and betrayals, fruit-covered nails, electricity and lust." So began the career of the band that was to be R.E.M.'s weird, arty West Coast cousins.
"Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain," 1994
The group turned down the distortion and released the most poppy album of its career, especially the would-be hit single "Cut Your Hair."
"Wowee Zowee," 1995
What happened? Littered with weird ballads and goofy jams, this is the first sign that quality control may be a problem.
"Brighten the Corners," 1997
A softer, lighter album that is fine, though a little boring.
"Terror Twilight," 1999
Strictly a ballad band, though a damn good one.
dwarey@syr.edu
Of course, Malkmus is no one's present, and if his songs are not waiting to be opened up, that's by design. Or, as Dylan might put it - he's an artist, and he don't look back.
Pavement: From Revolutionary to Reactionary
One look at Stephen Malkmus' former band's career reveals much about the mercurial nature of his solo material.
"Lies and betrayals, fruit-covered nails, electricity and lust." So began the career of the band that was to be R.E.M.'s weird, arty West Coast cousins.
The group turned down the distortion and released the most poppy album of its career, especially the would-be hit single "Cut Your Hair."
What happened? Littered with weird ballads and goofy jams, this is the first sign that quality control may be a problem.
A softer, lighter album that is fine, though a little boring.
Strictly a ballad band, though a damn good one.
dwarey@syr.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jack Fate
posted 3/05/08 @ 5:29 PM EST
Ballad of a Thin Man about being too cool for your own good? Um, no. A song that has been considered everything from a depiction of homosexual sensibilities to Dylan's caustic insult to the at-that-time ubiquitous square press corps, it's probably safely only NOT about one thing: being too cool. (Continued…)
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