lamradio Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I've still yet to see them live. I still kick myself in the ass that I missed them at The Music Farm in Charleston (small venue - 500 people or so). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoOfTheDay Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Today's the day, I held off on reading anything about it until I could go buy it - can't wait Quote Link to post Share on other sites
you ever seen a ghost? Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 from a huge and long-time MMJ fan: i am disappointed. i tend to agree with the Pitchfork and PopMatters reviews over the glowing ones from other publications. it's syrupy and lazy for the most part. the lyrics are dumb...and honestly, despite what anyone says, i like MMJ's lyrics. at least there used to be an element of mystery to them. "Peanut Butter Pudding Surprise"? please Mr. James, spare me... and the reviews that are calling this their YHF or Kid A??? tracks that i am fond of: "Smokin' From Shootin'," "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream, Part 2," "I'm Amazed," Thank You Too!"songs that are servicable: "Evil Urges," "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream, Part 1," "Librarian," "Sec Walkin'"songs that are embarassing to the band: "Highly Suspicious," "Two Halves" -justin -justin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
m_thomp Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 the empty space is mostly filled with serviceable falsetto funk and glassy-eyed yacht-pop I'm certain the version of Evil Urges I listened to was free from Duran Duran's influence. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jules Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'm really digging Thank You Too lately. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'm really digging Thank You Too lately. love that one too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 ok, I'm only to Look At You and I love it already. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DAngerer09 Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I thought this was a pretty entertaining review of the album (from a music blog called Radio Cure): Part I; Totally 80's1. "Evil Urges" - as aforementioned, I initially was wondering what the heck this song was. I personally would NOT have chosen it as the first song, but I guess for shock value they wanted to. After about two or three listens, I got it. Albeit, it is not the MMJ of old, but I'm open to change. I feel like it is what "I Turn My Camera On" is to Spoon - sort of a new frontier. The song evokes Prince set to great beats. What drives me nuts is to think what the song would have sounded like sans falsetto. I really can't imagine. I do love the robo solo towards the end. 2. "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 1." Oh the irony. As if you thought the first song was some sick joke upon first listen, then comes another tune that sounds NOTHING like MMJ or Jim James. I honestly thought I was going to scream at this point. Now, now be patient. This one takes time as well. I now dig it. Almost like a My Bloody Valentine track or the Flaming Lips "The W.A.N.D." Standby for TMIGTS Part 2. 3. Then, Jim James farted and created "Highly Suspicious." This is not a grower. It just sucks. He is whining and laughing like a baby or maybe a pedophile. Kind of creepy. Sounds like a bad 80's tune. I like the call this Part II, the shocking 70's. 4. "I'm Amazed" - At this point, I was excited to hear a song that sounded somewhat like MMJ. The song echoes the sounds of an old 70's classic rock tune. See "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith. I dig. 5. "Thank You Too" This tune is a bit cheesy but I like it nonetheless. Little 70's to it, Dad rock, but like I said I'm in. 6. "Sec Walking" Dad rock again at its finest. Sounds just like the BeeGees. Again, I like it though. 7. "Two Halves" Again, Dad rock. Where did Jim get this new nasal, gooey voice. Not sure. Not a bad tune though. 8. "Librarian" Hmm, a song about a sexy Librarian couldn't be good. Actually, its not bad. Again, he has this nasal cushy thing going. Strange. Maybe by now I am brain-washed, but I like it. Kind of has an eery feel until you listen to the lyrics. 9. "Look at You" Has a little steel guitar that glistens it but, for the most part, boring. Part 3. "Wait a minute He's back" Where Jim finally hits his stride. 10. "Aluminum Park" Arguably the best track on the album. It a no-brainer. Starts off with a raw, distorted guitar. I mean, is this the same album. This is standard old school rocking Jacket.11. "Remnants" Why stop now let's keep breaking guitar strings? Almost has an Alice Cooper guitar driving the song. This is heavy stuff. 12. "Smokin from Shootin" Jim slows it down for a good old MMJ ballad. Top three tune. I love the machine gun drums when he says "Smokin from Shootin." I will still say he sounds so different like almost nasal. Love it, Love it though. Great crescendo. Should be amazing live. 13. "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 2" This is the direction I thought they were headed. What a song. Omnichord blasting, Jim howling. He honestly sounds like the Jim of old here. Just when you think it is over at 4:56 a nasty guitar lick shoves itself in and abrupts the monotony, LOVE IT. Then, the dang album is over. Ahh. Might as well put this one on repeat. Another song of the album contender. 14. "Good Intentions" This one should be after "Highly Suspicious" because the noise in the 5 seconds is how I feel after hearing it. All in all a pretty good album. Definitely, catches you off guard. Honestly, I hope the band does not break up over this album. I really just can't see everyone being like "Cool!! this thing is a masterpiece." Again, at first listen, this thing is atrocious, but it soon finds its way into you. Hey, if you don't like it, you always have the new Unplugged My Morning Jacket album called Fleet Foxes., which by the way, is a great album. (if you're confused, it's okay, it was a joke. There is an awesome band that sounds a ton like MMJ called Fleet Foxes.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
