I've figured out why MMJ is not immensly popular..

[buster douglas]

This is something that has been bugging me ever since I became a fan of the band.  Why is this not one of the most famous bands in the world?
Sure, their original sound is a little indie and reserved for the hardcore music fan scene, but over the years as we know MMJ's has grown and evolved into something so beautiful and epic that it is rightfully fit for the masses.  (and I do realize that they are very successful, but in my opinion, I can't see why someone like Coldplay or Kings of Leon are so accepted by the mainstream while MMJ is still relatively unknown.)

I think the last decade has seen plenty of catchy, almost built-for-radio releases, and yet the industry at large pays them no mind.  I'm sure you all agree so I don't have to recap (though OBH, Wordless Chorus, Gideon and I'm Amazed seem like obvious standouts).

The extreme potency for mass-consumption of these songs and others has lead me to believe that there is only one logical conclusion:

THERE IS AN INDUSTRY-WIDE CONSPIRACY TO HOLD MY MORNING JACKET DOWN.  Why?  Because MMJ is so goshdarn great, that once their music hits the ears of the record-buying public, it will render all other music irrelevant and unwanted, thereby crashing the entire industry.

M I RITE??? ;D

[el_chode]

Society has been regressing to a more infantile state over the years, starting with the reptitive nature of pop music's simple lyrics over near music-box quality sounds a few years back, our ever increasing reliance on government, and ultimately the three biggest acts in the nation across age groups are the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, and Taylor Swift.

MMJ is just too advanced for the world, like dropping an omnichord in Mozart's crib.

[buster douglas]

Jim told me the next album is gonna be 100% auto-tuned.

[AMightyCaporal]

Jim told me the next album is gonna be 100% auto-tuned.

I heard Kanye is producing it

[Soulshine]

You know how only certain people or animals can hear certain tones and sounds and stuff???? I think you have to be a certain level of f*cking kick ass with an elevated soul level to be able to really HEAR mmj....and that is us.

[johnnYYac]

If I may chime in here...  I've been very frustrated that some of my closest friends- guys I grew up with and shared music with- really don't like MMJ.  I've tried to share some classic MMJ with them and the response has been tepid.  

Part of my fear is that my obsessive love for MMJ is too much for them to take.  They don't see the thrill.  Its part of the reason why I encouraged them to check out My Morning Straightjacket on American Dad.  It mirrored my experiences in so many ways.

I also wonder if they are jealous of the fact that I've found something in music to be passionate about while they're stuck in the mainstream.

One other question is age.  At 42, I think I'm older than the typical MMJ fan.  Does that factor into the question?  

I think we need to recognize that, based on the fact that we're posting regularly to an MMJ forum, we are a cut above the casual music listener. While some of these friends can't get into MMJ, its not as if they have a passion for any particular band or type of music.

Well, I've had the flu for a few days, so I'm not sure I'm making any sense.  I look forward to seeing what others say about this topic.

PS  Does anyone else think we may need to consider an intervention for Sticky?  ;)

[Sassbox]

I do think the age thing might have something to do with it. I've noticed a lot of my friends (I'm 46) who are just casual music fans aren't really interested in discovering a lot of new bands.

And, you know? It's ok if people don't like MMJ. We can just feel sorry they will never know the joy we've all experienced.  :)

[kydiddle]

You know how only certain people or animals can hear certain tones and sounds and stuff???? I think you have to be a certain level of f*cking kick ass with an elevated soul level to be able to really HEAR mmj....and that is us.

;D

[manicfanatic]

Not sure I want MMJ to become one of the biggest bands on the planet.  I kind of like them where they are at right now.  Certainly don't want them to start playing stadiums.  And I certainly don't want Jim becoming another Chris Martin!!!  Look at what's become of KOL over the last few years.  Don't think I want that to happen to my fav band.  It would be nicer if more people heard their music and that may happen over time.  

And Johnny and Sassbox, nice to see some over 40 fans on here.  I am 45.

[Soulshine]

I think they're at a perfect level too. I def dont want it to get too big and crazy. They're in the right place.

[ALady]

I think they're at a perfect level too. I def dont want it to get too big and crazy. They're in the right place.

I see what you did there   ;)

[AlwxanderD10]

You know how only certain people or animals can hear certain tones and sounds and stuff???? I think you have to be a certain level of f*cking kick ass with an elevated soul level to be able to really HEAR mmj....and that is us.

