The Hard Quartet
Like most things Stephen Malkmus touches, this meeting of four gracefully aging indie rockers—Malkmus, Matt Sweeney (Superwolf, Chavez), Emmett Kelly (Bonnie “Prince” Billy, The Cairo Gang), and Dirty Three drummer Jim White—feels both totally unambitious yet perfectly refined. They know their influences and wear them with the weathered cool of a patch-covered jean jacket: the cocky glam of Sweet (“Earth Hater,” “Action for Military Boys”), the shambling power pop of Big Star (“Rio’s Song,” “Our Hometown Boy”), the psychedelia of early Pink Floyd (“Chrome Mess”). But the musicianship is great, the songs fun and characteristically oblique (“Six Deaf Rats”), and the sense of nostalgia joyful without ever getting cute or overbearing. Having collectively played on dozens if not hundreds of albums since the early ’90s, they make the kind of cool, used-bin curiosity that might’ve turned them on as “kids.” What better tribute to your love of the game?
Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Emmett Kelly, and Jim White’s classic-rock comfort food retains the willful eccentricity and goofball impulses of its creators.
What’s impressive about The Hard Quartet is the work they've put in, even if they don’t always want to be caught doing so.
Does such a thing as a truly equal collaboration, with no appointed or self-appointed leader, exist in the world of music? It feels like The Hard
Stephen Malkmus’ new supergroup serve up electrifying in-the-moment-thrills on first long playing outing. Read MOJO's verdict in full.
The Hard Quartet album review: a proud time capsule from the dudiest of supergroups
The Hard Quartet by The Hard Quartet album review by David Saxum for Northern Transmissions. The band's LP is now out via Matador Records
Also featuring Matt Sweeney, Jim White and Emmett Kelly, the quality and variety of songwriting on this self-titled debut album raises it above a stoner jam session