MONSTERS OF FOLK!!

[el_chode]

I never got into Oberst's stuff but I appreciate what he does. I initially got soured by what to me seemed like a borderline emo-trying-to-escape-emodom plus his legions of emo-esqe fans.

In all honesty though, I didn't really even key in on the vocals so much as the musical production. Jim's voice sounded stellar, but I'm biased. I think the balance worked between his style of musicianship and everyone elses and it came together quite well.

Definitely lives up to the hype in my book, and here in NYC-area it's been hyped quite a bit on WRXP

WRXP is the only station I can tolerate. I hope Pinfield gets the guys in the studio for an interview.

It's the only station left. And it's still not awesome in my book, only the least of many evils. Still, I can't hate on them for having the balls to take on traditional terrad

[Shepardspy]

I never got into Oberst's stuff but I appreciate what he does. I initially got soured by what to me seemed like a borderline emo-trying-to-escape-emodom plus his legions of emo-esqe fans.

In all honesty though, I didn't really even key in on the vocals so much as the musical production. Jim's voice sounded stellar, but I'm biased. I think the balance worked between his style of musicianship and everyone elses and it came together quite well.

Definitely lives up to the hype in my book, and here in NYC-area it's been hyped quite a bit on WRXP

WRXP is the only station I can tolerate. I hope Pinfield gets the guys in the studio for an interview.

It's the only station left. And it's still not awesome in my book, only the least of many evils. Still, I can't hate on them for having the balls to take on traditional terrad

Werd.  They can have a great selection one hour and the next fill it with crap.  There's this DJ on Saturday nights with a show called "Anything, Anything".  If you haven't checked it out yet I recommend it.

[Penny Lane]

I never got into Oberst's stuff but I appreciate what he does. I initially got soured by what to me seemed like a borderline emo-trying-to-escape-emodom plus his legions of emo-esqe fans.

In all honesty though, I didn't really even key in on the vocals so much as the musical production. Jim's voice sounded stellar, but I'm biased. I think the balance worked between his style of musicianship and everyone elses and it came together quite well.

Definitely lives up to the hype in my book, and here in NYC-area it's been hyped quite a bit on WRXP

WRXP is the only station I can tolerate. I hope Pinfield gets the guys in the studio for an interview.

It's the only station left. And it's still not awesome in my book, only the least of many evils. Still, I can't hate on them for having the balls to take on traditional terrad

Werd.  They can have a great selection one hour and the next fill it with crap.  There's this DJ on Saturday nights with a show called "Anything, Anything".  If you haven't checked it out yet I recommend it.

i love the station, too, but they used to mix it up more. i hope matt and leslie get them in, too.

if you can get past conor's fans and the pretend angst, he's a great songwriter. i also like it how Jim describes M Ward's songs in that interview---like musical xanex (zanex) or something. they are all lullabies. (mean it in the best way)

[el_chode]

I think RXP had to compensate for the (final?) loss of KROCK. I still have my Sirius but my fiancee listens to RXP all the time, which is how she heard about the band. Is there an official first radio single?

[Ghosts_on_TV]

I never got into Oberst's stuff but I appreciate what he does. I initially got soured by what to me seemed like a borderline emo-trying-to-escape-emodom plus his legions of emo-esqe fans.

In all honesty though, I didn't really even key in on the vocals so much as the musical production. Jim's voice sounded stellar, but I'm biased. I think the balance worked between his style of musicianship and everyone elses and it came together quite well.

Definitely lives up to the hype in my book, and here in NYC-area it's been hyped quite a bit on WRXP

WRXP is the only station I can tolerate. I hope Pinfield gets the guys in the studio for an interview.

