Haven't heard anymore half the tracks a lot on youtube but this doesn't sound that bad at all to me. Even Highly Suspicious which sounds more like "Word Up" by Cameo than Prince to me doesn't sound that bad. I actually like Evil Urges alot too. Does,like Cobra, have a very disco/reggae era stones feel, not any worse than Slave or Emotional Rescue, and similar to the I turn my camera on by Spoon or Theologians by Wilco, but with Prince vibe and nice Clashy feel to the guitar break. Maybe growing up in the 80's and hearing and liking alot of songs like this on the radio from that time makes it easier to tolerate but I actually kind of like both of these songs. Also again not having heard the whole album I am suprised that people are saying that some new MMJ songs are weird. Has anybody ever read their lyrics on some of their earlier albums. Very Very Bizarre. And like I've been saying since Z the've always been very eclectic musically especially on their ep tracks. I actually liked the non traditional sounding MMJ tracks on Z better than the typical sounding ones. And Long Dark, to me it's hard to say anyone could imitate the pre Ok Computer Radiohead sound when Radiohead at that time was SO influenced by U2 in my opinion that didn't even have an original sound. I mean couldn't you you say Blow out is very influenced by "Gloria" from U2 with an outro straight off of 50% of Sonic Youth songs.
And just a thought but maybe Jim James is changing his voice on these tracks as there are so many otherbands now flat out imitating his vocals down to the very inflection he got sick of hearing himself.
Been listening to this and after you get past the shock of the first 3 songs it's not bad... not bad at all. This could very well be a grower. Liking the different sounds they are achieving. Librarian is a great little song.
If you don't stop to smell the roses now
They might end up on you
Acuff-Rose wrote:Been listening to this and after you get past the shock of the first 3 songs it's not bad... not bad at all. This could very well be a grower. Liking the different sounds they are achieving. Librarian is a great little song.
Agreed, although I doubt I'll even warm up to those first few turds.
Acuff-Rose wrote:Been listening to this and after you get past the shock of the first 3 songs
I dont quite get the shock of the first 3 songs everyone is saying. 'Highly Suspicious' I can understand but 'Touch Me' and 'Evil Urges' are not that much, if at all really, a departure from the 'Z' sound. All three are great tunes and really set up the feel of this album nicely. Suprised about the lack of talk of 'Smokin from shootin', great classic MMJ song that is getting no love.
Yeah, I have to agree with pitchfork on this one somewhat. I was initially pretty excited about this a couple listens through and I still think it has some great songs but it hasnt held up well. I listened to this a couple times on a 3 hour plane ride over the weekend and it hasnt held up well for me. 'Touch me 1 & 2', 'Smokin from shootin' and 'Evil Urges' still do a little something for me though. I give them credit for trying something new and expanding their sound but overall its a disappointment from these guys.
Not hating this album as of yet, but not loving it. Perhaps it's a grower. I really just don't get the whole Prince obsession. To me, Highly Suspicious just comes off as a joke. But there are some great songs scattered throughout this album. As a whole, it comes off to me as an indulgence and an experiment.
Last edited by Acuff-Rose on Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:40 am, edited 1 time in total.
If you don't stop to smell the roses now
They might end up on you
Sounds like Ween doing a bit but not as cool as Dean/Gene/Mean Ween heads into brownout territory and holy fuck that 3rd song is not fit for any human ear! I hate that Glory song and that library song is as cheesy and cornball as it gets. What happened to this once great band? Hard to believe the same guys that wrote 'The Bear' and 'Bermuda Highway' are responsible for this white funk falsetto shitfest!
Librarian is a great little song. 
! That first song inexcusable poo!
I hate that Glory song and that library song is as cheesy and cornball as it gets. What happened to this once great band? Hard to believe the same guys that wrote 'The Bear' and 'Bermuda Highway' are responsible for this white funk falsetto shitfest!
