I hate to be that guy but...

[ManNamedTruth]

that dog, for some reason, reminds me of Mary Stuart Masterson in the movie Some Kind of Wonderful. There's the scene where she's the "limo" driver and she's got the cap on. I can't find that picture.    :-\

The only things I care about are me, my drums, and you!!

[e_wind]

- I've totally let go of any preconceptions of this band; they have proved that they are gonna go different each time out, I am not thinking of the other albums when approaching this one, Circuital will obviously have its own identity which is really exciting.

- I'm saddened that after 3 years we can't all just agree that EU was a solid record. I love it. Maybe not more than the others but it certainly has its place and I believe its a really strong effort.

agreed on both counts 

Couldn't agree more! Best post in this thread so far :)

Thanks ladies.....I have to say of all my trying to get people I know into MMJ, Evil Urges was the best and easiest selling point. I think it appealed to people more who didn't come to expect anything from the band and that it was varied, spacerockin, and somewhat accessible musically. However, I know it sounds good in my ears and that's what counts.

I'd agree with this. HS, TMIGTS Pt1, IA, Smokin.... All songs that are very listenable to all audiences. I actually loved that record in the beginning.

[bold992006]

I am so ready for this album it's rediculous...I have decided to wait til I get the package on my doorstep and drop the needle to listen to it, even gonna try and avoid the NPR stream (i say that now). Aside from the 3 songs I have heard off of it, which are all vastly different, I cannot see a common thread through anyone's premature evaluations. That is pretty interesting/exciting.

some stray observations:
- TTF, At Dawn, ISM had like 5-6 slower songs so I'm not surprised that the album has slower paced tracks. Esp. with the laidback despcriptions of the album making process.
- I've totally let go of any preconceptions of this band; they have proved that they are gonna go different each time out, I am not thinking of the other albums when approaching this one, Circuital will obviously have its own identity which is really exciting.
- I'm saddened that after 3 years we can't all just agree that EU was a solid record. I love it. Maybe not more than the others but it certainly has its place and I believe its a really strong effort.

This is a good post...but I have to say about the last part.  It is not sad when eveyone does not agree with you.  It is just opinion.  This is a forum and the reason for it is to discuss music..good or bad.  Not everyone is going to love everything this band does.  I love MMJ but I didn't think EU was a good album.  I understand they were trying to do something different and I respect that but I don't think it worked.   Just my opinion...I'm sure others have different ones but I'm not sad when they do.

[wolof7]

I am so ready for this album it's rediculous...I have decided to wait til I get the package on my doorstep and drop the needle to listen to it, even gonna try and avoid the NPR stream (i say that now). Aside from the 3 songs I have heard off of it, which are all vastly different, I cannot see a common thread through anyone's premature evaluations. That is pretty interesting/exciting.

some stray observations:
- TTF, At Dawn, ISM had like 5-6 slower songs so I'm not surprised that the album has slower paced tracks. Esp. with the laidback despcriptions of the album making process.
- I've totally let go of any preconceptions of this band; they have proved that they are gonna go different each time out, I am not thinking of the other albums when approaching this one, Circuital will obviously have its own identity which is really exciting.
- I'm saddened that after 3 years we can't all just agree that EU was a solid record. I love it. Maybe not more than the others but it certainly has its place and I believe its a really strong effort.

This is a good post...but I have to say about the last part.  It is not sad when eveyone does not agree with you.  It is just opinion.  This is a forum and the reason for it is to discuss music..good or bad.  Not everyone is going to love everything this band does.  I love MMJ but I didn't think EU was a good album.  I understand they were trying to do something different and I respect that but I don't think it worked.   Just my opinion...I'm sure others have different ones but I'm not sad when they do.

That's fine, I was speaking more to the initial EU reaction which to me was a little harsh. I figured that with a 3 yr cooling off period, some opinions may change, but those are just hopes. Maybe you'll warm up to the album through the years Bold, kinda like I did to Modest Mouse who I initially berated and now love.

[Bigsky]

there's a new MMJ album?

[SaraBananaBear]

- I've totally let go of any preconceptions of this band; they have proved that they are gonna go different each time out, I am not thinking of the other albums when approaching this one, Circuital will obviously have its own identity which is really exciting.

