It's been real
Every
time I listen to a new Malkmus record, I must admit that I still
miss Pavement. Not because his solo records have been bad, it’s
just that Pavement was that enjoyable. Now that sets the bar high
for every solo record that he releases but unlike some other notable
front men’s solo albums, Stephen Malkmus does not stray
too far from his talents and Real Emotional Trash retains
his trademark quick lyrical changes and bouncy delivery.
The noticeable difference on his forth solo outing
is that the Jicks are back in full force, especially in the drums
department with ex Sleater-Kinney and Quasi member Janet Weiss
giving each track the precision it needs. On Malkmus’s last
outing, Face The Truth [2005] the Jicks were around but
did not play together on each track, so as a possible payback,
Real Emotional Trash finds the band taking the lead on
many of the tracks in the form of an all out jam. Many of the
songs pass the five minute mark and the title track is a full
ten minutes long. This is bad and good depending on your taste
because the Jicks are musically tight and Malkmus is a natural
leader, but several of these lengthy tracks wear out their welcome
and would have been great ending at the four minute mark.
Just as some might see the length as a negative,
Real Emotional Trash as an album, actually benefits because
it has seamless transitions and ultimately makes the entire project
seem cohesive. With all of that said, if you are not completely
turned off by the longer jam on Real Emotional Trash it is still
an enjoyable listen. It gives Malkmus fans something different
to check out while retaining all of his positive traits that we
have come to enjoy making Trash another keeper for the
collection.
Christopher Anthony
For more of Christopher Anthony's music reviews,
check out The
Fire Note
