Never thought I’d say this, but there is at least one reason why living in Saskatoon beats living in Montreal: Stephen Malkmus! According to Pitchfork, the legendary singer/songwriter of the now defunked Pavement has a handful of tour dates throughout Canada and the US, my old hometown Saskatoon being one of the cities on the bill. Pavement was the epitome of low-key unpretentious California indie rock, the kind that suburban kids drink right up (yes, I’m also quite pleased with my clever use of metaphor here). Their 1992 album Slanted and Enchanted was named the Greatest Indie-Rock Album - ever! Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks most recenty released Real Emotional Trash on Matador Records in March 2008.

Although I’m kinda peeved I won’t get to see Malkmus live, considerations of a temporary move back to Central Canadian flatlands have been put aside. I listen to Pavement’s Shady Lane, Range Life, and Here at least several times every day, no jokes. Here’s an example of Malkmus’ lyrical handoffish wittiness (say what?) from the song Shady Lane: “Freeze, don’t move. You’ve been chosen as an extra in the movie adaptation of the sequel to your life.”

You can say that again.

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