It comes as something of a surprise to realize that 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of Pavement’s Slay Tracks (1933-1969) EP, and by extension, Stephen Malkmus’ career as a musician. Though Pavement has been defunct for nearly half of that time, Malkmus has remained vital as the leader of the Jicks, a band that has earned its own set of fans while maintaining a continuity with his overall body of work.

Earlier this year, my brother asked me a simple question: “Hey, what do you think about the Arcade Fire?” See, as far as my family and close friends know, I’m still the same fervent music obsessive I was back when I was a teenager, the kid who spent most of high school lying on his bed with the new issue of Spin propped against his knees, lost in his big headphones.

Nadja: “Only Shallow” (My Bloody Valentine cover)
A My Bloody Valentine cover from Nadja’s forthcoming covers album.
Circlesquare: “Hey You Guys (The Juan MacLean Remix)”
Original version from Circlesquare’s album Songs About Dancing and Drugs; out now; remix from the “Hey You Guys” EP; due 04/07/09; all on !K7
Pete Doherty: “New Love Grows on Trees”
A track from Pete [...]

Even in an era when artists such as Girl Talk are acclaimed for sampling the most recognizable hits imaginable, the Handsome Furs still seem bold and gutsy for using a song as beloved as New Order’s 1982 single “Temptation” as the basis for this track from their second album Face Control.

The Breeders have released four albums in nineteen years, so nobody’s going to accuse them of being prolific.