Buy Stephen Malkmus's New Album Before Its Release Date

Download Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Baby, C'Mon"
Download: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Baltimore"
Download: Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - "Jenny & The Ess-Dog"

One of the more innovative methods of combating the record industry's never-ending woes has been Matador Records Buy Early Get Now (heretofore BEGN) promotion. Though the name and inherent premise of the project are self-explanatory, there's also much more to it than merely buying an album online ahead of its physical release date in order to get it ASAP.

No, No, No, you, the consumer, get so much more!

In addition to a streaming version of the record you purchase, BEGN gives you a whole lot more than what you get with mere CDs of the album (or, you know, when you download it on the internet).

The last entry in the Matador BEGN series was Challengers, the underrated fourth album from The New Pornographers. Those who ordered the last set got to choose from one of two editions. The "executive edition" (20 bones) included a box-set, live disc, videos, photos and artwork. While the "standard edition" (15 bones) didn't include such luxuries, but the listener still got 3 previously unreleased B-sides, a full album stream, plus advance notice on what-were-then upcoming New Pornos shows.

Challengers was number 4 in the series. Now, with the upcoming release of Stephen Malkmus's fourth post-Pavement album (and second with the Jicks) Real Emotional Trash, BEGN
begets entry number 5

From the Matablog:

Preorder the Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks album ‘Real Emotional Trash’ (out March 4) now, and a get an instant stream along with two exclusive B-sides, an entire live show and a poster.

Visit the buyearlygetnow.com website to register. You start by preordering the album from a participating retailer - click the location on the map closest to you, or just order from the Matador Store - and you will get a username and password. Go back to buyearlygetnow.com to log in, download the stream, and get your extras on the site over the next few weeks.

On March 4 you pick up the album and poster from your local retailer or receive it in the mail. Simple and straightforward.

So no box-sets like last time, but it seems like its still a pretty good deal. Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks play First Ave on March 19th.

Stephen Malkmus MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)