regions of light and sound of god

[BH]

I actually love a lot of the lyrics.   

In particular, his questioning of the merits of technology in State of the Art.   That hits home with me quite a bit as me and my wife struggle with how much time our kids spend on computer/tv/ipod touches.    I think kids today are missing something in their brains that we developed as kids having to be creative to have fun, explore our souroundings, etc.

Also, I grew up Catholic and still am, but I have many issues with it that are similar to Jim's issues.   I think the "old white man attitude" has indeed ruined it and turned it into a lot of political bull shit.    Therefore I LOVE Of The Mother Again.    We could use some more female influence in this world.   Men fight, men kill, men rape, men start wars.

And how about A New Life?   Is this the greatest romance song of all?   How is this not the perfect "wedding song"?   

The love: Babe, let's get one thing clear, there's much more STARDUST when your near.
But reality:  But you know it won't come easy, but what's more, it's worth working for.

This is perfect example of a Jim song that changes meaning.  At first it sounds like Jim is going somewhere else, "I want a new life. (Period)"   Repeated several times, until he lets you in on it..."I want a new life.....WITH YOU!"    Totally turns the song around.   Clever me thinks.    It reminds me of Changing World.   The line when Jim says, Why am I afraid to live a lie?  He draws out lie but then enunciates the FFFF at the end and it changes to Why am I afraid to live a life.   BUT THEN!    another long pause and he adds "of love" and it changes the meaning again!    I've see these little things since Tennesee Fire.   There are lots of double meanings and words that you can hear two different ways, and I know it's on purpose because the official lyrics even used to have some of them in parenthesis.

Anyway, I realize that at times he might not get mistaken with the greatest poets of all time, but the fact that anybody is surprised by the style of lyrics amazes me, because it seems to me it's been the same mysterious, quirky, seemingly simple, sometimes goofy lyrics that it's always been.   Did "They Ran" win a literary award that I didn't know about. 

I guess I just like the mystery.  The vagueness.    You can apply your own meanings to it.    And when it comes down to it, when I close my eyes and he he's screaming, "ALL IS FORGIVEN" it could be in Japanese, and it really wouldn't matter to me.

[Fully]

I actually love a lot of the lyrics.   

In particular, his questioning of the merits of technology in State of the Art.   That hits home with me quite a bit as me and my wife struggle with how much time our kids spend on computer/tv/ipod touches.    I think kids today are missing something in their brains that we developed as kids having to be creative to have fun, explore our souroundings, etc.

Also, I grew up Catholic and still am, but I have many issues with it that are similar to Jim's issues.   I think the "old white man attitude" has indeed ruined it and turned it into a lot of political bull shit.    Therefore I LOVE Of The Mother Again.    We could use some more female influence in this world.   Men fight, men kill, men rape, men start wars.

And how about A New Life?   Is this the greatest romance song of all?   How is this not the perfect "wedding song"?   

The love: Babe, let's get one thing clear, there's much more STARDUST when your near.
But reality:  But you know it won't come easy, but what's more, it's worth working for.

This is perfect example of a Jim song that changes meaning.  At first it sounds like Jim is going somewhere else, "I want a new life. (Period)"   Repeated several times, until he lets you in on it..."I want a new life.....WITH YOU!"    Totally turns the song around.   Clever me thinks.    It reminds me of Changing World.   The line when Jim says, Why am I afraid to live a lie?  He draws out lie but then enunciates the FFFF at the end and it changes to Why am I afraid to live a life.   BUT THEN!    another long pause and he adds "of love" and it changes the meaning again!    I've see these little things since Tennesee Fire.   There are lots of double meanings and words that you can hear two different ways, and I know it's on purpose because the official lyrics even used to have some of them in parenthesis.

Anyway, I realize that at times he might not get mistaken with the greatest poets of all time, but the fact that anybody is surprised by the style of lyrics amazes me, because it seems to me it's been the same mysterious, quirky, seemingly simple, sometimes goofy lyrics that it's always been.   Did "They Ran" win a literary award that I didn't know about. 

I guess I just like the mystery.  The vagueness.    You can apply your own meanings to it.    And when it comes down to it, when I close my eyes and he he's screaming, "ALL IS FORGIVEN" it could be in Japanese, and it really wouldn't matter to me.

I really like what you've written here. When you go on a passionate explanation rampage, it really turns out lovely, BH.

[Angelo]

And how about A New Life?   Is this the greatest romance song of all?   How is this not the perfect "wedding song"?   

Very nicely said BH, all of it. My fiancee and I agree with you completely on this, so much so that we decided just this past weekend to make it our wedding song. Her idea. It's perfect.

