Traditional Techniques
by Stephen Malkmus
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2020
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. The Observer (UK)
    Mar 9, 2020
    60
    The more direct songs work best – most notably the simmering Shadowbanned and the contrastingly carefree bonus track Juliefuckingette – but there is just as much to enjoy in the album’s hinterlands too.
  2. 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.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.    … Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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