Continued Greatness

Apropos of the question of Genius, three damn fine recording artists have all released new records within the last few months: Stephen Malkmus, Will Oldham, and Mikael Akerfeldt.

The records are as follows:

Real Emotional Trash by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks

Lie Down In The Light by Bonnie "Prince" Billy

Watershed by Opeth

The last five to six years of my life have been in many ways guided and stunted by the consistent output of these artists. More than anything, I hope to hear others' thoughts on the latest from these vets.

My $0.02 -

The solo output of Malkmus is, so it seems to me, much maligned and for the worst reason: it's not Pavement. Bollocks. I thought Pig Lib was outstanding, "It Kills" is one of the best singles ever, and his s/t record was better than solid. That said, I still expected him to start declining a little. I was completely wrong, as Real Emotional Trash might be his best shit since disbanding Pavement. He's always been a strong guitar player with a wry sense of non-performance, but I think his true strength has always been his songwriting, not his style, and I think that is just getting better and better. His lyrics and delivery are still a hurdle for a lot of people, and the fact that he records in his basement in suburbia between raising his kids and having dinner with his wife, makes some people scoff. I think he's brilliant.
Will Oldham has been one of my favorite songwriters since I heard Days In The Wake. His obsession with the Light/Dark dichotomy has come full circle with his latest, Lie Down In The Light. A far more optimistic record than its brooding sister, I See A Darkness, Lie Down In The Light shows Oldham aging but losing none of his trademark wit and quirky delivery, not to mention the songs and performances are terrific. I'd say this is his best since I See A Darkness.
When Martin Lopez left Opeth, I was downcast. When Peter Lindgren left, I was crestfallen. However, Mikael Akerfeldt has proven that he has always been and always will be the heart and soul of Opeth. Watershed is a fucking watershed of an album, and it proves that Ghost Reveries was no fluke; Opeth has synthesized Deliverance and Damnation, the Light and the Dark. "The Lotus Eaters" KILLS!!!!!

In other news, I think In Rainbows is one of the most disappointing records I've ever heard. I was once (and still am I guess) an enormous Radiohead fan, but the newest just doesn't do it for me. 40-year-old Brits making pristine records and giving them away (only to have their entire back catalog raped by Capitol records a few months later) doesn't make me excited.