I seem to be utterly hooked on MMJ at the moment. Perhaps this interest has been generated from the not-too-dissimilar-on-first-couple-of-listens of Fleet Foxes incredible debut. (This comparison goes out the window by listen #3.)
I confess to only really knowing 3 of their albums - 'At Dawn', 'Z' and 'Evil Urges'. I have also got 'It Still Moves' but have not really spent sufficient time with that one - is that foolish?
Although the newie is clearly a very ambitious record and illustrates that maybe Jim James had been listening to a few too many Prince records of late I think it works fantastically well and is a diverse and satisfying listen.
But, purpose of the thread is to get overall opinions of MMJ's back catalogue and to steer me in the direction of gems I might have missed.
At Dawn - 7
Z - 8.5
Evil Urges - 7.5
the tennessee fire
and okonokos.
both ace.
yeah make sure you get into It Still Moves
all their albums are good (although i don't have Evil Urges yet) but It Still Moves is imo thier most beautiful record. I think it has their three best songs on it:
I will sing you songs, steam engine and one big holiday. steam engine is probably one of my favourite songs ever, 'specially the 'take your money and you druuugsss' bit.
it still moves is my favourite
and id rate:
At Dawn:8
It Still Moves:9
Z:9
Evil Urges:6
Got the new one the other day but haven't had a chance to listen yet.
If he's been listening to Prince, so much the better!
'The Tennessee Fire' is my favourite, 'The Bear' and 'By My Car' are incredible songs.
It Still Moves is their best.
It Still Moves: 9
At Dawn: 7
Z: 7.5
Okonokos: 8.5
Make sure you check out Okonokos, the version of Dondante on that is about the best recorded live song i've ever heard.
I'd say it's between It Still Moves
and At Dawn and if I were pushed would probably go for At Dawn.
It Still Moves is well worth persevering with. First impression is that too many of the tracks to be overlong and boring but stick with it and you'll find this isn't the case.
Haven't heard the new album but I've heard some worrying things about it like they'e entirely ditched the reverb on the vocals!?
Evil Urges
Is way better than I initially thought, having given it a bit of time. Admittedly I declined to download Sec Walking, Librarian and Thank You Too as they were a step too far for me. That leaves 10 tracks/40 mins - perfect. (MMJ albums are generally too long, Z excepted).
It's great to hear them actually having fun. Highly Suspicious is genius if you pretend it's a different band. I reckon it might be on constant rotation in my car this summer (well, that and the new Hold Steady).
It Still Moves is the best
yeah.