Sitting half way between being a solo star and a full member of a band, Stephen Malkmus (and Matador Records) are emphasizing that the new album is band effort. The Jicks, made up from bassist Joanna Bolme and drummer John Moen, have made "significant contributions" to the songs on the album, the follow up to Malkmus' 2001 self-titled solo debut which, even in the US has only sold 67,000 copies.
Although a full track list has yet to be finalized, over the summer Malkmus said that songs included 'Doctor Drop' 'Do Not Feed the Oysters' 'The Calories' 'Vanessa From Queens' and 'Chromatic Advisor' among others.
As previously reported, Malkmus (and now it seems The Jicks also) will curate the first American East Coast edition of All Tomorrow's Parties scheduled for September 2003 at two venues located in Asbury Park in New York. No artists have yet been announced.
Meanwhile, Pavement are back thanks to Matador's recent 'expanded reissue' of their 1992 debut, 'Slanted and Enchanted' along with the 'Slow Century' DVD.