More and more, the career arc of Stephen Malkmus is resembling that of Paul Westerberg's: You start off as the leader of an influential indie band, and then you go solo when the band collapses, releasing albums that rarely are embraced with the same enthusiasm as the stuff you put out in your 20s. (I'd add that they also share in common solo careers that, despite some rough patches, have their underrated pleasures.)
Malkmus returns on January 7 with Wig Out at Jagbags. In honor of the occasion, here's a track from his 2001 solo debut, Stephen Malkmus. Is this the best indie rock song ever about the life of a pirate? Maybe -- definitely the funniest.
