Stephen Malkmus, "Hamburger Serenade" -- the anticipation thread

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"we did indeed finninsh the danish record before xmas. its the best yet they say and its going by the title "Hamburger Serenade" right now. it could change. there are very little plans for touring. i plan to play at sxsw in march with some sort of weird unit-john moen has other commitments.

we are looking at an early may release but i need cover ideas. jessica hutchins is working on it and i was think of asking another artist i met at a party who lives in trinidad. maybe i should just do it myself"

No, four months is NOT too earlier to start anticipating this. But I sure as hell hope he comes up with a better title.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 10 January 2005 17:45 (twenty years ago)

ugh. make it stop.

― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 10 January 2005 17:47 (twenty years ago)

You could always just pretend this thread doesn't exist.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 10 January 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

But I sure as hell hope he comes up with a better title.
-- Raymond Cummings (gracefulas...), January 10th, 2005.

not as good as sweedish reggae but kinda like it. just hope the cover doesnt contain something as chessy as waitress being seranaded by a hamburger or something

― jb, Monday, 10 January 2005 17:59 (twenty years ago)

I guess the title is okay, but I'm sure he can come up with something better. One of the song titles that was going around was "Kindling For The Master" - that would be a good album title.

Either way, I'm very psyched for this. I like the new songs a lot, especially "Malediction."

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Monday, 10 January 2005 18:07 (twenty years ago)

The songs he played at All Tomorrow's Parties a couple months ago were great - tight and poppy. I remember "Maker of Modern Masterpieces" standing out as fun.

― Chuckling at the Tomkat's Marquee (Ben Boyer), Monday, 10 January 2005 18:08 (twenty years ago)

I really hope that he does the artwork himself. He's a very gifted visual artist, people don't usually talk about that.

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Monday, 10 January 2005 18:15 (twenty years ago)

Woo! I'm quite fond of the title, in an odd way. Like... as an ode to mass consumer culture. It'll only work if there is a love song about a hamburger, though.

Somebody tell him to do the cover himself.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Monday, 10 January 2005 18:17 (twenty years ago)

It makes me think of sweet romance at a McDonalds. Someone proposing marriage to someone who is eating a quarter pounder with cheese.

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Monday, 10 January 2005 18:22 (twenty years ago)

I strongly think it should be about the burger itself, and how it doesn't taste real, but how that's actually kinda good.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Monday, 10 January 2005 18:23 (twenty years ago)

But I guess there could be marriage, too. Fake marriage, that tastes so sweeet! Ok, I'll stop.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Monday, 10 January 2005 18:24 (twenty years ago)

That is awesome. Great news. Pig Lib is my favorite thing he's done since Crooked Rain. Maybe this will be his After the Gold Rush.

― Nanker Phelge, Monday, 10 January 2005 18:32 (twenty years ago)

Am I alone in wanting him to go (relatively) lo-fi? Aren't we about due for a lo-fi revival?

― Derek Krissoff (Derek), Monday, 10 January 2005 18:43 (twenty years ago)

You're not alone.

But: am I alone in wanting this to be a long, long record, possibly a two-disc extravaganza?

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

am I alone in wanting this to be a long, long record, possibly a two-disc extravaganza?

I'm rooting for a two-track single. Or maybe just a one-track radio copy.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 13:20 (twenty years ago)

Like two twenty-minute tracks? Hmmm.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

No, a 2:30 little jingle would be plenty, thanks.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:33 (twenty years ago)

Paul, you know I'm teasing.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:37 (twenty years ago)

I hate the title. "Hamburglar Serenade" would have been genius.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

and Pig Lib is my fave since Wowee Zowee, so I am curious - despite wanting to run screaming from the title.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

I mean seriously, loan that shit to TMBG.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:40 (twenty years ago)

I'm still kinda pissed that "Swedish Reggae" was scrapped as a title. What was so wrong with it that the Matador brass talked him out of using it?

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:41 (twenty years ago)

I dunno. I can see Hamburger Serenade being the title if the cover art is retro in a Herb Alpert style. Lots of browns and oranges.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

I'd be willing to bet that when this thing is released, the title will not be "Hamburger Serenade".

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:43 (twenty years ago)

Did he ever explain what "Pig Lib" means?

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

This will fit quite nicely in my collection next to "Cheesburger in Paradise."