I actually think this is true  ;D Almost everytime im with my friends I try to show them an mmj or white stripes song  or any of us cool peoples music and I know they hear it but they go right on talking about the new kanye or jay-z song and don't even seem interested. Their musical ignorance bothers me :-[

[capt. scotty]

If I may chime in here...  I've been very frustrated that some of my closest friends- guys I grew up with and shared music with- really don't like MMJ.  I've tried to share some classic MMJ with them and the response has been tepid.  

1 of my friends kept asking me to burn him some MMJ, I think partly bc of how much I bring them up and stuff, so I burned him Bonnaroo 2008. Havent heard yet what he thinks of it.

If he doesnt like it, the conclusion Ive come to is to get him and my other friends to an MMJ show at some point. If that doesnt do it, it aint happening

[Ruckus]

I wish they weren't as big as they are now.  I miss seeing them in smaller venues but I'm obviously happy for the financial security it has brought them.  Also, many of my friends who have a wide range of musical tastes, just aren't enamored by JJ's voice.  If you don't like the voice, it ain't gonna work and I've met many who actually can't stand his voice. :-/

So yes, I'd say conspiracy ;)

As the great Tracy said, you can't make me like or understand Animal Collective ;D

[capt. scotty]

They have gotten bigger over the last few years, but looking at the big picture, they arent that popular. They're still in the middle sized, GA outdoor venue stratosphere, and Im not sure theyll ever play outdoor amphitheaters as headliners. When you got skillz like MMJ and kill it at Bonnaroo, you cant play 1000 person venues forever.

...as for Barn Animal Collective Noises, dont even get me started

[el_chode]

I do think the age thing might have something to do with it. I've noticed a lot of my friends (I'm 46) who are just casual music fans aren't really interested in discovering a lot of new bands.

And, you know? It's ok if people don't like MMJ. We can just feel sorry they will never know the joy we've all experienced.  :)

I'm 27. I've found the same in my own age group. The only people I've been able to turn on to the band are my fiancee via live experience and Golden, and my friend, a total metalhead,  assumed they were hippie bastards until I played one song and he's thoroughly convinced that seeing them live is a necessity since equating my love for the band + some press reviews to mean there's gotta be something there.

My only other friend who is into them is a jam band fanatic and will listen to just about anything that's rootsy enough. Everyone else? Wrapped up in being uber-hipster and deciding they can only like Merriweather Post Pavilion and fad bands coming out of Williamsburg or trying so damn hard to seem anti-hipster that U2 and Bruce is good enough for them, thankyouverymuch.  Oh, and everyone I know seems to be reluctant to either leave 80s one hit wonderdom or 90s reunion acts.

The other common theme: my friends who like the band are also musicians.

So yeah...the real reason is part of my half-serious post above: it's that the mainstream isn't inclined towards music that challenges its listener. The industry is a push industry where it relies on creating its own demand, and its much easier to create the demand for a formula than for something so unpredictable. At the same time we need to keep in mind that the boys sold out MSG on NYE during one of the roughest economic times in recent memory. I don't think Mariah Carey was even able to pull that off this year. And it's not going to be a performance anyone remembers.

I think the band is as big as a "newer" band can get right now, maybe just shy of Wilcodom. The only bigger acts have years and years of reputation behind them...Pearl Jam, DMB, Phish, etc.

/diatribe OVER

[danz]

I really enjoyed reading all the posts in this thread.

I too suffer from the confusion as to why more people aren't into MMJ.  MMJ is like the bible to my religion and occasionally, I admit, I preach the gospel.  So far I've only successfully made one new fan - my room mate - and discovered only two other friends who are into them.  While I am stunned almost everyday that I never "run" into their music, I also like the non-main stream demographic of the band.

[TGMC421]

It frustrates me aswell that more people don't understand how amazing Jim and the gang really are but I also am grateful they aren't hugely mainstream for reasons others have stated. I'm proud of them regardless if they become more successful or stay in the same level.

Also, my girl Mariah did sell out on New Years eve.  ;)

[TEO]

Most people are sheep. Sheep follow what is popular. The Boys are not going to "sell out" to become popular...

[AMightyCaporal]

Like most of the stories here I have been unsuccessful in creating other jacketheads (parents dig them and love that I love MMJ)  the fiancee really really likes them, not as obsessed as I but still, she enjoys listening when I put them on. (Smokin from shootin is her favorite song)

I think that because we are all SO in love with MMJ, we want to share that love.  If people don't dig it as much as we do then we take it personally.  Don't push to hard my brothers and sisters... I enjoyed MMJs music for a few months then I saw them at Radio City and EVERYTHING changed.  One must really see them live to fully "get it"

I'm bringing my fiancee's brother to the next show nearby, as a musician he should really get into them.