Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks: Mirror Traffic

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
Mirror Traffic
Matador Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: The always entertaining Stephen Malkmus finds a nice balance of honoring his Pavement days while still progressing sonically with the Jicks!

Album Review:
I don't know about you but Stephen Malkmus always seems like the super talented guy next door that has the great lawn, great family and great car. This is especially the case, as he ages gracefully and when you match him up with the skilled Jicks, his laid back musical approach carries a high swagger and instantly earns respect. On his fifth long player, Mirror Traffic, I believe most will be wondering, as they let this 50 minute set play, will last years Pavement reunion have some influence here. The quick answer is absolutely yes, as I believe more so then before, Mirror Traffic has plenty of infused "Pavement" moments. It possesses spirited indie spurts that have spunk, like on the short rocking "Tune Grief" and catchy first single "Tigers". The record also contains the Malkmus sharp tongue that has not been as prevalent on his last several solo outings. Now to call this a Pavement record would be going too far because as fun as Pavement arrangements can be, Mirror Traffic has a noticeable sophisticated song structure, courtesy of the Jicks, that separates the work. Songs like "Long Hard Book" have a musical stroll in the backdrop that is completely tight, while "No One Is (As I Are Be)" has a softness to its instruments that engages the listener within the track. Some of the stylings on Mirror Traffic should be credited to its producer, Beck, as you can hear his imprint on several songs that would fit right in on some of his most recent work. Mirror Traffic is a solid record from Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks that gets better after every spin and for fans of Pavement that have never quite got on board with Malkmus's solo work - this album just might be the one to fall back into the fold!

Key Tracks: "Tigers", "Spazz", "Forever 28"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Beck
Mike Doughty
Ben Kweller

Pavement: Quarantine The Past - The Best Of Pavement [Fire Note Review 3/5/10]
Pavement: Brighten The Corners [Nicene Creedence Edition] [Fire Note Review 12/10/08]
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks: Real Emotional Trash [Fire Note Review 3/11/08]

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Website
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Facebook
Matador Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony