After reading rave reviews from Rolling Stone and Allmusic, I was excited to hear Real Emotional Trash by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks. Now that I've played it a few times, I have some mixed feelings.
The guitar work here is amazing. For this album, Malkmus decided to do more with guitar/keyboard interplay. He also added Janet Weiss, who is one of the most overpowering drummers alive. Instrumentally, this album is a cross between the Grateful Dead and Sonic Youth's more laid back work.
So why isn't this a great album? Two reasons: 1.) there are few memorable hooks or choruses to be found, and 2.) the lyrics are absolutely horrible.
I don't expect good lyrics out of Stephen Malkmus. That has never been his forte. Even on Pavement's best albums, the lyrics were the part I tried to ignore. Unfortunately, I think they get worse as he gets older. Just read the song titles: "Hopscotch Willie", "Elmo Delmo", and "Wicked Wanda". Could he have made an instrumental album?
There are some great moments here though. "We Can't Help You" is the rare beautiful moment that happens about once on each of his records (just like what "Here" was to Slanted and Enchanted). "Baltimore" has some of the best lo-fi buzz guitar soloing I've heard in years. "Gardenia" actually manages to be catchy: it's the only song you might still be humming after the album is over.
If you are looking for a great album to get drunk or stoned to, this one might work. If you are looking for a great rock album, get the new Drive By Truckers or wait a few weeks for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds new one.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment