Analogman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I'm addicted to "Sec Walkin." That one - Thank You Too, Librarian (although I hate most anything to do with that word), and Look at You. I don't know what to think about the rest - it's an MMJ album, quite songs, noisy songs, experimental songs - ain't it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PigSooie Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 That one - Thank You Too, Librarian (although I hate most anything to do with that word), and Look at You. I don't know what to think about the rest - it's an MMJ album, quite songs, noisy songs, experimental songs - ain't it? The first few songs remind me of Prince, or something. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 The first few songs remind me of Prince, or something. Like a certain Ryan Adams song that I can't think of at the moment - Just One Thing is an MMJ song that is special to me - Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I've had more time with it (and I need to hear it at least 3 more before I know) and I think it's a mixed bag. I think the title track is fairly on cue with their 'new direction' and does so in an excellent way. 'Highly Suspicious' is a total throwaway. Some of the ballads don't seem like a step forward at all, which is fine, but they don't hit me as strong as the older ones. He also started employing a singing voice that is much more Dylan Nashville Skyline era, which is weird, because I already thought James had that tendency. Now it's just more. The closing track seems really interesting until it settles into a groove and then the disco drums seem so cheap and uninteresting it's hard to spend the eight minutes the track boasts. "Aluminum Park" is also pretty good. I don't know, it seems really uneven. Not quite an 'album' in the tradional sense of a big picture flow. Again I need more time, I will probably change my mind. Except that disco groove one the end will always suck.....leave that to the Arcade Fire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 "New Direction"?????????????? Jim's had this sound since day one. The early recordings going back to his teen years have every bit of 80's written all over it. (Take My Breath Away)(West End Girls)...ect. This is just a long going love for the music, he, we grew up with. Those of you who haven't followed his whole catalouge, live cover's, and take on music just won't get it. Start to finish it kills Z, and I'm going out on a limb but I think it's one of the best albums of the decade. Jim's biggest musical influence was The Muppet Show for christ's sake. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 yeah... i don't buy this "new direction" thing either... Z was more "experimental" on the whole than this record is. certainly compared to It Still Moves before it as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 yeah... i don't buy this "new direction" thing either... Z was more "experimental" on the whole than this record is. certainly compared to It Still Moves before it as well. Exactly, I couldn't agree more..........pin point! I love the fact that you do know your shit and your still on the fence. I respect that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
giraffo Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 haha, my first play of the record, for whatever reason, started on Highly Suspicious, and I was really like "WTF"? and once I realized it wasn't the opening track I thought better of the album. ....seriousy though, that's a terrible song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Why don't you chime in on the Dead Thread and make fun of hippies. Wait, MMJ is a jam band now, I forgot........ carry on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
giraffo Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Why don't you chime in on the Dead Thread and make fun of hippies. Wait, MMJ is a jam band now, I forgot........ carry on. what...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 what...?just making fun of making fun for funs sake not at you, the band. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 "New Direction"?????????????? Jim's had this sound since day one. The early recordings going back to his teen years have every bit of 80's written all over it. (Take My Breath Away)(West End Girls)...ect. This is just a long going love for the music, he, we grew up with. Those of you who haven't followed his whole catalouge, live cover's, and take on music just won't get it. Start to finish it kills Z, and I'm going out on a limb but I think it's one of the best albums of the decade. Jim's biggest musical influence was The Muppet Show for christ's sake. This is where we conceed that what we are arguing is so subjective that argument is a little funny.......and then continue anyways because we like talking about the band- 1) I've heard all the re-released demos etc. and they have never done anything quite like "Highly Suspcious" 2) Any argument that demands hearing obscure parts of an artists catalog to appreciate a new LP is 'highly suspicious'. 3) Even if you're sold on all of the songwriting on Evil Urges, do you really think it has as solid of a unity and flow as Z or It Still Moves? 