Coming August 23 : Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks’ ‘Mirror Traffic’ LP/CD/digital album

On August 23, 2011, Matador will be releasing ‘Mirror Traffic‘, the 5th post-Pavement album from Stephen Malkmus and the 3rd or 4th to bear the Jicks name (depending on whether you’re looking at spines, sleeves or labels). Produced by Beck Hansen, ‘Mirror Traffic’ makes a compelling case that after some 22 years in the public eye, Stephen Malkmus’ full range of musical and lyrical capabilities had yet to be previously explored. The casual virtuosity (and staggering guitar invention) won’t necessarily come as a shock, nor will the rapier wit of one of contemporary rock’s brightest minds. But without dissing prior works that we deeply love, we can promise that ‘Mirror Traffic’ is the album that ties together Stephen’s skill-set like none of its predecessors. The recording is nothing short of gorgeous, the songs crackling with confidence. Calling this an album of the year candidate is really selling the record and the talented ensemble behind it short — what’s so special about this year, anyway?

It is with regret — and deep appreciation for one of our favorite players of all-time — that we can confirm ‘Mirror Traffic’ is the final Jicks album to feature the drumming of Janet Weiss. Jake Morris, best known to many of you as the drummer for The Joggers, will assume the same position in the Jicks for upcoming shows, which we’ll be announcing very soon. We’ll also get on with the business of previewing an MP3 from ‘Mirror Traffic’ on a date in the very near future.

Loved the last Jicks album. I'm sure they're releasing it on my birthday just for me.

The previous album was Real Emotional Trash:

http://www.imwan.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=21070

Stephen Malkmus teams up with Beck for new Jicks album



Stephen Malkmus has teamed up with Beck for his new album.

Hot on the heels of last year's Pavement reunion shows, he has returned to The Jicks for a new record. 'Mirror Traffic' is released on August 22 through Domino in the UK, and was recorded with Beck as producer at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles.

It is preceded by a single, 'Tigers' on August 15. You can download the track 'Senator' at DominoRecordCo.com.

Malkmus explained how the new record takes a softer approach than some of his more recent work. He said: "This record is relatively approachable. Beck and I were both burned out on the heavy rocking style, and playing to the strengths of a melody seemed like a way to go."

The full tracklisting is:

'Tigers'
'No One (Is As I Are Be)'
'Senator'
'Brain Gallop'
'Jumblegloss'
'Asking Price'
'Stick Figures In Love'
'Spazz'
'Long Hard Book'
'Share The Red'
'Tune Grief'
'Forever 28'
'All Over Gently'
'Fall Away'
'Gorgeous George'

Stephen Malkmus asks for help with ‘blowjob’

Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus has appealed to fans to help him find a radio-friendly replacement for the word ‘blowjob’, which features in the forthcoming single from Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, ‘Senator’.

Running an online competition at http://www.whatdoesthesenatorwant.com, fans are invited to suggest a new word which could fit into the line of the song: “I know what the senator wants – what the senator wants is a blowjob.”

Malkmus will then sing the winning entry on the radio edit of the single, which will be sent to radio stations in September, ahead of the single release.

The person who comes up with the winning entry, will receive a special 7” of the single, with their version on one side and the original track on the other, specially made by the band’s record label Matador. The winning entry will be revealed on September 15. The deadline for entries is August 23.

‘Senator’ is taken from the Jicks' fifth album ‘Mirror Traffic’, which was produced by Beck and is set for release on August 22.

Winner picked for Stephen Malkmus' blowjob contest

A winner has been chosen in the contest to help Stephen Malkmus find a radio-friendly replacement for the word 'blowjob', which features in the forthcoming single from Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks, 'Senator'.

Running an online competition, fans were invited to suggest a new word which could fit into the line of the song: "I know what the senator wants – what the senator wants is a blowjob".

On Tuesday (August 23), Pavement frontman Malkmus revealed the winning entry to be 'corn dog' during a show at Amoeba Records in Los Angeles. He went on to say that it was chosen as 1980s hardcore band Minutemen sometimes called themselves 'corn dogs', reports Pitchfork.

The person who came up with the winning entry, will receive a special seven-inch of the single, with their version on one side and the original track on the other, specially made by the band’s record label Matador.

'Senator' is taken from The Jicks' fifth album, 'Mirror Traffic', which was produced by Beck and was released at the start of this week.

Of the new album, Malkmus says:

Jack Black takes starring role in new Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks video – watch

Comedian, actor and Tenacious D member Jack Black has taken a starring role in the new Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks video for their single ‘Senator’. Scroll down to watch the video.

Appearing as the titular sleazy politician, Black wields a cattle prod before coming to a messy end as an uninvited house party guest.

A winner was recently chosen in the contest to help Stephen Malkmus find a radio-friendly replacement for the word 'blowjob', which features in 'Senator'.

Running an online competition, fans were invited to suggest a new word which could fit into the line of the song: "I know what the senator wants – what the senator wants is a blowjob".

Malkmus revealed the winning entry to be 'corn dog' during a show at Amoeba Records in Los Angeles. He went on to say that it was chosen as 1980s hardcore band Minutemen sometimes called themselves 'corn dogs', reports Pitchfork.

'Senator' is taken from The Jicks' fifth album, 'Mirror Traffic', which was produced by Beck and was released this summer.