quote:

Originally posted by CleverName84:
Okay, i may just be a bit of a spaz, but is the last song. "good intentions" supposed to be 8 seconds? Or did i get a bum leak of the album?

I would imagine everyone is downloading the same copy.

Yeah, i imagined so, but just thought it may be something wrong.

"Highly Suspicious" is actually quite ridiculous. When i defended the vocals i had only heard the first song.

And I'm not really jiving with his new delivery or whatever it is that's going on here... sounds less soaked in reverb and more clearly nasal to me. What happened?

And I'm all for change - I loved the progression Z made - but this may take some getting used to considering i loved the vocals almost immediately on their other albums.

quote:

Originally posted by CleverName84:
Okay, i may just be a bit of a spaz, but is the last song. "good intentions" supposed to be 8 seconds? Or did i get a bum leak of the album?

Its 6 seconds on my download according to iTunes.

I don't mind that they're doing some new things and trying new sounds. In retrospect, they always have. "Run Thru" from It Still Moves had that whole rave section in the middle. They sound exactly like Air on "Off the Record" which is a reggae song. Parts of Z sound like the Flaming Lips. However, their songs have always been strong. Most of these songs really suck.

"Highly Suspicious" is just plain retarded and makes me seriously question their intentions. The rest of these songs, even when they sound closer to the MMJ we're familiar with, are weak. I'm embarassed for them on "Thank You Too." and "Sec Walkin." How weak is that shit? Am I really hearing the lyrics to "Librarian" correctly? Is this really the same band that recorded "One Big Holiday"? They've got to be kidding.


Side Note:
In the early 70's the Allman Brothers were the best live band on the planet. I was a big fan years ago in my college years, so I picked up their box set Decades back then. The first couple of discs were solid, and the last two dics were their late 70's and 80's years when they were recoring these horrible laid back shitty songs. These MMJ songs sound exactly like that crap.

So the new MMJ album sucks because they are the in-bred offspring of the Allman Bros, who lost two key bandmembers in the early 1970s? Your opinion may be right, but your evidence is non-existent.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:

"Highly Suspicious" is just plain retarded and makes me seriously question their intentions. The rest of these songs, even when they sound closer to the MMJ we're familiar with, are weak. I'm embarassed for them on "Thank You Too." and "Sec Walkin." How weak is that shit? Am I really hearing the lyrics to "Librarian" correctly? Is this really the same band that recorded "One Big Holiday"? They've got to be kidding.

Well, I already said "Highly Suspicious" is a horrible song, but "Sec Walkin" and "Librarian" are probably my two favorites right now. I think they're genuinely good and stand up with their previous work. There is no "Golden" here, that's for sure.

Those backing vocals... OH. MY. GOD. I busted out laughing when i heard that "Highly Suspicious of you" backing vocal. I can picture myself listening to that song while smoking a cigarette in my car with the window down and becoming incredibly embarassed when someone pulls up next to me and hears that [run-on]. Anypoo, other than that song, i think it's pretty solid, it's no Z or At Dawn or It Still Moves, but it has a whole lifetime to grow on me.

"Highly Suspicious" makes me laugh. In a good way!

I like the fact that they are trying new things, and not clinging to the formula that has worked for them in the past. That being said however, everyone is dead on about the "Highly Suspicious" backing vocals...I have no clue what they were going for on that track. And I really love "Sec Walkin", and "Thank You Too". Probably the strongest tracks in my opinion.

Holy shit in a basket... Jim James is the new Johnny Whitney.

quote:

Originally posted by mark f:
So the new MMJ album sucks because they are the in-bred offspring of the Allman Bros, who lost two key bandmembers in the early 1970s? Your opinion may be right, but your evidence is non-existent.

I'm just comparing the music which I find similar in style and quality. You're right, however, that the Allman's had an excuse for going to crap. I'm not sure why MMJ would go this direction. I mean, are they tired of being the best live rock band in the world? Wait until they roll these gems out live. Other than the last 3 tracks where they show a pulse, these middle songs will put the audience to sleep.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely against their lighter side. "Golden", "I Will Sing you Songs", "Just One Thing" and others are all amazing songs and balanced out their albums nicely.

Hey, don't take anything I said there too seriously. I've only heard one song on the album. It was the fact that you brought up the Allman Bros. which made me respond.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:

I'm just comparing the music which I find similar in style and quality. You're right, however, that the Allman's had an excuse for going to crap. I'm not sure why MMJ would go this direction. I mean, are they tired of being the best live rock band in the world? Wait until they roll these gems out live. Other than the last 3 tracks where they show a pulse, these middle songs will put the audience to sleep.

I can't really agree with you there. My favorite songs right now are 4 ("I'm Amazed"), 6 ("Sec Walkin") and 8 ("Librarian") - all from the middle of the album obviously.

quote:

Originally posted by ezatldude:

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:

I'm just comparing the music which I find similar in style and quality. You're right, however, that the Allman's had an excuse for going to crap. I'm not sure why MMJ would go this direction. I mean, are they tired of being the best live rock band in the world? Wait until they roll these gems out live. Other than the last 3 tracks where they show a pulse, these middle songs will put the audience to sleep.

I can't really agree with you there. My favorite songs right now are 4 ("I'm Amazed"), 6 ("Sec Walkin") and 8 ("Librarian") - all from the middle of the album obviously.

The middle of the album (tracks 4-9) remind me of Sky Blue Sky. They have that 70's soft rock vibe to them. I didn't care for that much either.

"Two Halves" is growing on me, though. I'm surprised more people haven't brought that track up as a favorite. The background vocals are awesome.

I was pretty vocal against my dislike for this album after early listens. I have to admit its growing on me. I dumped "Highly Suspicious" and am enjoying the rest. The first two tracks never bothered me. "Touch Me I'm going to Scream" is one of my favorites. It was the slower middle section that bothered me. I can't say I'm in love with "Sec Walkin" or "Librarian" still, but they're growing on me. Its not a great, classic MMJ album like Z or It Still Moves but its not a complete travesty either.

Peanut Butter Pudding Surprise makes Highly Suspicious the best song of 2008.

I saw these guys on SNL this past Saturday and they were tremendous. They played two songs off the new album and I really enjoyed them. Besides the fact that I have liked them since '99, I am excited for the new album.

By the way, why is this thread titled "...or The Surge Lives?"

kidA, to answer your question I think it is an anagram of "Evil Urges"

It's a shame that the middle of this album suffers from the same lack of energy and innovation that made Wilco's latest such a snoozer (for the most part - respect to Impossible Germany). Honestly, the first three songs are the only life this album seems to have until it comes around to the end.

I guess I was expecting another Z, and that I certainly didn't get.

quote:

Originally posted by harrisonOWNSmccartney:
kidA, to answer your question I think it is an anagram of "Evil Urges"

Yeah, well, almost, right?