It's the only station left. And it's still not awesome in my book, only the least of many evils. Still, I can't hate on them for having the balls to take on traditional terrad

Werd.  They can have a great selection one hour and the next fill it with crap.  There's this DJ on Saturday nights with a show called "Anything, Anything".  If you haven't checked it out yet I recommend it.

i love the station, too, but they used to mix it up more. i hope matt and leslie get them in, too.

if you can get past conor's fans and the pretend angst, he's a great songwriter. i also like it how Jim describes M Ward's songs in that interview---like musical xanex (zanex) or something. they are all lullabies. (mean it in the best way)

I don't think I'd call conors "angst" pretend.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

the reason conor oberst sucks is because he's a little bitch.  not to be harsh, he is definitely, without a doubt the weakest aspect of Monsters of Folk.  His songs are decent but if he wasn't a part of this it probably would have been better.

[johnnYYac]

Sorry.  The extra Boston MoF ticket is going to my mom, who turns 65 on the day of the show!  See ya' in Beantown!

[Ghosts_on_TV]

Considering that conors songs are some of the strongest on the album, I doubt it.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

Considering that conors songs are some of the strongest on the album, I doubt it.

completely disagree but that's just personal taste.  I think M Ward really shines on this album.  It feels like conors songs are crammed down your throat and you are forced to deal with it.  when Conor is doing back up vocals or trading verses it isn't a big deal.  overall though he is definitely the weakest link.

[the sun and moon]

the album is amazing. I'm really loving magic marker, losin yo head, the right place and his masters voice. those are my favs of the record. it was more than what i was expecting.

[buymycar]

I'm losin' my head over Losin' Yo Head!  This album is way better than I thought it was going to be and now I'm going to have to find a way to make it to the show.

[Ghosts_on_TV]

Considering that conors songs are some of the strongest on the album, I doubt it.

completely disagree but that's just personal taste.  I think M Ward really shines on this album.  It feels like conors songs are crammed down your throat and you are forced to deal with it.  when Conor is doing back up vocals or trading verses it isn't a big deal.  overall though he is definitely the weakest link.

M. Ward does shine, I agree. They all do. What a fucking album.

[Penny Lane]

So is Jim the Sandman or the Brakeman? It's so pretty.  :)

[BH]

So is Jim the Sandman or the Brakeman? It's so pretty.  :)

I've been wondering the same thing. I can't believe nobody has asked them in all of those interviews.

[AMightyCaporal]

So is Jim the Sandman or the Brakeman? It's so pretty.  :)

I've been wondering the same thing. I can't believe nobody has asked them in all of those interviews.

I set my computer to play His Master's Voice to wake me up this morning- that song is so dreamy and beautiful- Jim is definitely the Sandman

[capt. scotty]

Considering that conors songs are some of the strongest on the album, I doubt it.

completely disagree but that's just personal taste.  I think M Ward really shines on this album.  It feels like conors songs are crammed down your throat and you are forced to deal with it.  when Conor is doing back up vocals or trading verses it isn't a big deal.  overall though he is definitely the weakest link.

is there such a thing as a weak link in a supergroup?

[Ruckus]

Oops, I realized that this is where this belongs.

Ahead of the Curve, Temazcal, Man Named Truth and Sandman (still) are the highlights of this album for me.  (Brakeman was my favorite tune off of Cassadega so this is fitting)

Besides the beats and harp, Dear God is unlistenable to me.  I liked it the 1st time when I heard then realized (again) Jim's faux soul, 70's R&B voice just comes across contrived and vanilla IMHO.

Goodway and Baby Boomers are nice little ditties that would be fun to hear live.  Goodway in someways reminds of Magic Trick in it's length, pace and style.

His Master's Voice is a beautiful tune until the obnoxious close.  Dare I say it?  Yes it reminds me of Fleet Foxes  ;)
On first listen, I found Right Place to be too cheesy until I realized I missed Jim hitting at least one high note with a tiny little 'verb on it.

Slo Down Jo' just didn't seem to jive with the rest of the album for me.  Now if I was blazed up with headphones on underwater staring at tropical fish under a giant coral reef, I'd love this song.

