Former Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus will release his third solo album May 24 via Matador. The 11-track “Face the Truth” includes the track “It Kills,” a live version of which was recorded with his backing band, the Jicks, and released last fall on Matador’s “At Fifteen” compilation.
“I did more of it myself, a little bit like the old Pavement records,” Malkmus told Billboard.com last September. “Because the studio was in my basement, I took the helm. I pretty much engineered it myself; punching in with my toe, Todd Rundgren-style.”
A Matador spokesperson says the Jicks appear on four songs on the record, with bassist Joanna Bolme and drummer John Moen also contributing to some songs individually. Malkmus said last year that Moen “is featured quite prominently on a lot of stuff [like] backing harmonies. He did a great job.”
“Face the Truth” the follow-up to 2003’s “Pig Lib,” which debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. Because Malkmus is soon to become a first-time father, he will not tour extensively in support of the set but is confirmed to appear March 18 in Austin, Texas, as part of Matador’s showcase at the South by Southwest Music Festival.
In other news, Malkmus will appear on the first album in four years from Silver Jews, which is led by longtime friend/collaborator David Berman. The 15-track Drag City set will also feature guest spots by former Pavement members Bob Nastanovich and Steve West, singer/songwriter Bobby Bare Jr., former Jesus Lizard guitarist Duane Denison and vocalist Azita, among others.
Here is the track list for “Face the Truth”:
“Invisible Bodies”
“Baby C’mon”
“Horslip”
“Mmmmm…”
“Loud Cloud Crowd”
“No More Shoes”
“Mama”
“Malediction”
“Pencil Rot”
“It Kills”
“I’ve Hardly Been”
Source billboard.com.