the_ashtray_says Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 love that review, especially the ending, too funny and almost the exact same sentiments i expressed when sharing both albums with a couple friends. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouisvilleGreg Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 oh man i'm really not feeling most of this album after the first handful of listens. i've never had this problem with mmj before. i'll have to wait and see how things stack up live with the new tunes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Good Old Neon Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I think the new Fleet Foxes is the better of the two new MMJ releases Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I think the new Fleet Foxes is the better of the two new MMJ releases Quote Link to post Share on other sites
you ever seen a ghost? Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 i'd say EU is more like the 4.7 Pfork gave it (maybe a 5 or 6) and the Fleet Foxes is right on the 9.0 they gave that one... -justin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 i'd say EU is more like the 4.7 Pfork gave it (maybe a 5 or 6) and the Fleet Foxes is right on the 9.0 they gave that one... -justin the only 9 i've heard this year is probably The Tallest Man on Earth Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marino13 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Posted this on another site: http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/my...acket/evilurges Metacritic score is 74 right now with 18 reviews in. General rule of thumb on this site is that the score usually comes down as more reviews come in. If you look at all of the recent scores on the left for other bands, this is a very average score at best. For comparison, other MMJ releases on this site were as follows: It Still Moves - 83Z - 90Okonokos - 80 You can't argue with the data, people aren't feeling as much love for this album. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
embiggen Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm still going to get this CD and give it a chance, no matter what anyone says. SO THERE! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
quarter23cd Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm still going to get this CD and give it a chance, no matter what anyone says. SO THERE!Yeah, maybe that leak I heard was just a demo... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scalzunfield Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Posted this on another site: http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/my...acket/evilurges Metacritic score is 74 right now with 18 reviews in. General rule of thumb on this site is that the score usually comes down as more reviews come in. If you look at all of the recent scores on the left for other bands, this is a very average score at best. For comparison, other MMJ releases on this site were as follows: It Still Moves - 83Z - 90Okonokos - 80 You can't argue with the data, people aren't feeling as much love for this album. I love metacritic and generally recognize that anything in the 60's and 70's is totally average to the mainstream, but will probably still please the diehard fans of the band in question. Anything above an 80 should probably be heard by large masses of people. And with the exception of a few tunes on Evil Urges, I'm inclined to say that rating system is right on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I generally find metacritic to be unhelpful for those reasons. The more reviews used, the more likely the opinions skew towards the average. My tastes ain't average. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marino13 Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Whoa, New York anyone? http://clicks1.musictoday.com/cts/click?q=...oslOb%2FA%3D%3D Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wendy Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 Whoa, New York anyone? http://clicks1.musictoday.com/cts/click?q=...oslOb%2FA%3D%3D I think I did that NYC/MSG/NYE thing a few years ago with The Flaming Lips and Wilco. That was fun as hell! And I have say MMJ really knows how to throw a NYE party, so they will probably out-do themselves. An Evening With ... !!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 yeah, that'd been rumored for the last few months now on the MMJ boards very cool! i may try and get good seats at least, and if i can swing it, do it, but guessing prolly won't be able to afford it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chisoxjtrain Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 Posted this on another site: http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/my...acket/evilurges Metacritic score is 74 right now with 18 reviews in. General rule of thumb on this site is that the score usually comes down as more reviews come in. If you look at all of the recent scores on the left for other bands, this is a very average score at best. For comparison, other MMJ releases on this site were as follows: It Still Moves - 83Z - 90Okonokos - 80 You can't argue with the data, people aren't feeling as much love for this album. Oh well, still my favorite album of 2008 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
solace Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 well they also overrated Z on metacritic, so... besides, critical reviews aren't the be all end all... there's some pretty shit albums with 80+ scores on Metacritic... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.