4) The Muppet Show rules (maybe thats why Jim seems like he is a muppet) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 This is where we conceed that what we are arguing is so subjective that argument is a little funny.......and then continue anyways because we like talking about the band- 1) I've heard all the re-released demos etc. and they have never done anything quite like "Highly Suspcious" true 2) Any argument that demands hearing obscure parts of an artists catalog to appreciate a new LP is 'highly suspicious'. do not agree 3) Even if you're sold on all of the songwriting on Evil Urges, do you really think it has as solid of a unity and flow as Z or It Still Moves? for sure, it's evil 4) The Muppet Show rules (maybe thats why Jim seems like he is a muppet) It's all fun and games till some one gets epoked in the eye. And I drive a big truck to compinsate for a small penis. It's for sure funny, I'm not getting paid to write this shit, and if I was no one would buy it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 On another note, say take the band Ween, which is one of my all time favorite bands. Not many people get them and see them as some novilty band, I see a song like Baby Bitch and can relate to that the same exact way as say Jim's Golden or Tweedy's Please Tell My Brother. I don't get half of what Jeff is talking about in most of their music. And take Andrew Bird, the man writes in palindromes that I can't or will never even grasp at any point of my life. I am a folkie at heart, but hold and cherish bands like The Cure and Depeche Mode with all my heart. I just think it's great that MMJ is at a point where they can pull this off now. I would of loved this in any decade of music starting from the 80's to present. The fact that their is such debate is a great thing, look at Sky Blue Sky................it's still getting shit on, but why oh why is it harder to get a ticket to their shows? A turn off for me is a band that stays in the safe zone their whole carrer. I'm glad musician's and bands are still taking chances and making music they wan't to make. We could go into the whole industry thing but all of us here are beyond that. Any press is good press! Have fun with the cd, dance your ass off or have a nice fetch with your dog! Either way it was free and very nice to see this leak, as I will be purchashing it! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I like Z better now that I have a copy without spyware on it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I like Z better now that I have a copy without spyware on it.See, it's all about porn. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
you ever seen a ghost? Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 "Smokin' From Shootin'" and "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Part 2" do kick major, major ass though. -justin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 3) Even if you're sold on all of the songwriting on Evil Urges, do you really think it has as solid of a unity and flow as Z or It Still Moves? Z doesn't have that great of flow.... so yes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kimcatch22 Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Librarian (although I hate most anything to do with that word)I don't think he's singing about the librarians I know, either. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Z doesn't have that great of flow.... so yesYeah, I agree it comes out a blazin' then drops off. They totally f'd up the track listing on that one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lost highway Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Interesting......... I guess that's true about Z it does kind of lose its thread. Maybe those guys just have a different sense of symmetry. Oceanman-your love for Ween puts your love for Evil Urges in a new light. I get why you get it. The other thing I love is that we still have bands that are important enough to so many people that any new release causes such passionate conversation. That's why I feel extra impatient for the follow up to SBS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Analogman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I don't think he's singing about the librarians I know, either. Oh I just hate anything that makes me think of work sometimes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oceanman Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 That's why I feel extra impatient for the follow up to SBS.Shit, I'm still feeling after shocks from YHF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
damo Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 i like it but i start on im amazed and cut the first bit loose and then its a good record Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jc4prez Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 "New Direction"?????????????? Jim's had this sound since day one. The early recordings going back to his teen years have every bit of 80's written all over it. (Take My Breath Away)(West End Girls)...ect. This is just a long going love for the music, he, we grew up with. Those of you who haven't followed his whole catalouge, live cover's, and take on music just won't get it. Start to finish it kills Z, and I'm going out on a limb but I think it's one of the best albums of the decade. Jim's biggest musical influence was The Muppet Show for christ's sake. I agree with in that the direction is not unexpected. The sound isn't unexpected. Its just really poorly done. I've never found James to be the greatest of lyricists but some of this is just pitiful, if anything its helped my self confidence, so often do i throw stuff out thinking its garbage, this album feels like james has never used an eraser. I hear the influences of a.m. radio, of the 80's music, of prince, of soul music, etc. its just not incorporated well. I will say I do like Evil Urges, and I'm Amazed, I was also digging the librarian but by the end he lost me. I'm not going to say I hate the record, I'll give it a few more listens before I give a verdict. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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