Circuital.... anyone heard the entire album yet?

[Ruckus]

I'm Amazed or Two Halves  will always come across as terrible soft rock, pop songs playable next to Michael Bolton and Bryan Adams.  That won't change.

I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with, you didn't address anything I said. I never said people aren't allowed to criticize Evil Urges did I?

I don't want to beef about this but I couldn't have been more clear in my previous post, not the section you quoted.  No one needs to be told how to appreciate an album.
If a>b and b>c then pop goes the wiesel and the wiesel goes pop!

[MyJacket18]

I really agree with the OP here. My review is here... http://www.mymorningjacket.com/forum/index.php?topic=14370.0

[mahgeetah]

I'm with BH and Tater on this one. 

My stance is you open your Christmas presents on Christmas morning and you don't whine about getting the wrong color Power Ranger if you open your presents on December 3rd....or say this Christmas isn't as good as last Christmas, with the wrong color Power Ranger on December 3rd. Weak.

Go to a band's web site after obtaining their music without their consent or permission then bash it! How cool is that?  :-\      oh, but I'm a fan.... whatever.

makes me just want to bite my pillow

Not really buying this analogy... but to each their own.

Let's not be so moralistic about this here folks... if the band (or label) is so concerned about an album leaking, they wouldn't issue advanced copies to music industry folks in the first place. They would behave more like, say, Radiohead, who keeps it 100% under wraps until the day they release it to everyone.

Most people here are probably buying/have bought the album anyway. I know I am... not to mention the thousands of dollars I've already spent on this bands albums, concerts, and merchandise... So I don't see how, in this context, that these sort of criticisms represent an undercutting of the band.

That being said, I'm sure they don't want it to leak any earlier than necessary, and I'm sure they hope that a leak (or pirated music in general) doesn't affect record sales too drastically. But an album leaking and its fans dissecting it, praising, and criticizing it, on the band's forums, on other websites, and by word of mouth, is, for better or worse, par for the course.

I'm sure the band has enough confidence in their artistry to not give two shits about what someone says on their website forum about their new, as of yet unreleased, album. I'd think they'd lose more sleep over a Rolling Stone review.

[BigHerm]

I'm Amazed or Two Halves  will always come across as terrible soft rock, pop songs playable next to Michael Bolton and Bryan Adams.  That won't change.

I'm not sure what you are disagreeing with, you didn't address anything I said. I never said people aren't allowed to criticize Evil Urges did I?

I don't want to beef about this but I couldn't have been more clear in my previous post, not the section you quoted.

Dude, I never said people couldn't criticize an album, or compare albums. All I said was, at this stage in the game, if you are expecting a new release to sound like an old one you are being irrational, and likely setting yourself up for disappointment.

[EasyRyder]

I'm sure the band has enough confidence in their artistry to not give two shits about what someone says on their website forum about their new, as of yet unreleased, album. I'd think they'd lose more sleep over a Rolling Stone review.

that may be true, and I think it more than likely is (thank goodness  ;)). From interviews I've read, the crowd's reaction in a live setting and the vibe they get from their audience matters most to these fine fellows. The best we can do is show up with no expectations to the upcoming shows and rock our faces off, forget about opinions, and just get into that universal groove.

My only two cents I want to add is that no one has mentioned the stage in life that these guys are in. Carl and Patrick are family men, and Jim, Tommy, and Bo are approaching their forties. Without implying that they are "aging" by any means, I personally think their music is rather beautifully maturing with them.

They offered us a glimpse into their current mental and emotional state, and it may not be a full on rocking rape and pillage piss on the ashes kind of "quick get a bucket I don't want my face to ruin the new carpet" kind of album- it is what it is what they are......man.

dig it....or not. It's like this, you see- their music has circled back to their organic beginnings, but now it seems to express their newest visions of matured beauty. Like some idiot once said:

"The affairs of music ought, somehow, to terminate in a love of the beautiful" - Plato

that's all it is and all it ever will be...(sry for carrying myself away  ::))

[el_chode]

Radiohead can keep it under wraps because Radiohead has twice the career length and repertoire that MMJ has.

Like them as much as you want, but they're quite far from having the security or popularity to do what Radiohead does.