"Hamburglar Serenade
feat. da Grimace.

― Ken L (Ken L), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:44 (twenty years ago)

Hamburger Serenade = "New Slang" by The Shins.

PIG + LIB was a scrabble play.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:45 (twenty years ago)

I'm sort of rooting for III. Worked for Zep.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:45 (twenty years ago)

"I dunno. I can see Hamburger Serenade being the title if the cover art is retro in a Herb Alpert style. Lots of browns and oranges."

For no reason I can see, I am now imagining an album cover where SM is stretched out on a hot frying pan, surrounded by chunks of ground beef.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:46 (twenty years ago)

I'm happy with Malkmus albums being pretty short and tight, Ray. 11-14 songs is fine.

I don't think Pig Lib really has a meaning. It just sounds good.

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

Wowee Zowee, Matthew, Wowee Zowee. I miss that long, winding, genius song-cycle effect.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:48 (twenty years ago)

Don't you want to save that for when Pavement gets back together in 4 years?

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:49 (twenty years ago)

Do you really think that's gonna happen? And that if ir does, it'll be anywhere near as good as it was in the mid-90s?

I ask these questions in part because I'm unsure of the answers, myself.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:51 (twenty years ago)

Well, if they pick up where Terror Twilight left off, it'll hold very little interest for me. Still not a fan of that record after six years.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:54 (twenty years ago)

Gary Young was Pavement's Syd Barrett. Wowee Zowee was their Wish You Were Here.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:55 (twenty years ago)

Most fans, if they're being honest with themselves, will agree with you. Even Brighten The Corners was more consistent, in its own way.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:55 (twenty years ago)

http://www.derekeller.com/jessicahutchins.html

Okay, time to get back to work. I'm posting way too much here.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:57 (twenty years ago)

Pumpkin, I saw that exhibit in March... wtf!

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 16:59 (twenty years ago)

Gary Young was Pavement's Syd Barrett.

Strangely enough, this seems to be true. I think the only way I'd be interested in a Pavement reunion is if they brought back Gary.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:03 (twenty years ago)

Am I the only one baffled by the Gary-love?

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:08 (twenty years ago)

It's very simple really: they did their best work when he was in the band.

― o. nate (onate), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:12 (twenty years ago)

xpost:
Nope.

― Ken L (Ken L), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:13 (twenty years ago)

Most fans, if they're being honest with themselves, will agree with you. Even Brighten The Corners was more consistent, in its own way.
-- Raymond Cummings (gracefulas...), January 11th, 2005 11:55 AM. (Raymond Cummings) (link)

Well, BtC is actually my favorite Pavement record. Can't explain why, though. Wish I could.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:23 (twenty years ago)

Re: Gary - I'm afraid that makes absolutely no sense to me. I mean, I like that stuff a lot, but I could never say it was their best.

And especially not for the reason of Gary. I mean, I don't understand why he's like this mystical figure for Pavement fans who just want another Slanted (not saying that's you, but it's a general indie thing that always seems to prevail). Every single scene I've ever known has somebody exactly like him, and they're all just as frustrating - albeit interestingly flawed - people.

If they ever did reform with him, though, I guarentee he would look and behave in exactly the same way.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:26 (twenty years ago)

Gary Young is interesting and cool, but I'm a lot more sentimental about the post-CRCR line-up with Westy and Nastanovich. I'm sure that they'll do a reunion tour sometime in the next five or six years, and it will be as the classic five piece rather than the original S+E era line-up.

Brighten The Corners is so underrated! It's just as classic as the first three albums, but in a more subtle sort of way.

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:45 (twenty years ago)

Too subtle for me (though I love about half of it).

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

Following the REM-Pavement trajectory this album should be his Automatic For The People.

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:48 (twenty years ago)

"Old To Begin" = the most underrated song in the Pavement catalog.

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:50 (twenty years ago)

though that trajectory got fucked when Terror failed to be their Document.

(x-post I'll help keep it that way)

― miccio (miccio), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:51 (twenty years ago)

I listen to Brighten the Corners the most out of all the albums, even if I could never say it's my favourite. But I certainly appreciate it's subtleties, and it always evokes a wonderful mood for me.

To be honest, they're all my favourites, depending on the time of year. I just know I've listened to that one most. In the Autumn.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Tuesday, 11 January 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 157 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

the eight-minute epic "No More Shoes,"

tee hee. a sequel to "no more kings," ya think?

