Stephen Malkmus - Traditional Techniques

Stephen Malkmus is so prolific nowadays that I don't always bother to keep up fully with his latest releases as they come along with the seeming regularity of buses. He's a definite talent and has put out an enormous amount of product that I've taken to over the years though I've always been slightly wary of his priviledged dilletante air.

That magpie opportunism is certainly still plainly evident on his new release Traditional Techniques. No great departures here. On the first two tracks alone it's evident he's taken a fancy to sitar excursions of the kind favoured greatly in 1967 and 1968 and is determined to recast them for the new millenium. Elsewhere he favours a thick intimate, acoustic folk sound which he really starts to grow into over the course of the record. Malkmus is rarely fully committed to any cause  but if that irritates you and always has ,he's simply not the artist for you. Trust me you won't like this record. He's not a leopard that's about to change his spots this far along the line.

Nevertheless, he's got plenty going for him which is why he has such a fiercely loyal constituency and shows here why so many are drawn to him. Incapable of walking a straight line, it's his naturally digressive persona that sets him apart, his songs issue forth as the traditionally crafted song viewed through a distorting mirror. A pleasant evening of recreational drug use with old friends. 

On my first listen through to Traditional Techniques I found there was little that completely grabbed me by the throat and demanded my attention until the record began to draw to a close. Malkmus always likes to give the impression that he doesn't much care and this certainly isn't changing as he maakes his way through middle age. His career best work was surely on the first few Pavement albums where his bandmates probably led him to raise his bar somewhat, not perhaps his natural instinct. His records now certainly don't contain any of that Slacker urgency, (an aparent contradiction in terms, but listen to Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain or Brighten The Corners, it is there).

Malkmus now is generally in playful mode. He's someone who enjoys life and it's evident in the music he makes. For the first seven or eight songs this is pretty much as laidback as you can get whilst still remaining horizontal. This isn't an essential record but it is a likable one, almost despite itself. Things strangely change tack noticeably towards the end of the record. He can still hit the ball out of the park when he chooses to. I'd say that Signal Western and Amberjack  songs three and two tracks from the end of the record are two of the best songs he's ever written.They're also genuinely touching. For the most part though, because he's Stephen Malkmus he chooses not to raise a sweat. 

You can't help feeling that a lot of Malkmus' High School reports must have read, 'Stephen must try harder.' If so, he never paid much heed. he knew he was pretty good. Sometimes he can be very good but it seems he doesn't always want to be. Can't be bothered. Must be a nice gift to have. Plus ca change, plus le meme chose.