New Beck-produced album coming from Stephen Malkmus

Malkmus and The Jicks

Though it's music critic heresy to say it, I'm going to:  I really don't think Pavement's first record, Slanted and Enchanted, is all that good. In fact, I think Pavement got better with every album, though Terror Twilight might be an exception (it's not quite as strong as Brighten the Corners).

Why is that relevant? Stephen Malkmus, who co-founded the band with a guy named Spiral Stairs, reputedly took more and more control of the band until it was practically his solo project. It was a good move. Malkmus had a lot more talent than the other guys. For further evidence, one only need listen to the four albums he's released under his own name (and alternately with a band called The Jicks).