Waking Ear

Stephen Malkmus/"Trojan Curfew" -- Disclaimer: I don't know how the Pavement faithful feel about the Malkmus solo album. There is probably a consensus that has been reached that I don't know about. I own all the Pavement LPs, and nothing more. No EPs, no rarities, etc. So my opinion will not be the most informed on this matter. I tread lightly because I know there are some rabid Pavement people out there.

OK, good, that's out of the way. When I first heard Stephen Malkmus, I didn't think much of it. I don't know why. It just didn't seem to have that Pavement glee. It was too somber, too laid-back, too... old. But I plugged it in on a whim the other day, and for the first time, I heard a Great Album. Epic lyricism. Infectious melodies. Bizarre noises and bleeps to catch you off guard. Vocals that manage to sound laconic and fiery at the same time. And a great sense of humor.

"Trojan Curfew" is one of my favorites, with its idyllic description of the ancient world and its lazy summer-babe-day feel. It's like daydreaming in a college class in which you're studying Homer. I think Rolling Stone or one of the crappy magazines I still read called Stephen Malkmus "the sound of indie rock growing up," or something like that. I don't think so. I think that label applies to Brighten the Corners. Malkmus is the sound of indie rock feeling young again.

A quick aside: thanks for coming to visit while I was away. I like the little community we've created and hope it continues to grow. And as an Army brat, it's my duty to report that some of us take pride in that word.