Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Sparkle Hard
For nigh on thirty years, Stephen Malkmus has been charting a singular musical course with Pavement, Silver Jews and, latterly, the Jicks. On this, the seventh LP with the Jicks, the trademark Malkmus traits are all in place: clever, witty, surreal and sometimes disquieting lyrics - he’s coming out the execution tree or rubber bullets for the clown, it’s slug eat slug? - delivered over off-kilter, wonky, sometimes slapdash alt.rock.
Although timeless, the music has a 60s San Francisco vibe, more in feel than delivery. Underneath the woozy, wonkiness, there is a pop sensibility. Listening outside on a gorgeously sunny bank holiday Sunday, the likes of Solid Silk, the Krautrock of Bike Lane and Difficulties Let Them Eat Vowels are just about perfect. So, if this is so perfect for summer, why does it rate a 7? Earlier in the week, when the weather was dismally cold and wet, this just didn’t work for me. As a good weather, spring into summer album, this is a cracker but, for the rest in the time - which, let’s face it, is most of the time here - I don’t think it’ll get that many plays from me.
7/10
