Thoughts on "is"

[Lonndown27]

Die for It is the best song on the album followed by Out In The Open, the two best MMJ songs since Circuital and Victory Dance.

[Lonndown27]

It's a very polished album, but I'm ok with however the hell it sounds because THE SONGS ARE BETTER.

[gardenparty78]

the fact that I will be excited to hear every one of these songs live is huge! 

[MMJTX]

the fact that I will be excited to hear every one of these songs live is huge! 

That's what I keep saying as well, for the last 3-4 albums I haven't gotten super excited for a normal one off show cause i knew they'd be doing more songs from their new album and gave me less of a chance to hear deep tracks, but with this album i'm almost like "man i can't wait to get as many of these songs as i can", and THAT is how you know it's a good album, very happy for the boys.

[rkwedge]

[APR]

 After many listens, I really appreciate the excellent lyrics, innovative sounds, and different kinds of songs these guys are pulling out 25 years into their career.  There are some top level MMJ songs on is that compare favorably to some of their best stuff.  I thoroughly love a handful of these songs and am thrilled with the album overall.

I'm curious which songs get extended jams or an extra guitar solo.  We'll find out soon enough.  Even amongst my non favorites (Half a Lifetime, Squid Ink) of the album, I'm still looking forward to seeing them in concert.  Beginning, Die for It, Everyday Magic are my top three at this time.  River Road is a close 4th place.  Thank you MMJ for this album of excellent, creative tunes. 

[CC]

https://soundcloud.com/soundcloud-stories/sets/voice-notes-my-morning-jacket

[Lucius]

Been writing down random thoughts about the songs since release day, overall I really dig this album and there really isn't a song that I flat out don't like.

Out In The Open - Really excited to hear how this sounds live. I've seen people online speculating if there are 'religious' undertones to the lyrics, but as a recovering opioid enthusiast the words are hitting me from that direction much more. But I'm not religious at all - so I'm never going to see Jesus in a slice of toast. I've also seen comparisons to Coldplay musically, and I kinda hear it, but think it sounds much more like another British band called James. Their last couple of albums are very similar in tone to this song (go listen to Beautiful Beaches by them to see what I mean)

Half a Lifetime - My least favourite so far. I don't hate it by any means, but I don't think it fits the album. If you play Out In The Open > Everyday Magic together the energy flow is natural, smooth etc. This song feels like it belongs somewhere else and I find the transitions between the first 3 songs jarring. As a standalone single or soundtrack release it would have worked better. I also have a feeling this song might finally click for me live. I like the guitar work towards the end.

Everyday Magic - Tied with Out In The Open & Die For It as my top tracks from this record. I love this funky little disco dad rock number. The middle 8 is one of the best examples of them capturing their live essence on tape IMO. It has a touch of that Berkeley '23 Dondante disco jam energy. As I said before - something funky that I could dance to at a show was on my wish list for this record! Our boyz delivered!

I Can Hear Your Love - Still not totally sold on this one. Has a strong Blondie vibe to it, which as a huuuuge Blondie fan I can't complain about. I'm hearing Slow Slow Tune less and less with every listen and appreciating it as its own song, but damn, the overall vibe just can't compete with "Daddies playing just for you". Jim was definitely hornier in 2010/2011. This is more a slushy love-hearts, teddy bears & kittens vibe. The former is more my jam    

Time Waited - This song is beautiful. Works so much better in context with the rest of the album!

Beginning From The Ending - This one gets stuck in my head a lot in day to day life. I was singing it throughout most of a dog walk yesterday I'm expecting a similar live vibe to State Of The Art with the whole band just going off for a few minutes.

Lemme Know - Not one of my favourites. It's not bad, but it's sitting near the bottom with Half A Lifetime and I Can Hear Your Love. This is another song that to me has a very strong British indie rock vibe to it. This one sounds like it could be a Kaiser Chiefs song. I can actually imagine Ricky Wilson singing this (side-note: there's been some talk of this band "falling off" quality wise in recent years. I disagree, but if you want an example of a band that really has fallen off - check out the last couple of KC albums. Steamers!)

Squid Ink - Not always a huge fan of this kind of dick swinging due-bro rock style, but I don't hate this song. The guitar riff gets a little repetitive and grating but I like where the song ends up so sometimes it's worth it. How much I enjoy this song really depends on my mood, and I have skipped it a few times. But I also really enjoyed blasting it out recently while I was painting my bedroom! This one also reminds me of a British indie band - this one I think has touches of Arctic Monkeys. Has that kind of ballsy R U Mine? energy.

Die For It - Absolutely love this song. Big fan of psychedelic 70s sounding stuff. Definitely wouldn't say no to more of this vibe from Jacket. Suits Jims voice so well!!! The ending makes me feel like I'm levitating. It's beautifully produced. I was really nervous about B.O.B producing because his resume does nothing for me, but I really can't fault him producing this record. I think he's been great for MMJ and throughout this album, even on the lows, they sound rejuvenated. I'm in a minority of fans - but I didn't hate the last album. I can still admit that they sound much less uptight and breezy on IS, though!

River Road - Another one that's still growing on me, and my reaction to it changes with my mood the same as Squid Ink. Sometimes when I listen to it I want it to do more, musically speaking. Other times I'm happy grooving with it in all its glory. They definitely made the right decision swapping out Aren't We One for this song.