Saw Malkmus and the Jicks last Wednesday...

...and, being my second show of the week (Wilco was Sunday night), I doubt I'll ever see two in one week again. I'm paying for it in spades.

The band did a nice job, and we were basically right in front of the stage, or more importantly, right in front of Joanna Bolme, their bassist.

I don't have the entire setlist, but fans will certainly recognize some of these tunes they played;

All Over Gently
Senator
Brain Gallop
Baby Come On
Long Hard Book
Tigers
No One Is
Forever 28
Spazz
Share the Red
Asking Price
Stick Figures in Love

Yes, I got some pictures too.

Nice pics though Swisheroo...

I have my iPod on shuffle this afternoon. In the past I put a whole bunch of RR comps on my iPod so that when I listen on shuffle suprising stuff comes up. It's really quite fun! Anyhow, I'm jamming along to this great song that I don't recognize this afternoon, really enjoying it. So I look at my iPod and it's a tune called Hopscotch Willy by Stephen Malkmus.

Good stuff. I should probably check out some more.

I've only spun Mirror Traffic once myself, but right out of the gate this one seems to be a return to his Pavement roots in that he's lightened up a bit. I saw the album title Mirror Traffic and thought to myself, "oh lord, he's made another Neil Young album" but am pleased with the lighter touch on this one. Not that it doesn't rock or is even all that polished, but not unlike recent Wilco, he's more focused on hooks and melody and less veering off into grinding meander. Its not as though he has less to say either, as Mirror Traffic is just as long as the last one (Real Emotional Trash) but with nearly twice as many tracks.

Man, "Dynamic Calories" is such a good song. That's all I got.

~Rae