- I'm saddened that after 3 years we can't all just agree that EU was a solid record. I love it. Maybe not more than the others but it certainly has its place and I believe its a really strong effort.

agreed on both counts 

Couldn't agree more! Best post in this thread so far :)

Thanks ladies.....I have to say of all my trying to get people I know into MMJ, Evil Urges was the best and easiest selling point. I think it appealed to people more who didn't come to expect anything from the band and that it was varied, spacerockin, and somewhat accessible musically. However, I know it sounds good in my ears and that's what counts.

Gotta agree again! Keep this up and soon you can just automatically put "Sara agrees" after your posts 

[Kory]

alright, i'm getting old... what are the cool kid torrent sites out there? PM please?
thx!

[sweatboard]

alright, i'm getting old... what are the cool kid torrent sites out there? PM please?
thx!

Haha,  I'm right there with you brother.  The fact that I don't know how to get the leak these days has really made it easy for me to abstain. 

[CodyT3212]

I feel like instead of turning this thread into one giant meme we should be discussing how fucking AMAZING Victory Dance is not only as an opener but as a song itself.  :D

[Honest Man]

VICTORY DANCE IS FUCKING NAAASSSSTTTYYY!!!!

[1eyed_jack]

Just so we're clear I very much intend to buy the vinyl of this album, so i'm not resting on what we have now.

that being said, I liked the album a lot. It was strange, sometimes albums take a while to grow on me, but this one each song took a minute or two haha. At the beginning of most songs i was skeptical but after a few minutes i was really digging them.

[gardenparty]

yep, Victory Dance is going to be an incredible opener!

[patrickbateman]

I haven't caved yet...

I'm pretty pumped about Victory Dance after the comments here, but there has been virtually no talk of other tracks on the album I have not heard in any form yet. Well maybe a little about Slow Slow Tune and Movin' Away. I'm wondering what people's opinions are of The Day Is Coming, Outta My System, First Light, and You Wanna Freak Out.

[FiddleCastro]

The Day is coming is pretty cool, it's got some Omnichord goodness, and a really cool intro.
Outta My System is pretty cool, too, I haven't really gotten into it as much as the other songs, though. 
First Light may be my favorite off the album, it reminds me of early-70's Who. Love it. 
I don't think anyone has the full "You Wanna Freak Out", but the first 1:41 makes me want more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bakerfall]

Circuital (album) is definitely better than Evil Urges on the whole, but I don't think it reaches the highs that EU did.  Circuital is desperately missing a heavy rocker :(

The first 7 songs work really well, good flow.  I'm not sure if "freak out" is really only 1:41 long, but that is it's length on the leak.  The last two songs are both very slow, probably too much so.

As others have said, Victory Dance is really great and will be a great live opener.  Day is Coming is midtempo, friend described as hall and oates meets motown.  Probably as good a description as I can come up with.  Feels a bit like Touch Me Part 1.  Outta My System has goofy lyrics, but they work.  Fun song.  First Light is probably the closest to a real rocker, sounds like "magical mystery tour"-era Beatles to me. 

It's a very good album, but def behind Z and everything earlier for me.

[walterfredo]

First Light may be my favorite off the album, it reminds me of early-70's Who. Love it. 

love it!!  Lovin' the synthy sounds ala highly suspicious.  Can't....stop....listening. (I caved).

[bakerfall]

First Light may be my favorite off the album, it reminds me of early-70's Who. Love it. 

love it!!  Lovin' the synthy sounds ala highly suspicious.  Can't....stop....listening. (I caved).

Wow, I would not compare it to Highly Suspicious at all.

[walterfredo]

not the song at all, not even close...just the 'synth' sounds that are in the beginning of the tune are very similar sounds/effects.  Probably shouldn't have even mentioned the 2 songs in the same sentence.

[bakerfall]

not the song at all, not even close...just the 'synth' sounds that are in the beginning of the tune are very similar sounds/effects.  Probably shouldn't have even mentioned the 2 songs in the same sentence.

I agree, First Light is a WAY better song :)

Although I would've liked one guitar solo on Circuital that was as dirty and raw as the solos in HS. 

[gardenparty]

Slow, Slow Tune is my early favorite.  I think it actually has the potential to be very epic live.   The solo is just waiting to explode a little more