With the recent release of Wig Out At Jagbags, illness Stephen Malkmus has been getting a lot of well-deserved press lately. Are you just hearing about Malkmus now? Are you staring at his impressive discography, cialis unsure where to start? Lucky for you we’ve put together this little beginner’s guide to Stephen Malkmus- a few albums that we hope can serve as jumping off points to anyone overwhelmed by getting into a new artist and in need of suggestion.

Pavement- Slanted and Enchanted (1992)

Slanted and Enchanted is some of Malkmus’ noisiest, most energetic work. His guitar work here really works the balance between melody and chaos, with moments of control leading into fractured arrangements. These songs are full of catchy hooks and irresistible rhythm. Often considered one of the most influential albums in indie rock history, Slanted and Enchanted is powerful, smart and thrilling.

You’ll like it if: you’re a sucker for noisy, unpredictable indie rock

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Pavement- Brighten the Corners (1997)

Malkmus isn’t just a guitar genius, he’s a damn good writer too, and Brighten the Corners highlights that wonderfully. These songs are poppy but they pack a punch. You’ll find that the instrumental work gives life and meaning to the lyrics and vise versa, which is something you’ll also find true about Malkmus’ new songs.

You’ll like it if: you like playful melodies and lyrics that’ll stick with you

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Silver Jews- American Water (1998)

Silver Jews often get mislabeled as a Pavement “side project” but it’s a huge mistake to write them off. In his work with Silver Jews, Malkmus presents incredibly intuitive guitar work. You’ll notice he takes a different role on this album. He holds himself back, playing poignant solos that speak as eloquently as David Berman’s lyrics. Silver Jews’ sound deviates from what we expect from Pavement, or Malkmus’ work with the Jicks, but you can still find his dedication to rhythm and playful melodies.

You’ll like it if: you’re into lyrically strong, dreamy, moving songs, if you cry a lot or maybe want to start crying a lot.

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Stephen Malkmus- Stephen Malkmus (2001)

Well received for a fresh solo album, these songs are spacey and often calming, with twangy guitar. You’ll hear Malkmus coming out of Pavement and learning how to piece together a song with a new sense of motion. These songs build on themselves to form a s full sound similar to what we hear in Wig Out at Jagbags.

You’ll like it if: you love indie rock but need an album to chill out to.

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Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks- Pig Lib (2003)

Pig Lib is melodically fun, romantic, and full of strange, abstract stories. With a band made up mostly of the same musicians as Wig Out at Jagbags, you’ll notice the instrumental work taking a new shape, with the keyboards and bouncy drumming that make up his newest album.

You’ll like it if: You like charming songs / the new Malkmus album you’ve been hearing everywhere

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The new album Wig Out at Jagbags is available now, and if you like what you hear you can see Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Paradise Rock  Club on Febuary 25.