Stephen Malkmus — Stephen Malkmus

Much has been made of Malkmus' return to a poppier form that reflected Pavement's earlier form. I think he just got out from under major label morons telling him how to walk, talk and write songs like he was some sort of boy band member. His self-titled solo debut is the best work he's done since '94s Crooked Rain Crooked Rain. Throughout the album there are personal and quirky tales from the imagination of Malkmus, most notably "The Hook," a tale of a child being kidnapped by Turkish pirates. Outside of the opening track and blistering angry tale of romance (maybe!?) called "Black Book," the majority of the material is quite light as Malkmus weaves his Lou Reed-like sing/speak with tight stinging guitars. This is so strong an album that Malkmus could afford to "hide" two of the best tracks on the album at the end, the literary tale of "road" romance "Jennifer And The Ess-Dog" and the quiet ballad "Deado." Malkmus hasn't just gone back in time recapturing the glory of his early days in Pavement, but he's incorporated a few fresh environmental electronic sounds into the diverse yet inclusive music mix. This is easily the best album of the New Year.

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