Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks “Real Emotional Trash”

Okay, I’m a good month(+) behind on this one, but I was stuck on the “Left of the Dial” boxed set. (Mebbe more on that at some other time). Back to the topic at hand: “Real Emotional Trash”. This is stunning the first few seconds out of gate … “Dragonfly Pie” begins with heavy guitar work and blends into beautiful 70’s moody rock. Malkmus’ voice is immediately monotone and haunting, which sets the stage for the rest of the album.

I’ve seen several references to his voice being reminiscent of Johnathon Richman/Modern Lovers, and I do tend to agree. Lyrically, Malkmus keeps to what he’s great at — they’re dark, they’re incredibly witty, and outright funny at times. Janet Weiss (of Sleater Kinney) does perfectly on the drums … even on such a fuzzy, guitar driven album, they’re still notable and lend much to each track.

With more than half the tracks on the album clocking in at five minutes and then some (and the epic title track clocking in at more than ten!!), I was a little worried pre-listen that this was going to be one of those ego-maniacal, self indulgent records that satisfied no one at all lest in the band. But it’s not all … even “Real Emotional Trash” seems linear and progresses perfectly — even well into the track. Hell, six and a half minutes in, the song took such a turn I had to double check that it was still the same one.

“Gardenia” stands out musically as the closest thing to a formulaic pop song … catchy (listen to those drums!!) and playful … but give a really close listed to the lyrics — “You are a gardenia, dressed in the campaign journal in the rucksack of an Afrikaner candidate for mild reform” … “The torture of the Van Wick Expressway at 5 p.m. on Friday gives you some idea of how rejection makes me feel”. Ha! Love it!

One of the most notable things about the album hit me while really listening to each individual player — there are times when it seems like each of them are playing entirely different songs. And yet these layers result in a depth rarely heard on from such a young band. (Yes, they’re all well established musicians, but this is an astounding fourth album).

There is no question, even so early on in the year, that a track here will make it onto my Best of 2008. Narrowing it down to which one is going to be much harder.

~ by tobilynne on April 10, 2008.