New Steve Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Emmet Kelly and Jim White combo.
1st single was fine, but just sounded like the Jicks, but the album is a hell of a pleasant surprise, Sweeney and Kelly can't really sing, but there's an endearing charm to it all. A good time.

Love the 'waitin on a friend' vibes from this

+

In principle, a strong "hell yes" for this group.

Love several tracks on the album but as a whole I have not fully formulated an opinion as of yet.

Got a lot of time for Matt Sweeney. Got very little for Stephen Malkmus.

It is interesting to hear Jim White in a more conventional rock band, non-Dirty Three context and reminded me I should listen to more Venom P. Stinger.

The singles I listened to were alright. Lackadaisical older-guy indie rock for sure, but still pretty decent, though I probably had to suppress the part of my brain that gets enraged at the sight of Stephen Malkmus approaching a vocal mic.

It works much better in the context of the whole album, I think. SM's songs are pretty great here, and I like EK's playing a whole lot.

Weird as fuck to hear Jim White play it straight.

For most albums, if 40% of the record is good I'm cool with that. This passes that text for me. One song, "Six Deaf Rats," is GREAT.

The album is too long.

Everything I've heard from it is just kind of ok. I can't imagine listening to it for more than a week.

Pass.

defendyachtrock wrote: Lackadaisical older-guy indie rock for sure

Yep. Suppose I would see if someone paid for me, but I'm sure I'd leave early, and not just because I'm their age.

I find SM to be the least insufferable person in this band, by far. Indie rock snobs gobbled up the 'slacker' narrative that the music journalists pulled out of thin air in the early 90's and are still using it against him. He's released, what, 20 albums? None of them bad. Never taken much of a break from music. And he's become one of the greatest guitar players in terms of the 'Neil inspired' kind of playing most people here jizz over. He seems SUPER cool in interviews. A healthy dose of self deprecation/awareness, and usually tries to steer the conversation to talk about other people's music he loves. Or basketball. I'm psyched that he lives in Chicago now, hopefully he starts sitting in with other bands on occasion! (MINT MILE?!)

This album? One listen I love it, then the next I'm a little bored. Needs a bit more unhinged sloppiness maybe? SM's songs are for sure the strong part. For all the praise this drummer gets, there is absolutely nothing interesting going on. Steve West would be better.

jeff fox wrote: Mon Oct 07, 2024 9:18 am I find SM to be the least insufferable person in this band, by far. Steve West would be better.

Jeff wants new Pavement record, as do I.