Losin' Yo Head  is just a fun tune.  Part of me is bummed that this is the best rocker in the entire album because on any other album, that would be disappointing.  Then I reminded myself this was the MOF and I was cool  :)
Whole Lotta Losin' - Good road tune.

Magic Marker - On the fence.  TBD

As I mentioned above (yeah, mostly Conor stuff) is what hit me the most.  Temazcal, Man Name Truth, Ahead of the Curve and Sandman are all great tunes for me.

So those are my initial impressions.

See where more listens takes me.

[el_chode]

My initial impressions are this:

Jim is the singer on "his" tracks, where as everyone else come across as "vocalists"

I don't find Oberst to be in my face at all

Some of these songs at first blow are so sparse and empty, and then you really listen, and you see there's a beautiful quantum world full of delicate intricacies going on underneath

Dear God It actually comes across as a B-Side of Evil Urges for me, which places it on par with my view of that album
Say Please: HOLD OUT YA HANNNNND I can't get it out of my head
Whole Lotta Lovin: I love the tremolo and the tenor tones going on the background plus the general boogie atmosphere makes me want to drink beers while BEING A PASSENGER in a car (Since driving is bad)
Temazcal: This is one of those sparse songs with this beautiful underlying complexity that isn't evident at first. When it comes on at first, I'm inclined to skip, but I tell myself to just turn it up and relax. This is really because I'm all itching to go after the track before it
The Right Place: I love Jim's vocal range on this and the phrasing he uses. Aside from that, it's a standard track. But I listen to his voice like I do the guitars on OBH
Baby Boomer: A good showcase of the collaborative nature of the album
Man Named Truth: Putting the "Folk" in Monsters of Folk
Goodway: My "meh" track, except I thought it was Baby Boomers b/c of the line about taking people for a ride
Ahead of the Curve: Just a really cool song. I don't know how else to put it. Again with the layers...listen closely and you hear a gentle electric arpeggio going on
Slow Down Jo: Maybe because it's my name, but when I'm driving this is a good antidote to being in a rush. And again...full of beautiful, subtle layers
Losin Yo Head: Speaks for itself
Magic Marker: I like it more as it goes on
Map of the World: I like how it builds. It's got this intensity to it without being too angsty
Sandman: This is a great rainy day song. And I like rainy days
His Masters Voice: I like the build, and I'm not bothered by the weirdness at the end.

Overall, I don't find any of the tracks to be skippable, and I can't wait for a physical copy for some real hi-fi experiences.

[BH]

a beautiful quantum world full of delicate intricacies going on underneath

beautiful underlying complexity that isn't evident at first.  

....full of beautiful, subtle layers

I like how it builds. It's got this intensity to it

I can't wait for a physical copy for some real hi-fi experiences.

YES YES AND YES YES YES!

The weird ending reminds of a Beatles type finish.   A good way to close an all time great record IMO.  :)

[xmascriminal]

Has anybody really payed attention to the lyrics to His Master's Voice?They're beautiful. Some of Jim's best in my opinion. I might get a word or two wrong, but this is bascially it.

The holy rolling dice with Christ at twilight
And they hear their Master's voice
They run to do their chores
At Master's calling

Their job to light
Rewrite the bible
For a whole new generation
Of non-believers

The pastor screams out to the crowd
There's even that must be put down
And it touches the soldier boy
He heeds his Master's voice
His life is calling

"Sweet solider boy"
The speaker's pleading
He hears his Master's voice
Do you hear your Master's voice
Calling like the lady siren's call?

Sweet solider quiet
Just starin' at the scenery
And he hears his Master's voice
He hears the call to war
The sirens singing

Out on the line
There's something strikes his side
He sees his inner child
He hears his mother's voice
Softly calling

Spirit soldier's mother, heavens
She holds up a paper cup
And the sound of life and love
Fills her ears

You're only gonna hear what you wanna hear
Do you hear your Master's voice now?

The holy Christs speak twice as nice
But the one that I like best
He sings inside my chest
I hear my master calling