Z (If you want to be surprised, don't read)

[HorkoLad]

So I've listened to it 3 1/2 times now. Start to finish. I must say that I love how the band has totally changed their sound, without actually changing their sound. When you love a band, and wait for a new album, you always hope they progress, musically, instead of putting out the same rehash of their previous album(s). MMJ didn't do that by any means...and they still managed to be MMJ. I'm not dissapointed in the LEAST bit. This album has met all of my expectations and then some. There isn't one weak track on this entire album...and I would have no reserves saying it should be the album of the year. Kudos to MMJ for keeping their sound real, and managing to expound upon an already amazing first 3 albums. These guys are on their way to being the best band in the world. I can't wait for everyone to hear it!

Love,
HorkoLad

[dragonboy]

I couldn't agree with you more Horkolad! Like you said, there isn't a bad track on the CD.

I think a lot of hardcore TF & At Dawn fans might be a little disappointed at first, especially if they haven't heard Wordless & Off the Record.
Gone is the low-fi production & melancholy of old - this is a very polished CD with a very upbeat feel to it.
I know that ISM's was more polished than TF & AD but it still had it's lo-fi acoustic moments.

I am enjoying listening to Z SO much! Every time I hear it I find something new & my fav song changes every time! The band have really evolved with this one.
Still the best band on the planet bar none!!!

[dragonboy]

Those of you who have Z, which tracks are you really diggin'?
Right now for me it's It Beats 4 U.
Didn't care for it at first, even skipped it a few times I think.
The song begins with such passionate energy. Patrick's drumming has a real urgency to it.
Jim's voice is beautiful on this track.
When he sings "Who can count the time I'm beatin...with my hands?" he sounds so fragile & I LOVE the short guitar that follows.
I know it's been said before but man, can Andrew Bird Whistle!!!

[rob]

Wow...this sure is tighter than ISM.....not necessarily better, just tighter...almost too tight...pretty slick (not every track)...initial faves after 2 listens are Wordless......Beats.....Knot.....Lay Low. Needs more reverb and sadness... ;D...haha, j/k...they wanna sound different everytime, I know...better go listen again.  ;D

[HorkoLad]

I think Gideon is AMAZING.

Of the record is fucking awesome

Into the woods makes me feel "evil" for some reason

and It beats for you is simply marvelous

I could go on and on

[fitzcarraldo]

Yes, best band in the world, that's about right.   [smiley=elvis.gif]Hi Elvis!

[Clarkwork]

I haven't heard the album yet, just Wordless, Off the Record, and How would I know(not on record).  What I have found in those songs is that I have to listen to them a few times before I really start to like them.  Once I do, I can't get enough of them and play them all the time.  It may be the "new sound" that is causing this.  But I am really digging what I have heard so far and can't wait until I hear the rest.  

[Danko71]

I'm in the same boat. I honestly didn't like it much the first time I heard it, but it got better and better. Very unique quality to it, but you can tell it's the same band, mainly due to Jim's voice.
Into the Woods is the only one I don't entirely like, but I do like parts of it. And the Hawaii 5-0 riff is a little too obvious but it doesn't hurt the song too much. But the rest is pretty strong. I could nitpick further, but it's clear that they made the record they wanted to make.
I really dig Jim's guitar leads, especially Lay Low (I think).

[HorkoLad]

I'm in the same boat. I honestly didn't like it much the first time I heard it, but it got better and better. Very unique quality to it, but you can tell it's the same band, mainly due to Jim's voice.
Into the Woods is the only one I don't entirely like, but I do like parts of it. And the Hawaii 5-0 riff is a little too obvious but it doesn't hurt the song too much. But the rest is pretty strong. I could nitpick further, but it's clear that they made the record they wanted to make.
I really dig Jim's guitar leads, especially Lay Low (I think).

when i first heard "into the woods," i agree that it was probably my least favorite track on the album. The more and more i listen, the further that is away from the truth. That song is seriously AWESOME. I listened to it again last night with headphones on and i was blown away. definately the most underrated song on the album

[cmasters]

Just got a press copy down at the paper I work for... the artwork is really cool... it's most of the banners at the top of the screens.  Sounds the same to me... I'm sure it's tweaked somehow.  Yeah, I was really excited when I saw it sitting down there.  eeeeee! wait... I mean zzzzzz!

[Dee.]

I know it's been said before but man, can Andrew Bird Whistle!!!

No kidding.  That's him for sure then in the song?  The first time I heard it I thought it sounded Birdie.  :)

Today I was truly enjoying What a Wonderful Man.  That's a fun one while you're driving.

[ratsprayer]

isnt anyone absolutely blown away by 'lay low' ??

[Dee.]

Yes.  I love it all.  How great is Anytime, too??

[dragonboy]

I love the closing seconds of Wonderful Man!
For me this does a great job of representing where the band is right now.
It sounds like they're really having fun, right?

[ratsprayer]

Yes.  I love it all.  How great is Anytime, too??

personally 'anytime' is my least favourite on the album, by far.  i downloaded way back in july or whatever and have listened to the album close to 100 times, i know, and i still cant get in to this song much at all.  

[dragonboy]

I like Anytime.
Sorry Horkolad - I think Into the Woods is my least fav track but it's still early days.

[Dee.]

The EPK doesn't help?  When he's singing it and just going for it?  Awesomeness.  :)

[Imran Siddiquee]

yeah, i think anytime is one of the most amazing things on the record. the lyrics are really great, and combined with jims voice that last time he goes "boy you better learn to express yourself" just literally blows me away.

[rob]

Circuit City shows the running time for Dondante as over 10 minutes.......the version I have is 7 something.....does it go on longer or is there an extra hidden track on the official CD? I'll find out Tuesday, but just wondering now...... ???

[tomEisenbraun]

hmmmm.... interesting.

is Anytime the song in the peaky-zee at Z video on the front page.

the one where it goes

climbin up TO the moooon!
and then "up with it! up with it..."

thats all i can make out cuz the quality isnt amazing.

is that anytime? or Gideon?