My iPod #254: Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Deado

"Deado" is the last track on Stephen Malkmus' first 'solo' album after his former band Pavement split up. The term 'solo' doesn't really count though; "Stephen Malkmus" was recorded by the band he formed immediately after, known by the name of The Jicks. Malkmus wanted to release it under the band's name but the record label 'insisted' that he release it under his own. On iTunes and any other music service, you can only find the album under Stephen Malkmus, but I will label it under the group's actual name whenever I do a song from this album.

When listening to the album for the first time, I couldn't help but notice Malkmus' enthusiasm in his vocals compared to those in Pavement's last album "Terror Twilight". From sounding like a guy who wrote his songs and sang them just to get them over and done with, he sounded more confident - ready to embrace the challenge of doing something new - and as a result the album is quite upbeat and fun, with some laid-back parts here and there.

"Deado" is very laid-back. The acoustic guitars, various synthesizer noises and sound effects and the double-tracked vocal give the song a hazy and ethereal feel. It's the track that plays when relaxing and sitting in a chair in your back garden, or sinking your head into the pillow when you're about to go to bed. Soothing stuff to the ears.

Lyrically, I haven't a clue what it's about. My interpretation of it is that, somehow, it is from the Ess-Dog's point of view after becoming estranged from Jen who is referred to in the chorus (Listen to the preceding track "Jenny & the Ess-Dog" for more information). Apart from that... nah-I couldn't tell you. The song ends with a minute 'reprise' of another song from the album "Vague Space" before fading to silence, bringing to a fine debut album to a close.