It's time for the BIG BRACKET DRAFT. In this episode, Paul, Chris and Mark have to whittle down 28 previously overlooked songs to 7 which will progress to the second round of the podcast.

It's a quick fire, lightning round, fastest finger first-style podcast with decisions getting made on the spot. Ultimately, however, the three hosts learn a lot about respect. This is now a podcast all about respect. Respect above all. Respect our respect.

Made with pure respect for SM + Jicks.

Follow us on Twitter: @thepaulcarlin @thegallatron @themarkedwards

It's the end of round one and your heroes bring you FIVE matchups ahead of the big draft pick playoff episode next week.

What starts out as maybe not the most exciting batch of songs provides plenty of talking points and a few surprises along the way... plus the usual conversation errors and spurious accusations. Who knew one of these dorks had a degree in linguistic carpentry?

This week's matchups are:
Brainwashed vs Belziger Faceplant // Ocean of Revenge vs Carl the Clod // Pink India vs Viktor Borgia // I've Hardly Been vs Planetary Motion // Juliefuckingette vs Sin Taxi.

Made with love for SM + Jicks.

Follow us on Twitter: @thegallatron @themarkedwards @thepaulcarlin

We're coming to the end of round 1 of The Malkmus Conundrum and things are getting so hectic, Mark is now making up the names of Jicks songs from scratch.

In a rare moment of sincerity, the three presenters actually manage to be nice to each other for most of this episode as they discuss eight more lovely tunes. It's a Real Emotional Trash-heavy episode with some genuinely thoughtful critiques. It won't last.

This episode's matchups are:
Real Emotional Trash vs Craw Song // Dragonfly Pie vs Shake It Around // Post Paint Boy vs Phantasies // Houston Hades vs Out of Reaches.

Made with love for SM + Jicks. Follow us on Twitter if that's your bag: @thepaulcarlin @thegallatron @themarkedwards

After a short (long) summer break, The Malkmus Conundrum returns with Paul, Mark and Chris ready to continue doing the Lord's work (discussing Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks' amazing back catalogue).

It's business as usual for your favourite podcast hosts as they take on four more matchups in their quest to work out what the best Malkmus + Jicks song actually is...

Get ready for more lies and betrayals, plenty of revenge chat and a shocking revelation about what Mark has been up to for the past few months.

This episode's matchups are:
Discretion Grove vs Pennywhistle Thunder / Mama vs Shibboleth / Shadowbanned vs Fractions and Feelings / No One Is (As I Are Be) vs No More Shoes.

Follow us on Twitter: @themarkedwards @thegallatron @thepaulcarlin

We love Stephen Malkmus... AND The Jicks.

Before your favourite podcast takes a short summer break, there's just enough time for Paul, Chris and Mark to have a handful of arguments about Stephen Malkmus songs!

There are some extremely tricky duels in this episode and you'll be pleased to hear that the overall sense of dread that has rumbled on throughout this odyssey is alive and well.

We'll be back in a few weeks with more but, until then, please enjoy this excellent episode; it kills!

This episode's matchups are:
It Kills vs Bossviscerate // The Janitor Revealed vs Refute // Senator vs Dark Wave // Amberjack vs Rumble at the Rainbo.

Thanks for your continued support and ears! We're all on Twitter: @thegallatron @themarkedwards @thepaulcarlin.

Love you, SM+Jicks xxx

We're a dozen episodes deep into The Malkmus Conundrum and things are getting tasty. Today's major argument is about house music and Mark's inability to understand simple lyrics... or was he right all along? Even if he is, Chris and Paul will never admit it so it's all moot really. Yes, it's one of THOSE episodes.

Plus, an important update on the whole poisoned apple thing. Thank goodness the world's only podcast journalist is part of the presentation team.

This week's matchups are:
Independence Street vs 1% of One // Jumblegloss vs Deado // Grown Nothing vs Xian Man // Jo Jo's Jacket vs Come Get Me.

Follow us on Twitter if that's your bag: @thegallatron @themarkedwards @thepaulcarlin

It's a return to regular programming in this episode as Paul, Chris and Mark get back to discussing eight more Jicks tunes in a bid to work out which one is the best...

This episode has everything: a birthday, some classic deep cuts and possibly the hardest-hitting piece of podcast journalism ever heard on a bracket-style podcast about Stephen Malkmus.

This week's matchups are:
Long Hard Book vs Share the Red // Elmo Delmo vs Cinnamon and Lesbians // What Kind of Person vs Cash Out // Difficulties/Let Them Eat Vowels vs Troubbble.

Thanks for listening to our wee podcast. We love Stephen Malkmus and we love The Jicks.

Follow us on Twitter if you're into that sort of thing: @themarkedwards @thegallatron @thepaulcarlin and also check out @meetingmalkmus - a lovely podcast going through the entire Pavement back catalogue.

It's the second of our Malkmus Origin Story pods this time focusing on the period of time between the release of Stephen Malkmus (2001) and Traditional Techniques (2020).

Of course, there are more factual inaccuracies and an unnecessary amount of hostility between the three hosts but it's truly the only way they can get through the week.

If you have any issues with this episode, please get in touch with Janine at The Morris Agency.

Follow us on Twitter: @thepaulcarlin @thegallatron @themarkedwards

Made with a whole lot of love for SM + Jicks.

In a break from the usual format, Paul, Chris and Mark decide to embark on a short detour covering the Stephen Malkmus timeline.

Part 1 focuses on the period of his birth to the initial dissolution of Pavement.

If you're into possible (definite) factual inaccuracies, heavy trolling of each other and a great deal of love for Pavement, you'll dig this episode.

Follow us on your socials: @thepaulcarlin @thegallatron @themarkedwards

From the rich antioxidant goodness of broccoli to the heartiness and warmth of a minestrone, there's a soup for every occasion... much like there's a Jicks song for every occasion and in this fine episode, Paul, Mark and Chris run the rule over eight more tracks, all the while maintaining a strong and robust disdain for each other. These three sure are Cold Sons.

This episode's matchups are:
Wow Ass Jeans vs Vanessa From Queens // All Over Gently vs Shiggy // Jenny and the Ess Dog vs Cold Son // Gardenia vs Chartjunk.

Made with bags and bags of love for SM + Jicks.

Follow us on Twitter if you like, or not; it's your decision. @thepaulcarlin @thegallatron @themarkedwards