Face the Truth
Never in his solo career has Stephen Malkmus so brazenly showcased his eclectic tendencies as he does onFace the Truth. We all know the ultra talented Indy icon is as complex as they come. Those following his prolific career from Pavement through his solo albums know he can intelligently mix up many musical styles while always managing to keep true to his core abilities. But rarely has Malkmus delivered such diversity. The electro opener, "Pencil Rot," stands oddly alone and the album kicks into gear at track two. "It Kills" opens like a plucky pop track fromPig Liband turnsTelevision-esque as the solo kicks in and lifts off into a beautiful, fuzzy landscape.  "I've Hardly Been" unfolds with a Spanish, Bizet-laden rhythmic drone that slowly fragments into a blissfully deconstructed, discordant mess. And lo-fi heads will agree that it doesn't get much better than the eight minute "No More Shoes"--which  strangely recalls disco-era Kiss (hearDynasty's "I Was Made For Lovin' You") and the guitar swaps of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. Fans of Malkmus and Pavement alike will not be disappointed.--Rob Bracco