regions of light and sound of god

[CooGarn]

Yesterday, I received the limited edition Regions bundle as a gift. The autographed poster was shipped in a soft envelope, separately from the rest of the items. Upon receipt, the envelope containing the poster was bent diagonally through the middle, which transferred to the poster as well. I am a little disappointed ground(ctrl) didn't do a better job getting these items to us considering the bundle wasn't cheap, and there were only 500 of them.

Send 'em an angry email. They should send you a replacement, or at the very least give you a partial refund or something.

[johnnYYac]

The album just got reviewed on NPR's All Things Considered.  I'm trying to find the audio and will post a link if successful. 

[johnnYYac]

The NPR All Things Considered review of Regions will be available by 7 pm EST tonight.  Interesting choice of tracks used in the story. 

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/13/171914800/jim-james-on-a-spiritual-quest-in-the-digital-age

[meltingaway]

"Nayeeeeeeeee"  is what i hear in State of the Art toward the end and I love it!

[johnnYYac]

The NPR All Things Considered review of Regions will be available by 7 pm EST tonight.  Interesting choice of tracks used in the story. 

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/13/171914800/jim-james-on-a-spiritual-quest-in-the-digital-age

Or download the mp3 here.

[rjlemons]

The NPR All Things Considered review of Regions will be available by 7 pm EST tonight.  Interesting choice of tracks used in the story. 

http://www.npr.org/2013/02/13/171914800/jim-james-on-a-spiritual-quest-in-the-digital-age

Or download the mp3 here.

Thanks Johnny, that was quite interesting. 

[oistheone]

Haven't read through any of this thread because I still haven't listened to it outside the first two tracks. But I finally got this bad boy on vinyl! So tonight I'll grab a little booze, get ready to boogie, and BLAST this record at last!

[BH]

This debuted at #34 on the Billboard 200.

Interestingly, it would have been several spots higher if the Grammy's didn't bump up a bunch of bands that have been on the charts for awhile.   

[pawpaw]

I'm not into Jim's new album. I'm a big fan of many of the types of music he seems to have been influenced by in making it, but the word "clumsy" keeps popping up in my head when I listen to RoLaSoG. Especially the lyrics...some of the writing is just not good, imo.

He's made plenty of other great music, so I'll listen to that instead.

[1eyed_jack]

Not sure if you guys know this, but you can buy the signed lithograph on the jim james website.

Had no idea it was up for sale but randomly checked today and there it was!

[BH]

All Is Forgiven might be my current favorite Jim song.       Those horns are sick.   There is no comparison to this song.   Seriously, just try.   Fill in the blank, All Is Forgiven sounds like ________.    I dare you.

[oistheone]

Listened to the album three times last night, and I've come to the conclusion that this is a record I dig!

The first side is a a stone-cold killer -- perfect flow. Love the soundscapes Jim creates. The songs build and build and build, making for an unreal headphone experience. You can tell Jim had a blast crafting these songs. The album is perfect for me up until about "All Is Forgiven" -- once those eerie Eastern-sounding horns enter the picture, it makes for an unnerving listening experience. I guess that's what he intended though -- this must be the "dark place" Jim was talking about. "God's Love To Deliver" starts out fantastic with a beautiful melody and very deep lyrical concept, but ultimately leaves me the same vibe, because of the same creepy snake-charming/distorted sax/synth/whatever it is going on. He sure loved using that sound -- it pops up in almost every song, but it kinda overtakes things on the last two tracks. Kind of ends the album in a weird way.

I just KNOW once I hear those two songs live, I'll come around on 'em though. And that will take this album my opinion of this album from "really good" to "great".

One thing I love about this album is how "Jim" it is. Talk about a guy who does it his own way. There is absolutely no compromise on this album whatsoever, it's just Jim following his every whim -- whether it be including audible distortion, a possible overreliance on the weird sax sound or even using a dental x-ray as album art. Gotta respect a man who sticks to his vision! Jim is a very interesting character, and I love that the album takes us on a 40-minute trip through his mind. It's an album full of contradictions and interesting aural juxtapositions -- dark but hopeful, soulful but rhythmically rigid, smooth sounds followed by bursts of distortion -- and I expect that is what will keep this album interesting for many, many listens.