They need to send advance copies if they're going to get sales on the drop date from more than just rabid fans. They need write ups and reviews to build the hype to sell tickets before the album drops and to say "if you don't want leaks then don't push an album" is about as good an argument as "if you don't want people to steal music, then don't make music"

[mahgeetah]

Personally, everything the band was saying about the album, the hype, and the amazing-ness of the song Circuital, left me feeling a little underwhelmed after I listened to the rest of the album... at least after 4 or 5 listens. But I know it will grow on me more, and I also know (or at least suspect) this album won't be as highly regarded by the majority of fans or critics as pre-EU albums.

But whatever, it's new MMJ music, I fuckin' love this band, they're the artists, not us, and I'm grateful for what it is and for three shows this summer!

[mahgeetah]

Radiohead can keep it under wraps because Radiohead has twice the career length and repertoire that MMJ has.

Like them as much as you want, but they're quite far from having the security or popularity to do what Radiohead does.

They need to send advance copies if they're going to get sales on the drop date from more than just rabid fans. They need write ups and reviews to build the hype to sell tickets before the album drops and to say "if you don't want leaks then don't push an album" is about as good an argument as "if you don't want people to steal music, then don't make music"

Fair enough, but none of it changes the fact that this is what happens... all I was saying is that the band probably expects it and they're probably not as big of cry-babies about it as people on this board seem to be about it happening.

[el_chode]

Radiohead can keep it under wraps because Radiohead has twice the career length and repertoire that MMJ has.

Like them as much as you want, but they're quite far from having the security or popularity to do what Radiohead does.

They need to send advance copies if they're going to get sales on the drop date from more than just rabid fans. They need write ups and reviews to build the hype to sell tickets before the album drops and to say "if you don't want leaks then don't push an album" is about as good an argument as "if you don't want people to steal music, then don't make music"

Fair enough, but none of it changes the fact that this is what happens... all I was saying is that the band probably expects it and they're probably not as big of cry-babies about it as people on this board seem to be about it happening.

I definitely agree. I mean if anything, they know that the majority of people here have either already paid a generous sum for some nice goodies, or will be paying the same come May 31.

[CTdeadhead]

Can anyone form a real opinion on a Radiohead release in 2 days?  I couldnt that's for sure, it takes me  listening for weeks, months, hell even years on Kid A for me.

Leaks are like modern radio play I think, appeal to the masses as soon as possible for the upcoming release date.   Leaks create hype which creates sales.  Its a business decision these days, not always piracy. 

[darkglow]

Can anyone form a real opinion on a Radiohead release in 2 days?  I couldnt that's for sure, it takes me  listening for weeks, months, hell even years on Kid A for me.

Leaks are like modern radio play I think, appeal to the masses as soon as possible for the upcoming release date.   Leaks create hype which creates sales.  Its a business decision these days, not always piracy.

i agree 100% here.... never really understood the way i felt about them until just reading this.. what's crackin me up are all the "virgins" who question their virginity because of listening to the singles..

[e_wind]

1. I agree with CT and DG, I've listened a solid 10 times and still everytime I listen I notice something new in almost every song. These reviews are premature, imo.

2. This is a discouraging time on the board. I've been waiting for onslaught of anger and sadness to hit (a la EU leak times) and I think it's here. It sucks that everything I read is someone else bitching about a record they've listened to five times, and not even in its entirety. I wonder how many people will say the record is great if there ends up being a 60 second+ guitar solo in you wanna freak out.

[wolof7]

what's crackin me up are all the "virgins" who question their virginity because of listening to the singles..

I'll take this one on....it's more about the process and ritual of owning the album with the artwork and all its sonic quality, it's not a choice backed by any kind of holier than thou attitude. Leaks are obviously gonna happen we have just decided to wait for the real thing :-*...Most of us "virgins" have felt up or have gone down on the officially released singles just not gone all the way with the leak.

[Bigsky]

Bite my pillow!   ;D

[mahgeetah]

Despite my initial mixed feelings about the new album, long term, I'd rather feel this way now than to already think every song is great. Anytime an album sounds totally palatable on the first few listens, at least in my experience, it ends up being unimpressive in the long term.

There was a similar thread on viachicago recently in response to Jeff Tweedy's comments about the new albums never living up to seasoned fans' expectations or likings. To sum it up, it's very difficult for a new album to ever really satisfy old fans because they have too much nostalgia and other strong, positive associations with the "sound" of the older albums.

I think if a new album from a veteran band brings a couple of songs that end up in a personal "repertoire" of a fan's favorite songs, and/or a couple songs that end up in the bands regular live repertoire, then that is a great thing.

