Traditional Techniques
by Stephen Malkmus
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Mar 6, 2020
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
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  1. 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 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    ( 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
  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 unique blending of approachable yet experimental chords and lyrics. The album may take a few listens to hit, but its worthwhile to be patient.
  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 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.
  4. 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 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 theA 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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Under The Radar
    Jun 25, 2020
    70
    He achieves a quality record that expands his sonic palette while also retaining his unique identity.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Apr 28, 2020
    80
    There’s no stridency, special pleading or chewing of scenery, just gentle enactments. This is what folk music used to do before Volk became toxic. Malkmus represents his characters via traditional techniques. [May 2020, p.54]
  3. Paste Magazine
    Mar 18, 2020
    69
    Fans of folk and Malkmus alike will find something to love here, even if Traditional Techniques doesn’t quite make the grade.
    Read full review
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