Baby Steps Up Everest

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks “Senator”

Stephen Malkmus has never been the type to write “political” songs, though he’s flirted with the notion in the recent past, most notably on the Real Emotional Trash bonus track “Pennywhistle Thunder.” When politics come up in his songs, it’s mostly a tongue-in-cheek comment on corruption and foibles. That’s certainly the case for “Senator,” a tune that hints at some heavy concerns but comes to a cynical conclusion in its big hook: “I know what the senator wants / what the senator wants is a blowjob.” And then, later: “I know what everyone wants / what everyone wants is a blowjob.” In other words: We all just want our own petty gratification. The assholes in charge aren’t any different from the rest of us, for the most part. The song is basically a smirk and a shrug set to a miniature rock epic.

Pre-order it from Matador Records.