15/07/08 - London Forum - Setlist

[SMc55]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d36a0ed4-54e7-11dd-ae9c-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

A poor review by a critic who thinks he knows more about music than he actually does, imho.  :-?

Tosser

[SMc55]

http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2291817,00.html

Who is this guy called Jim Jones, please  :o

Sloppy work

[Sparkle]

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d36a0ed4-54e7-11dd-ae9c-000077b07658.html?nclick_check=1

A poor review by a critic who thinks he knows more about music than he actually does, imho.  :-?

Some people just don't have a clue... sad :-[

[Shakeykneez]

http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2291817,00.html

Who is this guy called Jim Jones, please  :o

Letter to the Editor:

Aaahhh the beauty of the interweb.  The first two reviews, earlier in this thread, sound like fashion show critiques.  I understand the element of stage presence, but I think if all you are going to write about is a band's physical appearance than I'm going to wager that you may have been erroneously assigned as a journalist, stick to the runway.  To be honest I went to see MMJ live for the first time, years ago when they actually did have long hair, and when I saw them I thought I was about to see a set from Megadeath.  I did not let there physical appearance influence the sweet and amazing sounds that I heard that night and ever since I have thouroughly enjoyed their music.  So if some journalist wants to spout off at the mouth about a guy's beard or the way some one dresses I say screw 'em.  At least we won't have to worry about some wanker standing next to us at our next MMJ show ruining our evening or asking us why "Jim Jones" wears Skeletor boots and a cape.   "I don't know maybe he's a superhero!"

[Sparkle]

"I don't know maybe he's a superhero!"


Definitely  ;D

[masterplanjohn]

Hi guys, just back from the Forum!

Well not really  ;D away for a few days straight after the gig.

Interested to catch up with others' thoughts.  


Intrigued to notice that no one else has mentioned the sound quality. it seems most posters were in the mosh pit. We were unstairs and the sound was shite. Very muffled, yet too loud, with too much bass. It was so incoherent that it was hard to hear Jim's vocals clearly and Carl's guitars were way back in the mix.

Reports about the theatre's acoustics before the gig were very positive. I'm gutted as a result because the guys performed superbly.  :(

Being a boring old fart, I'm going to have another moan.  >:(  

This is the first gig I've been to where the guys are now revered by the nutter element.

Up till now (seen them 6/7 times in UK) they have been an up and coming, under the radar sort of band. Lots of loyal and (dare I say) discerning music fans have been their hardcore audience. But last Tuesday Jim couldn't open his mouth without some nutter being convinced that he was witnessing the 2nd Coming. Bermuda Highway was destoyed by 4 drunken yanks standing on their seats next to me and yelping through the whole bloody song and, in the process, I was thankful that only half the contents of one guy's pint of lager landed in my lap. Do't get me wrong, the audience reaction is what gives a gig its atmosphere, but this was too much. The tragic and emotional lyrics of Dondante, so beautifully delivered by Jim, and Carl's plaintive and climatic alto sax ending, were completely lost under a tsunami of untimely, inappropriate, drunken screeching.

Z and Evil Urges seem to have delivered upon  MMJ a new set of fans for whom fanaticism knows no constraints. It can only get worse imho.  :'(

Sorry to quote your entire massive, disgruntled post, but here is my response. First of all, why would you buy upstairs tickets to a MMJ show? The sound quality was fantastic on the floor. I could hear everything perfectly - especially Jim's highs and that amazing sax ending on Dondante. But I too read good reviews on the acoustics at the Forum, so I would assume that should carry quality to not just the front row but upstairs as well. Like you mentioned, it sucks terribly because it was simply poor acoustics and not the boys.

As for drunken yanks, there were those as well as drunken brits. I am a yank, however I was not intoxicated at all and right on the rail in front of Jimbo. I apologise that you were unlucky enough to get next to some idiots, but I feel that on the whole - the crowd at a MMJ concert remains far, far superior to those at other rock concerts.

They may be picking up in noteriety, but EU and Z are still attracting the same types of listeners: good effing people. Obviously you have seen them quite a few times in the UK (I had no idea people actually listened to them over here) - so dare I say that one show in London shouldn't ruin your impression of new MMJ fans. I brought a MMJ virgin with me and now there is one more fan to join our ranks - of the discerning, not heavily intoxicated kind.Thats all I really have to say on the topic.

[loper]

I guess I do sound a bit prissy  :-[

My better half isn't the tallest and can get claustraphobic in a mosh pit situation so thats why we where upstairs. Interesting that the sound was good downstairs.

I'm sorry if you felt my rant was anti American, that was not the intention. It was simply anti those four Americans' behaviour. My reference to 'new' fans was regarding the above guys lack of knowledge of MMJ's canon and their evening long screaming for Highly Suspicious, probably Jim's most controversial creation amongst boring old fart fans like me. It didn't seem quite so naff live though, I have to say!   :o  especially with Everest joining in.

Glad you enjoyed the gig in dear old Blighty and I can assure you that MMJ have massive respect this side of the pond.  ;D

[masterplanjohn]

Ah well I suppose I came back as a bit over defensive as well. I totally agree on the Highly Suspicious front. I hated the song before I saw them play it live, but I really felt its vibe once they did. I understand your point about the fans as well.. a couple hammered idiots can ruin it for anyone. Looking forward to catching them in Kansas City and Council Bluffs later this summer :)

[liveon35mm]

Hi Guys,

just joined the forum to give you a set of mymorning jacket pics live from the press pit.

check liveon35mm.com I know some of you will disagree on the review, so come comment is free!

ciao
Vale

[Jcd_Lowe]

http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2291817,00.html

Who is this guy called Jim Jones, please  :o

Sloppy work

The opener wasn't Off the Record either - very sloppy.  3/5....it was one of the best gigs i've ever been to - I would've expected 4/5 at the least.

[loper]

Ah well I suppose I came back as a bit over defensive as well. I totally agree on the Highly Suspicious front. I hated the song before I saw them play it live, but I really felt its vibe once they did. I understand your point about the fans as well.. a couple hammered idiots can ruin it for anyone. Looking forward to catching them in Kansas City and Council Bluffs later this summer :)

Just to sum up those guys' behaviour, they all, en masse, went to the bar during 'The Way That He Sings".  >:(

Envious of you seeing MMJ again so soon. It's my ambition to see them as close as I can to Shelbyville, Kentucky.

One day!!!   ;)