For myself, on EU, that was the Touch Me's, and Smokin. From Circuital, probably Circuital, The Day Is Coming, maybe You Wanna Freak Out.

[adl6690]

This is my first post on the forum. I also became a fan right after Evil Urges, and sort of dove right in to all of the material (I was always a huge Wilco fan and then got turned on to MMJ after seeing them live) I have been dying for this album for the longest time, and closely following it. It was really encouraging to hear about MMJ using a really "live sound" and returning to their roots. However, this album does not seem to deliver on those claims imo. I have only listened to it about five times, but I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed.
I really love Victory Dance, and the transition into Circuital. Also, The day is coming is a cool track. I've always loved Black Metal, and it actually benefits from listening to it in the record. However, I can't help but feel like the other songs are mid tempo "fillers" that aren't too memorable (lacking cool guitar work, unrestrained vocals etc). I really want to love this record, but I just feel a little disappointed.

That said, we haven't heard all of You Wanna Freak Out, and one thing about records that I have learned  is that the direction of one song can really change the perception of the record. Personally, about 5 more minutes (perhaps a rocking guitar jam) would be awesome. In addition, I am excited to see the songs live, because that always gets me more pumped about them.

[CTdeadhead]

My guess is that the one incomplete track is put there intentionally by the "Leakers".  That way we all drool like Pavlovian dogs so when it comes out we've been conditioned.  The split track is there so those people who love the leak will want the complete release. 

But than again, I am a pathological completist so maybe that's why I think this?

[e_wind]

Despite my initial mixed feelings about the new album, long term, I'd rather feel this way now than to already think every song is great. Anytime an album sounds totally palatable on the first few listens, at least in my experience, it ends up being unimpressive in the long term.

There was a similar thread on viachicago recently in response to Jeff Tweedy's comments about the new albums never living up to seasoned fans' expectations or likings. To sum it up, it's very difficult for a new album to ever really satisfy old fans because they have too much nostalgia and other strong, positive associations with the "sound" of the older albums.

I think if a new album from a veteran band brings a couple of songs that end up in a personal "repertoire" of a fan's favorite songs, and/or a couple songs that end up in the bands regular live repertoire, then that is a great thing.

For myself, on EU, that was the Touch Me's, and Smokin. From Circuital, probably Circuital, The Day Is Coming, maybe You Wanna Freak Out.

I've never really thought about this, but it does seem true. I don't think I'll ever be 100% satisfied with a record, because none of them will ever be It Still Moves. EU wasn't a masterpiece like Z,  but it does leave us with a few great songs, and few good songs. It would be dumb for a band to remake the same album, and I will be agree with the masses and applaud MMJ for making so many different sounding records. when it comes down to it, this is my favorite record released by any band since MoF or Backspacer, so I can't really complain. and on May 31st at the palace we will see the albums true potential. Some one (either sticky or chode) said that it seems like jacket will continue in a phish-like process, writing simplistic songs on record and save the real treat for their brain explosion of a live concert. I'm stoked on this band as much as I ever have been, and can't wait for the 5 shows I'm seeing this summer.

[e_wind]

My guess is that the one incomplete track is put there intentionally by the "Leakers".  That way we all drool like Pavlovian dogs so when it comes out we've been conditioned.  The split track is there so those people who love the leak will want the complete release. 

But than again, I am a pathological completist so maybe that's why I think this?

We already know that the record is just about 46 minutes, which puts YWFO at 4:16-ish. This unless theres some shit we dont know about. I wasn't around for the EU leak, so I'm not sure what people meant when they said the leak only contained most of the songs. Thats a possibility I suppose if they really really kept the other songs underwraps. I dont think it will happen but i guess its possible.

[bold99]

My personal opinion which I stated when EU leaked,  I will try to be nicer this time  ;).

I think it's disingenuous to the band ( that your a HUGE fan of ) to give a negative view of it before the the official release.  We don't want to discourage people from BUYING it do we ?

Steve H. Welcome to the board.  I hope you enjoy it more after you buy it. It may grow on you.

I really don't see a big deal with people giving their review a little early...you are going to see official reviews before the album is out on the 31st anyway...so what is the difference?  that is how the music business works these days like it or not.  Bands take chances...if all the reviews were 100% positive up till now nobody would really care and the band would benefit.  Leaks are not always accidental...like someone said earlier..if they really wanted to keep it under wraps they would have.