On his third album in three years, Stephen Malkmus ventures to traditional folk music. These songs are delicate, lush, and timeless, showing how versatile the indie rock veteran is.
Indie rock veteran Stephen Malkmus is an individual that needs not too much of an introduction. The man has amounted a collection of highly acclaimed indie rock records from his time fronting the band Pavement during the 90's and early 2000's, while releasing numerous acclaimed solo releases by himself or with his band, The Jicks. All while being regarded as one of the best ever to do indie rock while introducing it to the wider public, Malkmus really doesn't have to prove himself anymore. But, over the past three years, he has in fact released three records that are career-defying and risk taking, to a point where Malkmus seems to be not afraid to try anything. In 2018, the indie through The Jick's Sparkle Hard massed strings, playful Americana, and sometimes autotune vocals (a blissful year-end highlight for me at the time). In 2019, Malkmus went full James Murphy and provided a collection of fully experimental electronic techno tunes on Groove Denied, which had fully resonated with fans of LCD Soundsystem and the other indie-tronica that swept the 2000's. In 2020, Malkmus has decided to do yet another 180 by releasing a traditional folk rock record titled Traditional Techniques. Out of the three, this one may in fact be the most consistent record stylistically.
Malkmus sounds like a well seasoned folk singer songwriter on Traditional Techniques. He also sounds like he's been releasing folk songs for years which he hasn't (he's dabbled in it in the past, but never this full-on before). The record itself sounds delicate, gorgeous, and lush, containing elements of pedal-steel, acoustic guitar, vintage-sounding female backing vocals (and some banjo, maybe?). The songs themselves sound like they could've been made years ago instrumentally. Lyrically, it's a 2020 mindset for Malkmus. Take "Shadowbanned," the album's best single, which features memorable lines like "sky high on reddit karma fly" and "may the word be spread via cracked emoji." Pretty modern, wouldn't you say? "Xian Man" has a very tongue and cheek message of simply claiming to be the best: "I'm Miles Davis better than any of you."
Many of the best moments for me are when the instrumentation transforms into pure bliss, wether it be from a guitar solo, flute breakdown, or stunning backing vocal delivery. The album's opener, "ACC Kirtan" is an excellent example of an instrumental stunner, with some flute, guitars, and vocals morphing and enveloping the listener more and more as the song progresses within its six minute runtime. The guitars on "The Greatest Own In Legal History" sway and gently lull you to sleep (in the best way possible). I also love the woodwind or flute that pops out at the listener on "What Kind of Person," which sounds like the most explosive thing on the record (if you can even call it "explosive"). "Signal Western" is great western guitar music, reminding me of William Tyler's recent guitar works in the similar sound.
Overall, I found myself to really enjoy this album through and through. It's still a shocker to me that Stephen Malkmus put out three completely different records in three years, each being boldly risk-taking and completely different genres in their own right. Malkmus really has pulled it off though, providing excellence in Americana/indie, electronica and now traditional folk this time around. Like Malkmus really needs another sign of recognition at this point in his career, but this is definitely a late-career crowning achievement nonetheless (a triple crown, maybe?). Traditional Techniques shouldn't be shied away from by any means, being another stunner in the ever growing Malkmus discography, which has spanned for decades now. If anything, it proves once again how talented and versatile Stephen Malkmus is as a songwriter, musician, and performer.
My Rating: 7 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Shadowbanned," "ACC Kirtan," "Xian Man," "What Kind of Person"
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