[Shug]

Yeah, BH, good stuff! Your writing makes me want to try to appreciate the album more than I do right now.  Those are really good honest inspiring lyrics that really ring true in A New Life and its cool, Angelo, that you and your fiance are using the song for your wedding.

[Fully]

I have a feeling that A New Life is going to be used at a lot of weddings in the future. It's perfect for it. (I'm really making a groundbreaking prediction here.)

[BH]

I have a feeling that A New Life is going to be used at a lot of weddings in the future. It's perfect for it. (I'm really making a groundbreaking prediction here.)

I know!   People at the wedding who don't know the song will be thinking, OK, boring slow dance, and then BAM!  all of a sudden your dancing all pulp fiction chuck berry you never can tell.   Take that old people enjoying your wedding cake!

[johnnYYac]

I had the opportunity today to play Regions at significant volume. It sounds exceptional played loud!  Might explain the love its received on stage.

[Dillsnufus]

http://www.fuse.tv/2013/02/the-roots-black-thought-jim-james-blues-album

This should be good

[capt. scotty]

http://www.fuse.tv/2013/02/the-roots-black-thought-jim-james-blues-album

This should be good

Sounds very intriguing but also very vague based on the article and youtube clip. Even hearing Black Thought talk about it he almost made it sound like he was a guest featured on the album and its not his.

When I first saw the link, I was thinking a JJ backed by the Roots blues album in its entirety. Now that would be bad ass.

[justbcuzido]

http://www.fuse.tv/2013/02/the-roots-black-thought-jim-james-blues-album

This should be good

Sounds very intriguing but also very vague based on the article and youtube clip. Even hearing Black Thought talk about it he almost made it sound like he was a guest featured on the album and its not his.

When I first saw the link, I was thinking a JJ backed by the Roots blues album in its entirety. Now that would be bad ass.

I concur! I got a little taste of what he could do with blues on Honest Man, and I have been wishing for more ever since. It's like when a crack dealer gives you the first hit free, you will always want more!

[MMJCOBRA]

No groundbreaking comments from me. Just wanted to say this is exactly the type of Jim James solo work I was hoping for, beautiful, tender, and with a small dose of funk mixed in.

THis is a perfect album to chill out and drink coffee to before work....or to listen to after a few nighttime beverages!!!

Can't wait for the Nashville show!!

[Dillsnufus]

http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/02/camera-obscura-enlist-jim-james-and-neko-case-for-new-album-desire-lines/

[Murph]

http://consequenceofsound.net/2013/02/camera-obscura-enlist-jim-james-and-neko-case-for-new-album-desire-lines/

He's everywhere!  Camera Obscura dont have a bad record to date and I've been waiting on a new one for awhile now.  Needless to say though, this one is already off to a good start.

[sweatboard]

Dear One on vinyl with headphones cranked up is fucking nuts....what's better than Jim?  2 Jims.  I am really loving the effort he put into the sound on this thing.  Just some real mindblowing shit. 

[sweatboard]

I actually love a lot of the lyrics.   

In particular, his questioning of the merits of technology in State of the Art.   That hits home with me quite a bit as me and my wife struggle with how much time our kids spend on computer/tv/ipod touches.    I think kids today are missing something in their brains that we developed as kids having to be creative to have fun, explore our souroundings, etc.

Also, I grew up Catholic and still am, but I have many issues with it that are similar to Jim's issues.   I think the "old white man attitude" has indeed ruined it and turned it into a lot of political bull shit.    Therefore I LOVE Of The Mother Again.    We could use some more female influence in this world.   Men fight, men kill, men rape, men start wars.

And how about A New Life?   Is this the greatest romance song of all?   How is this not the perfect "wedding song"?   

The love: Babe, let's get one thing clear, there's much more STARDUST when your near.
But reality:  But you know it won't come easy, but what's more, it's worth working for.

This is perfect example of a Jim song that changes meaning.  At first it sounds like Jim is going somewhere else, "I want a new life. (Period)"   Repeated several times, until he lets you in on it..."I want a new life.....WITH YOU!"    Totally turns the song around.   Clever me thinks.    It reminds me of Changing World.   The line when Jim says, Why am I afraid to live a lie?  He draws out lie but then enunciates the FFFF at the end and it changes to Why am I afraid to live a life.   BUT THEN!    another long pause and he adds "of love" and it changes the meaning again!    I've see these little things since Tennesee Fire.   There are lots of double meanings and words that you can hear two different ways, and I know it's on purpose because the official lyrics even used to have some of them in parenthesis.

