Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks: 144 - 2014

144
20140413 KEXP Radio broadcast
The janitor revealed
Shibboleth
Lariat
J Smoov

The next morning they're in KEXP studios with Steve Zoom. Great sound on this session, very immediate. Today catches the Jicks at a good time – all the benefits of touring experience, but no jadedness or fatigue. They're wrapping up the tour, and are looking forward to spring break vacation. Besides, it's a lovely sunny Sunday – that's what Steve Zoom tells us.

All four tracks are good takes – 'Shibboleth' is slow as molasses, but it's a nice alternate version. The two highlights are 'The janitor revealed' and 'J Smoov'. 'Janitor''s got all the subtlety a fairly complex song needs (though I don't agree with Stephen that it's three songs in one – that's just the chorus, two songs tops), but it's got more attack than the album version. 'J Smoov' is just wonderful, very different from the album, with VU-style rhythm guitar melodies popping up, wonderful piano playing and a long, intense solo.

I'm still a bit dissapointed they went through a whole promotion tour without playing any songs not on the album at any session, but this is good.