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Mirror Traffic - Stephen Malkmus
Mirror Traffic Image
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

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10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Pavement frontman releases his latest rock album with The Jicks, produced by Beck.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. All Music Guide
    Aug 23, 2011
    90
    For as relaxed as Mirror Traffic is, there is real structure to the songs and clarity to the production, two things that turn it into Malkmus' most satisfying solo album to date.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 23, 2011
    88
    Traffic is a handy metaphor for the album; it's a gorgeously orchestrated mess.
  3. NOW Magazine
    Sep 6, 2011
    60
    Casually clever lyrics, gloriously fuzzy guitar leads and that immediately identifiable off-kilter pop genius dominate.

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. ActionBasterd
    9
    Originally named L.A. guns, Mirror Traffic was recorded before Malkmus went on a reunion tour with Pavement in 2010. Beck joined Malkmus in the studio as a producer to bring this album to some kind of 90’s nostalgia feeling. Beck and Malkmus working together could be every hipster’s flower field frolic dream. Well at least one would propose so. But it seems, as Beck is much more of an overseer then he is featured musician. Stephen Malkmus and Beck are usually names that are dropped when it comes to 90’s slacker Indie Rock. With the success of the resurgence of Pavement, one would think Malkmus would follow with a Pavement like sound on his new solo record Mirror Traffic. In some ways it has the strangeness of Pavement’s Wowee Zowee, but doesn’t lose sight of its maturity that he is build upon since Pavement’s breakup in 1999. Also like Wowee Zowee, it has number of tracks on it. It’s very similar to his melodic poppy 2005 album, Face the Truth. Unlike his previous albums its tracks are short in length compare to the lengthy guitar jams tracks on his last album, Real Emotional Trash. It opens with the track “Tigers”, a catchy psychedelic pop little tune hooks the listener into the album. It is also the second single of this album and probably one the better songs on the album. “No One is (As Are I Be)”, starts lazing about with a slow but pleasant pace then going into the third track and first single, “Senator”. It blasts on with that hard rock sound and wailing guitar riffs glistening with a clear political statement reassured me that the album was going to be filled with different tastes and styles of Malkmus. “Brain Gallop” and “ Stick Figures in Love” both had similar wailing nostalgic guitar riffs that could be compared to Pavement. “Spazz” and “Tune Grief” both have The Replacements post punk influence sound to it. “ Long Hard Book” makes good use of lap steel guitar to give it that droning Velvet Underground sound. There is tonal switch in styles between songs but it doesn’t in such a way that is never bothersome. The album is aloof to its self but still maintains cohesiveness that it works. Like most albums I have listen into the past, it has that big issue with fizzling out towards the end of the album. Like the last track “Gorgeous Georgie”, it is clearly the weakest track on the album. For such an eclectic album Mirror Traffic is, I felt it could have used a stronger closer than that song or cut the song completely out. Beck and Malkmus first collaboration was a pretty solid success. The production value on the album is pretty crystal clear. For both of their music labeled slacker 90’s rock, that is the least non-slacker slacker album to come out of both of them. Although the album is very easy and accessible to listen to if you are having lazy day. It is without a doubt one Stephen Malkmus’s finer and addictively catchy solo albums he has put thus far.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. j30
    8
    Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks' "Mirror Traffic" is one of the best albums of 2011. Stephen Malkmus' lyrics are great (as always), the music is solid, and Beck is turning into one hell of a producer (See Charlotte Gainsbourg's "IRM" and Thurston Moore's "Demolished Thoughts" both excellent releases).… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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