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Traditional Techniques
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Traditional Techniques Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest full-length solo release for the Pavement co-founder features a 12-string acoustic guitar.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. AllMusic
    Mar 6, 2020
    90
    Traditional Techniques feels starkly openhearted and relaxed, which means that the album can surprise emotionally even if it is firmly rooted within his musical wheelhouse.
  2. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 10, 2020
    85
    Traditional Techniques is an album completely out of time — a folk(ish) record about the present day that might be one of the most future-proof of his career.
  3. Q Magazine
    Mar 10, 2020
    80
    One of the finest of his career. [May 2020, p.109]
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  4. Pitchfork
    Mar 6, 2020
    77
    While Traditional Techniques easily succeeds as a curiosity, its songs continue to delight after the novelty wears off. The most surprising thing about the album isn’t how far Malkmus has strayed from his comfort zone. It’s how at home he sounds there.
  5. musicOMH.com
    Mar 11, 2020
    70
    Traditional Techniques is neither a revelation nor a disaster, it’s neither a winner nor is it a loser. Simply put, this is a very, very niche record that will likely sink, never to be seen again, as soon as Pavement step foot on the Primavera Sound stage in June (coronavirus permitting). But if you were to give it a few spins, who knows where it might end up taking you?
  6. DIY Magazine
    Mar 5, 2020
    70
    It’s taken him the best part of 20 years, but with ‘Traditional Techniques’ Stephen Malkmus has finally come up with the blueprint for slacker escape.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 6, 2020
    60
    In some ways ‘Traditional Tools’ is a welcome return to form, but the album isn’t nearly as innovative or as introspective as it makes itself out to be.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Awhofan1
    Feb 14, 2021
    8
    A quite surprisingly personal and emotionally driven album from one of the most important songwriters of the last three decades and while heA quite surprisingly personal and emotionally driven album from one of the most important songwriters of the last three decades and while he is known for writing more observational lyrics and songs (especially during his time leading Pavement) that are more reflective of his world around him and the absurdity of the music industry as a whole while never going to deep personally in the past. "Traditional Techniques" is a massive outlier in Malkmus' discography as it shows you the vulnerable and tender side of this man's music while also balancing the heavy folk influence of the album with a cleverly utilized mix of electronic elements with the texture and atmosphere of the album once one peels back the instantly recognizable folk elements. Overall a very good album that shows the maturation of one of the most influential musicians in recent music history.… Expand
  2. Dizzyd2323
    Apr 7, 2020
    8
    Stephen Malkmus with a quick return after last years "Groove Denied" but this time with an acoustic approach. TT captures me by the uniqueStephen Malkmus with a quick return after last years "Groove Denied" but this time with an acoustic approach. TT captures me by the unique blending of approachable yet experimental chords and lyrics. The album may take a few listens to hit, but its worthwhile to be patient.… Expand
  4. Lajaleaa
    May 4, 2020
    7
    ( 73/100 )

    A un año de haber publicado "Groove Denied", un albúm con cierta energía y algo juguetón, Malkmus da un brinco atrás al decidir    ( 73/100 )

    A un año de haber publicado "Groove Denied", un albúm con cierta energía y algo juguetón, Malkmus da un brinco atrás al decidir quedarse en el lado natural de su música. El problema no es la precencia de lo acustico, sino la ausencia de cratividad, energía e intensidad que necesita la música para no ser aburrida o monotona. No digo que "Traditional Techniques" sea aburrido y monótono pero está muy cerca de ser invisible por el simple hecho de tener una producción, a cargo de Chris Funk, muy cotidiana, blanda añeja.
    -
    After one year of publishing "Groove Denied", an album with certain energy and kind of playful, Malkmus has given a jump back by deciding to stay in the natural side of his music. The problem is not the presence of the acoustic, but the absence of creativity, energy, and intensity that music needs for it not to be boring or monotonous. It is not that "Tradicional Techniques" is boring or monotonous, but is close to being invisible for the fact of having a production, in charge of Chris Funk, very regular, stale, and soft.    … Expand
  5. Lifeisbellablog
    Apr 19, 2020
    4
    I liked the musical backing and the instrumentation, but I just can't get past the vocals and lyrics. The vocals were way too raw for me andI liked the musical backing and the instrumentation, but I just can't get past the vocals and lyrics. The vocals were way too raw for me and the lyrics felt pretty amateur, in my opinion. The songs all sound pretty similar, there's not much contrast and there's no stand out songs that I particularly liked. This album was just not for me.… Expand

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