Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Real Emotional Trash

"I am not a present to be opened up and parceled out again," our man insists on "Gardenia," track seven of his new album. Ha! That's what you think, pal. From the day nearly two decades ago when the first scratchy sounds of Pavement floated in the ether above Stockton (crown jewel of California's Central Valley), the music of Stephen Malkmus has been the gift that keeps on keepin' on. These songs may sprawl like the Central Valley, they may spread out like a jet's flame, but when they reach that last tract house they gracefully spread their wings and head for the unclaimed land beyond.