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#666: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Jenny & the Ess-Dog

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Near the end of Stephen Malkmus’ first album as a ‘solo’ artist is ‘Jenny & the Ess-Dog’ – a tale of two people who couldn’t be further apart on the social spectrum in terms of age (Jenny is just 18, the Ess-Dog (Sean) is 31) and upbringing but ultimately like each other enough to have a sweet relationship.

They listen to Dire Straits’ Brothers in Arms album together and buy a pet – a dog – as some couples tend to do. Unfortunately, Jenny goes to college and the relationship eventually fizzles out leaving the two individuals to embark on their separate journeys.

The song is very easy-going and upbeat in its delivery, driven by a climbing/falling vocal melody backed by warm, sunny guitars and child-like keyboard patterns that guide each verse along. ‘Jenny’ is another track on the album that I always felt mirrored the freedom that Malkmus felt upon the split of Pavement in 1999. There was no track like this on Terror Twilight, and I guess he felt that he could with ease with the burden of his old band off his shoulders. This could have been a radio hit if he wanted it to be.

Its music video above has nothing to do with its lyrics as is the usual for a lot of Malkmus-related music videos though that shouldn’t take anything away from the song’s quality. Charming in its own strange way.

My iPod #254: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks – Deado

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“Deado” is the last track on Stephen Malkmus’ first ‘solo’ album after his former band Pavement split up. The term ‘solo’ doesn’t really count though; “Stephen Malkmus” was recorded by the band he formed immediately after, known by the name of The Jicks. Malkmus wanted to release it under the band’s name but the record label ‘insisted’ that he release it under his own. On iTunes and any other music service, you can only find the album under Stephen Malkmus, but I will label it under the group’s actual name whenever I do a song from this album.

When listening to the album for the first time, I couldn’t help but notice Malkmus’ enthusiasm in his vocals compared to those in Pavement’s last album “Terror Twilight”. From sounding like a guy who wrote his songs and sang them just to get them over and done with, he sounded more confident – ready to embrace the challenge of doing something new – and as a result the album is quite upbeat and fun, with some laid-back parts here and there.

“Deado” is very laid-back. The acoustic guitars, various synthesizer noises and sound effects and the double-tracked vocal give the song a hazy and ethereal feel. It’s the track that plays when relaxing and sitting in a chair in your back garden, or sinking your head into the pillow when you’re about to go to bed. Soothing stuff to the ears.

Lyrically, I haven’t a clue what it’s about. My interpretation of it is that, somehow, it is from the Ess-Dog’s point of view after becoming estranged from Jen who is referred to in the chorus (Listen to the preceding track “Jenny & the Ess-Dog” for more information). Apart from that… nah-I couldn’t tell you. The song ends with a minute ‘reprise’ of another song from the album “Vague Space” before fading to silence, bringing to a fine debut album to a close.