[Fully]

I'm not into Jim's new album. I'm a big fan of many of the types of music he seems to have been influenced by in making it, but the word "clumsy" keeps popping up in my head when I listen to RoLaSoG. Especially the lyrics...some of the writing is just not good, imo.

He's made plenty of other great music, so I'll listen to that instead.

I thought some of the things you are saying at first listen, particularly about the lyrics, but then the album just clicked for me. I'm not saying you'll changed your mind-just that I did.

[SaraBananaBear]

Love it! A good blend of instantly lovable songs and grower songs, or whatever you would call that.

Lately State Of The Art has been playing in my mind constantly, it's come to the point where I fear might lose the ability to think of anything else and only be able to communicated through vowels. 

Also love that the 2:48 ooooo (for) part of A New Life kind of feels a little like the 2:26 oooo part of Slow Slow Tune.  And love the 1:17 build up of the awesome train-like-rhythm-thingy-that-makes-you-want-to-dance too!

So... yeah, it's a good thing I don't make my living reviewing music or I'd most likely starve. 

[rjlemons]

I'm not into Jim's new album. I'm a big fan of many of the types of music he seems to have been influenced by in making it, but the word "clumsy" keeps popping up in my head when I listen to RoLaSoG. Especially the lyrics...some of the writing is just not good, imo.

He's made plenty of other great music, so I'll listen to that instead.

I thought some of the things you are saying at first listen, particularly about the lyrics, but then the album just clicked for me. I'm not saying you'll changed your mind-just that I did.

I agree. The first word that came to mind for me was "simple". After it clicked, I thought "simply genius".

My suggestion would be: Build it up strong. Fill it up with love. And see it live. 

[e_wind]

I always liked it, but seeing it live was a game changer. Now I think its comparable to some of his best work with the jacket. I find it amazing. I've been listening to that and little else since we saw it live in nashville.

[YimYodd]

I always liked it, but seeing it live was a game changer. Now I think its comparable to some of his best work with the jacket. I find it amazing. I've been listening to that and little else since we saw it live in nashville.

Well said , e-wind.
The Nashville show was amazing, can't wait til May at the Cannery!

[davymac]

I'm loving the new album-just got it on vinyl...has anyone noticed on God's Love to Deliver at around 2:38-2:42 theres some strange voices-perhaps a hidden message? Sorry if this has already been mentioned, or maybe I'm just crazy! 

[johnnYYac]

I'm loving the new album-just got it on vinyl...has anyone noticed on God's Love to Deliver at around 2:38-2:42 theres some strange voices-perhaps a hidden message? Sorry if this has already been mentioned, or maybe I'm just crazy! 

When I was a kid, me and a friend played all kinds of albums backwards, based on rumors of hidden messages.  Led Zep, Queen, Styx, The Beatles, Pink Floyd...

I know someone recorded the ending of Off The Record backwards to see if there was a hidden message.  Perhaps someone can do the same with this?  I'm guessing its not the most healthy thing to do to an album, but wonder if it would be easy to put a song into Audacity or some other software backwards...

[CooGarn]

I'm loving the new album-just got it on vinyl...has anyone noticed on God's Love to Deliver at around 2:38-2:42 theres some strange voices-perhaps a hidden message? Sorry if this has already been mentioned, or maybe I'm just crazy! 

When I was a kid, me and a friend played all kinds of albums backwards, based on rumors of hidden messages.  Led Zep, Queen, Styx, The Beatles, Pink Floyd...

I know someone recorded the ending of Off The Record backwards to see if there was a hidden message.  Perhaps someone can do the same with this?  I'm guessing its not the most healthy thing to do to an album, but wonder if it would be easy to put a song into Audacity or some other software backwards...

I flipped it in Audacity, but I'm pretty sure it's still gibberish haha