Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks with Beck - "Senator"

"On August 23, 2011, Matador [USA] * 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, 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."

- The Good People @ Matador/Domino

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Senator"

Stephen Malkmus on the Almost-Pop sound: "This record is relatively approachable." (1)
"Beck & I were both burned out on the heavy rocking style... and playing to the strengths of a melody seemed like a way to go." (2)

* August 22 for Domino, UK