― stockholm cindy's secret childhood (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 8 February 2005 14:35 (twenty years ago)

i think he's setting himself up for critics to say "FACE THE TRUTH MALKMUS SUCKS DO YOU SEE"

― stockholm cindy's secret childhood (Jody Beth Rosen), Tuesday, 8 February 2005 14:37 (twenty years ago)

The solo live version that I have of "No More Shoes" is kind of a somber folky number that reminds me a bit of "Witch Mountain Bridge," "1% of One" and "Stop Breathin'"

― Matthew "Flux" Perpetua, Tuesday, 8 February 2005 14:43 (twenty years ago)

This sounds exactly like what I want to hear - I really got into the spaced-out proggier moments on Pig Lib, it's a real smoking album.

― dog latin (dog latin), Tuesday, 8 February 2005 19:54 (twenty years ago)

http://www.matadorrecords.com/images/stephen_malkmus/stephen_malkmus_11.jpg

― Broken Hipster (Broken Hipster), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 10:41 (twenty years ago)

I would so kiss him.

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 17:44 (twenty years ago)

i'm convinced he and kyle maclachlan are becoming the same person:

http://dolshouse.com/queensmen/image/kyleMacLachlan_Vespa_321778_400.jpg

― stockholm cindy's secret childhood (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 17:47 (twenty years ago)

Isn't that pic of Malky a couple of years old (looking smug as usual)?

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 17:49 (twenty years ago)

Smug, or staring at a ceiling fan?

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 18:14 (twenty years ago)

Is "and" an option?

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 18:16 (twenty years ago)

It's an ironic ceiling fan.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 18:28 (twenty years ago)

"Ceiling" fan

― Broken Hipster (Broken Hipster), Wednesday, 9 February 2005 19:09 (twenty years ago)

P-Fork had the titles all wrong. This is the list of songs (not sure if they are in order) according to the official Malkmus site:

pencil rot
it kills
murder at the yoga olympics
freeze the saints
loud cloud crowd
no more shoes
mama
kindling 4 the master
post paint boy
baby c'mon
malediction

Much better titles in this version. And "Kindling For The Master" remains!

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Monday, 21 February 2005 03:56 (twenty years ago)

Brighten the Corners.

― dog latin (dog latin), Monday, 21 February 2005 14:54 (twenty years ago)

From the songs that I've heard (about half of them at this point), it kinda IS like BTC II.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Monday, 21 February 2005 15:11 (twenty years ago)

Do you really want to hurt me?

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 21 February 2005 15:37 (twenty years ago)

If I end up liking this album, I'll eat Raymond's shoe.

― Johnny Fever (johnny fever), Monday, 21 February 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

Dude, I wear size 15s!

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Monday, 21 February 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

NO MORE SIZE 15s

― talkymalky, Monday, 21 February 2005 19:50 (twenty years ago)

From the songs that I've heard (about half of them at this point), it kinda IS like BTC II.

Ah that'll be great.

― Ludo (Ludo), Monday, 21 February 2005 20:47 (twenty years ago)

three weeks pass...

The first single is up on iTunes: "Post-Paint Boy." Anybody heard it yet? The 30 seconds sound promising... I'm going to go buy some Pepsis until I get a free iTune.

― Bent Over at the Arclight (Bent Over at the Arclight), Thursday, 17 March 2005 00:31 (twenty years ago)

who the hell is steven malkmus and the maroons?

― mitch dub (ano ano), Thursday, 17 March 2005 00:42 (twenty years ago)

???

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Thursday, 17 March 2005 00:59 (twenty years ago)

Sounds very nice and easygoing. "Post-Paint Boy" = "Makers Of Modern" for those familiar with the live version.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:08 (twenty years ago)

mike clark of the jicks (gtr/synth) is also in the maroons.

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:08 (twenty years ago)

I kinda wish that they had picked "Malediction" for this instead. I'm very excited to hear how that one turned out in the studio. I can't imagine this song getting people all that psyched for the new album. It's a good album track, but not much of a single compared to other songs that will be on the record.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:11 (twenty years ago)

actually i think the other guy (john?) is too... i've never heard their music, mike kept a pretty good tour diary on the maroons site though if that's your sort of thing..?