Anyway, I realize that at times he might not get mistaken with the greatest poets of all time, but the fact that anybody is surprised by the style of lyrics amazes me, because it seems to me it's been the same mysterious, quirky, seemingly simple, sometimes goofy lyrics that it's always been.   Did "They Ran" win a literary award that I didn't know about. 

I guess I just like the mystery.  The vagueness.    You can apply your own meanings to it.    And when it comes down to it, when I close my eyes and he he's screaming, "ALL IS FORGIVEN" it could be in Japanese, and it really wouldn't matter to me.

nice, nail, head, meet hammer. 

[sweatboard]

Just listened to it for the first time, pretty surprised, pleasantly surprised, absolutely love it.  As some have written, I kinda thought it might be a whole bunch of Golden and Burmuda Highway, Jim acoustic, which is by no means a bad thing, but is something he's already done with the band.  This is pretty out there, but no so far out there as to be inaccessible.  Aspects have been explored with the band I think (TMIGTS, TDIC), and it's certainly derived from things being done by others, but I think it's a move forward/diverging from the rock/folk/soul sound of MMJ.  Which I am sure none of us want to stop or be too altered within the confines of the band.

Too me it's almost describable as maybe electronic/soul, which is not something that hasn't been done, but also isn't a genre combination that has been fully explored.  I am searching my mind for comparisons and having a difficult time thinking of them right now, though I suspect they will come over time.  I almost heard a little Massive Attack, and maybe a little Lucky Soul (albeit w/ a male singer).  I am sure I will think of more later, probably more closely related and appropriate comparisons, but regardless, I am excited.

Of course who knows how closely the actual album will hew to this song release, but if this is an indication, I can't wait to February.  I am a fan of electronic music, and jazz, and soul, and experimentation in general, so this song bodes well for me.  I can see how some might not be enthused, but it's nice to see an artist who you already enjoy, branch out into other areas that you already enjoy.  It's a double bonus.

[johnnYYac]

Dear One on vinyl with headphones cranked up is fucking nuts....what's better than Jim?  2 Jims.  I am really loving the effort he put into the sound on this thing.  Just some real mindblowing shit.

It really is.  You got me to do just that, headphones for Dear One.  Heard some shit I'd yet to hear.  I need to do the whole album with 'phones. 

A lot of people, including me, have stated the album feels a bit thin, unpolished, words to that effect.  Yet, it really is a complex effort.  It looks like he's developed a tight live version (looking forward to 4/26!).  It only gets better after each listen.  Considering how much I've listened to it... 

And kudos, Brian, for bringing Erik back into the conversation.  I miss him.

He's writing about just one song, "Know Til Know" is my guess.  Such a thoughful analysis, positive vibe.  I wonder if he ever heard the whole album, though it would have to have been the leak.  I've got to put the kids to bed, but I'll spin RoL&SoG into headphones for Erik to hear...

[BH]

This Dear One.   Also nice.

http://youtu.be/-8f-wRWvyzA

[sweatboard]

Dear One on vinyl with headphones cranked up is fucking nuts....what's better than Jim?  2 Jims.  I am really loving the effort he put into the sound on this thing.  Just some real mindblowing shit.

It really is.  You got me to do just that, headphones for Dear One.  Heard some shit I'd yet to hear.  I need to do the whole album with 'phones. 

A lot of people, including me, have stated the album feels a bit thin, unpolished, words to that effect.  Yet, it really is a complex effort.  It looks like he's developed a tight live version (looking forward to 4/26!).  It only gets better after each listen.  Considering how much I've listened to it... 

And kudos, Brian, for bringing Erik back into the conversation.  I miss him.

He's writing about just one song, "Know Til Know" is my guess.  Such a thoughful analysis, positive vibe.  I wonder if he ever heard the whole album, though it would have to have been the leak.  I've got to put the kids to bed, but I'll spin RoL&SoG into headphones for Erik to hear...

Yeah, he had awesome things to say.... just a really great soul.  I will also spin it with him in mind right now.

[Misti]

I think I always want to do this, because they are probably my two favorite current bands, but I get a little bit of Radiohead experimentation from the track as well.  The repetitive electronic sounds, the groove...

I always want to find parallels with my favorite bands though, it's a sickness.  Even if non-existent, I want to find them.  I always compare a bands album arc to the Beatles or Zeppelin or whomever, looking for patterns, comparing sales, experimentation and 'progress', etc.

My wife is a huge Radiohead fan, and generally favors electronic music, and as soon as I heard Know Til Now I thought, 'will she like this?'.  Anyway, who cares, I 'dig it the most'.

I did like it, scrappy. Love and miss you so much. Wish you were here to talk about it.. :'(

Erik (exist10z) was so excited about this album. He text me as soon as he found the video: