Real Emotional Trash
by Stephen Malkmus
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Mar 4, 2008
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Spin
    60
    Trash has its moments. [Mar 2008, p.106]
  2. PopMatters
    60
    If Real Emotional Trash falls short of "Pig Lib," it’s because we’re spending too much time in the tunnel, and not enough in the funnel to the tune.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    There is so much going on - veiled lyrics, abrupt key changes - that it would take months of patient unravelling for the 10 tracks to fully reveal themselves.
  5. NOW Magazine
    60
    Real is a beefy record that plods and dances precariously close to the jam band divider.
  6. Delusions of Adequacy
    60
    There is just too much hit and miss on this album.
  7. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Here Malkmus dispenses with the electronic curiosities that blighted his 2005 solo album Face the Truth and adopts a more polished version of the old indie-rock of soaring guitar solos and oblique lyrics.
  8. No Ripcord
    60
    Real Emotional Trash feels like a compromise, for Malkmus and for us.
  9. Dusted Magazine
    60
    Like Stephin Merritt, his East Coast cognate, Malkmus’ songwriting chops and eye for upper-middle-class detail are too-available excuses for music that is often unremarkable.
  10. musicOMH.com
    60
    Real Emotional Trash fails--beautifully and melodically, yes, but it fails nonetheless.
  11. Paste Magazine
    60
    With Real Emotional Trash, he proves he can retain both, leaving behind the controlled one-man-band environment of 2005’s Face the Truth and issuing his most eclectic and unpredictable album yet.
  12. Q Magazine
    40
    His fourth album is another trough, low on songs and over-reliant on meandering guitar jams. [Apr 2008, p.112]
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Awards & Rankings

84
#84 Most Discussed Album of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
  1. Shiftybob.
    May 17, 2008
    10
    This album blew me away. I'm a long time Pavement fan who lost a little interest after what was to me, just an ok first solo album. This album blew me away. I'm a long time Pavement fan who lost a little interest after what was to me, just an ok first solo album. After the good word of mouth on I picked up Real Emotional Trash and it hasn't left my PC/car/stereo/ipod since...So many good tracks but yes Hopscotch Willie is a 10 by itself and Janet Weiss is brilliant. Everyone I've played it around has been "What's that you're playing? It's really good!!!" I agree.… Full Review »
  2. HB
    May 2, 2008
    10
    R.E.T gets better with every successive playing. Smart lyrics match oddly tuned fuzzy guitar. The Jicks are simultaneously loose and tight.
  3. 5errr
    Aug 30, 2011
    10
    one of the few albums that has not left my rotation in the past few years. malkmus is still an excellent, distinctive songwriter with a voiceone of the few albums that has not left my rotation in the past few years. malkmus is still an excellent, distinctive songwriter with a voice to match.… Full Review »
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