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:11 (twenty years ago)

beebs you are so creepy about song orders and setlists and single choices!!! why do you care, just enjoy the record (sorry, mp3s).

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:12 (twenty years ago)

Well, I'd like for the record to do well! Having a good single helps a lot, especially for an artist like Malkmus who has to deal with an audience that's a little blase about his new material. I can't blame anyone for not being wowed by this song, though it is pretty good.

The setlist thing is a whole other thing. I'm just really interested in how different bands put on a show. I definitely think some people are better at it than others - it often gives you some insight in how an artist thinks of their own work, and what their perceived stengths and weaknesses are. Sometimes they are right on, and sometimes I think they are totally oblivious to what their best work is.

Yeah, John Moen plays with the Maroons too. He's been in a lot of bands.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:19 (twenty years ago)

http://heat.iwarp.com/Sounds/greatass.wav

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:23 (twenty years ago)

their name brings up bad associations with maroon 5 and barenaked ladies album titles.

― sexy waitress connie stevens (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:25 (twenty years ago)

In fairness, the Maroons have been around a little while longer than Maroon 5 has been famous. I wouldn't be surprised if they've encountered some amusing confusion as a result of that band's success.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:29 (twenty years ago)

but why are they steven (sic) malkmus and the maroons on (in?) the itunes store?

― mitch dub (ano ano), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:31 (twenty years ago)

I have no idea. The record isn't credited to him, so it might just be working as a sort of "file under" thing, to direct Jicks fans to a record including members of the Jicks.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:34 (twenty years ago)

why does gygax call perpetua "beebs" upthread?

― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 17 March 2005 01:59 (twenty years ago)

http://members.fortunecity.com/filmcity/heat/greatass.wav

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 17 March 2005 02:10 (twenty years ago)

that doesn't answer my question.

― cutty (mcutt), Thursday, 17 March 2005 02:14 (twenty years ago)

Listen to the words he's NOT saying.

― Jimmy Mod Has Returned With Spices And Silks (ModJ), Thursday, 17 March 2005 02:19 (twenty years ago)

Beebs = nickname for "the bbc" which was my handle on a message board Gygax and I were on about six or seven years ago.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 02:42 (twenty years ago)

That doesn't sound like Malkmus singing on that "Maroons" track at all.

I just made the connection that the painter that Malkmus is singing about is the same guy whose art was heavily featured in "Closer."

― Bent Over at the Arclight (Bent Over at the Arclight), Thursday, 17 March 2005 08:04 (twenty years ago)

Arrrrrgh. Need to hear this song.

If it was in a shop, I'd buy it. Damn you, itunes!

Or rather, damn you, maxed out debit card!

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Thursday, 17 March 2005 15:12 (twenty years ago)

Swangy, relax, I got you covered.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 16:09 (twenty years ago)

*breathes*

― Suedey (John Cei Douglas), Thursday, 17 March 2005 16:22 (twenty years ago)

Malkmus is playing NYC soon, unfortunately at Irving Plaza.

― S!monB!rch (Carey), Thursday, 17 March 2005 21:23 (twenty years ago)

That's a shame - that place has terrible sound. It's been a while since I've seen Malkmus though. Last time I saw him was at Bowery Ballroom, which demolishes Irving Plaza soundwise.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 17 March 2005 21:31 (twenty years ago)

The tickets for the Irving Plaza are on sale now.

I'm not crazy about that venue, but it's very convenient for me in terms of location and curfew time, so I can't complain.

― Matthew C Perpetua (inca), Thursday, 17 March 2005 21:39 (twenty years ago)

Too bad the show's on June 7 - I think I'm going to be out of town then. Otherwise I'd probably go.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 17 March 2005 21:43 (twenty years ago)

three years pass...

i really wish he had kept this title. it always made me think of this little guy.
http://www.sptimesphotos.com/blogs/popmusic/uploaded_images/better_off_dead-762094.jpg

― mizzell, Tuesday, 1 April 2008 16:46 (seventeen years ago)

I prefer Savage Steve Holland to Savage Steve Malkmus and the Maroons

― Savannah Smiles, Tuesday, 1 April 2008 17:22 (seventeen years ago)

Title made me think this was an April Fools thread.

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Tuesday, 1 April 2008 19:29 (seventeen years ago)

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