Stephen Malkmus and his band the Jicks will release Pig Lib this March on Matador Records. The album is Malkmus' follow-up to his 2001 self-titled solo debut.

"Five of the twelve [songs] could have been on the last album," Malkmus told Rolling Stone. "And they would have fit with the more melodic, standard-tuning, slightly traditional songs. The others are stranger, more progressive, acid rock or something with more parts -- maybe too many parts -- more solos and stuff like that."

This time around, Malkmus and Matador are emphasizing that the new album is band effort. According to the label's site, the Jicks -- bassist Joanna Bolme and drummer John Moen -- made significant contributions to the songs. "SM & Jicks are very much a band," reads a post.

The band will curate the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey, next summer. So far, no performers have been announced.

CHRISTINA SARACENO and COLIN DEVENISH
(November 15, 2002)