From the album review thread:
Quote from: johnnYYac on May 04, 2015, 12:28 PM
Sessions for "The Waterfall" resulted in plenty of (probably weird) dance music, but James felt it was better served on its own album. He wondered if first putting out a more rock-oriented collection might not appeal to old-school fans, while a second album would be a bonus round for the more adventurous.
"It may be a pointless experiment, but I was curious to see what would happen," he said. "I thought it would be cool to have one that didn't have any dance- or soul-based stuff on it, and then follow it up with one that was completely dance- and soul-based."
Now, they have said that they are 80% finished with the second album, so they can always modify things. But I find this very interesting and also kind of exciting. Even if dance or soul isnt your thing, the waterfall tracks will still be pretty fresh by the time the next one drops and we will have setlists that are probably half stinson beach songs. If the two albums are as complementary as the waterfall is cohesive then i think this could make for quite the live experience.
Hmm... I like their soul based music (and I think the Waterfall has quite a bit of soul in it), but I'm also longing for a song or two that are guitar centered like lay low or OBH etc. I don't think this album quite had a song like that, and I wouldn't describe The Waterfall as rock centric necessarily.
But Jim does soul right, so this could be interesting.
Quote from: EverythingChanges on May 05, 2015, 09:47 AM
Hmm... I like their soul based music (and I think the Waterfall has quite a bit of soul in it), but I'm also longing for a song or two that are guitar centered like lay low or OBH etc. I don't think this album quite had a song like that, and I wouldn't describe The Waterfall as rock centric necessarily.
Same here !!!!!!!!!! Was hoping the next album would be more rock again
Meh.
I mean, I'd obviously check it out cause I'm MMJ obsessed...BUT...I was sort of hoping for some rock and alt country folk from the boys on this 2nd part. Guess it's just not a direction Jim wants to go in anymore. I really love The Waterfall but sometimes feel Carl isn't utilized like he once was. I dunno...maybe I'm off on that.
"Dance" music doesn't move the needle for me. However, new jacket music is better than no jacket music.
Quote from: EverythingChanges on May 05, 2015, 09:47 AM
Hmm... I like their soul based music (and I think the Waterfall has quite a bit of soul in it), but I'm also longing for a song or two that are guitar centered like lay low or OBH etc. I don't think this album quite had a song like that, and I wouldn't describe The Waterfall as rock centric necessarily.
But Jim does soul right, so this could be interesting.
I'd definitely love some live staples like lay low or OBH but I would say this album does seem more guitar heavy than the previous two. What I need more of is Carl's slide guitar/pedal steel, I believe he brings it out on one of the tracks (forget which atm, Get the point?) but nothing like slow, slow tune or smokin' from shootin'
All I know is this: after hearing The Waterfall I have complete faith that whatever else they made in Stinson Beach will also be amazing.
Quote from: Stevie on May 06, 2015, 04:12 PM
All I know is this: after hearing The Waterfall I have complete faith that whatever else they made in Stinson Beach will also be amazing.
True.
As long as it isn't a dance record. :drum:
The idea is really interesting, especially since I figured Regions was Jim's way of exorcising his least rock/MMJ instincts. Z was my entry point to the band and I've always really liked Evil Urges, which are probably the two biggest outliers in their discography.
I don't think I'm capable of disliking anything they do, but I have to admit that another Z/EU is less appealing than, say, another ISM...
Maybe the next next one will be their big return to the alt-country/southern sound.
I will give anything these guys do a chance, but I really hope this isn't true. I was not a fan of regions of light at all, and hope we get another solid rock record.
Personally, I think they could pull off a great country record.
if its dancey like touch me part 2 then i cant wait!! :grin: :grin: :grin:
Remember in 2014, I think it was a picture posted on twitter of some saxophones in the studio. I don't hear any sax on the waterfall, so maybe that's on the 2nd album...
Quote from: dub82 on May 07, 2015, 09:28 AM
I will give anything these guys do a chance, but I really hope this isn't true. I was not a fan of regions of light at all, and hope we get another solid rock record.
Personally, I think they could pull off a great country record.
i'm excited by the news... to me they've already made a great country record - I think At Dawn is a top notch country-styled record and It Still Moves is THE alt-country record.
I would expect a more Curtis Mayfield and Sly Stone approach based on Jim's recent interviews and I'm totally good with that!
I've read several reviews that have said The Waterfall is better than the last two albums because Jim basically toned down his wilder impulses and better meshed them with a more signature MMJ sound. I agree with this line of thought, and picture this "dance" album to be all of Jim's shittiest wild impulses crapped onto a single shitty album. I hope I'm wrong. I really like The Waterfall so far, but it's about as far as I want them to go toward soul. The thought that they now consider this to be a "rock" record scares me a bit.
MMJ soul and dance stuff is very good I think.. touch me part 2 and more experimental stuff like touch me part 1 and highly suspicious really do it for me so this is great news to me... The more adventurous they are the better in my book.
Quote from: soundgarden1981 on May 07, 2015, 10:14 AM
if its dancey like touch me part 2 then i cant wait!! :grin: :grin: :grin:
THIS^^^^
...And I think Soul/Dance is just another way of saying "funky"... they do really well with funky covers - a la "Move on Up" and "All Night Long." Nothing to worry about here guys. They'll crush it.
I would categorize The Waterfall as very much an experimental album - There were elements of it that I was expecting Regions of Light... to sound like prior to hearing it (ROLSOG). If there is another album on it's way, I'd welcome some of the more familiar MMJ.
In my books new sounds and experiments win against retreading old ground every single god damn day of the week! I have total faith in the band to deliver something amazing.
been listening to Curtis Mayfield ever since 2012 Red Rocks and since reading that Jim is a big fan...i'm all for the soul and dance....word.
Didn´t Jim said recently he wants to do another live album again ? Would love to have a new live DVD and Vinyl from my favorite band :cheesy: Could live with a dance and soul album if it comes with a rockin´live album shortly after
Quote from: marino13 on May 07, 2015, 11:46 AM
I've read several reviews that have said The Waterfall is better than the last two albums because Jim basically toned down his wilder impulses and better meshed them with a more signature MMJ sound. I agree with this line of thought, and picture this "dance" album to be all of Jim's shittiest wild impulses crapped onto a single shitty album. I hope I'm wrong. I really like The Waterfall so far, but it's about as far as I want them to go toward soul. The thought that they now consider this to be a "rock" record scares me a bit.
I agree with this too. There's a similarity between Jim's solo album and this album that has an element I don't like. It's like a strong ingredient like cilantro, that is too much for me to take in Jim's album but is held in check on the waterfall. It's still noticable but not enough to distract.
I think Jim would dig the cilantro symbolism. :beer:
Quote from: jimsflyingv on May 08, 2015, 12:09 PM
Didn´t Jim said recently he wants to do another live album again ? Would love to have a new live DVD and Vinyl from my favorite band :cheesy: Could live with a dance and soul album if it comes with a rockin´live album shortly after
FUUUUUUUCK YEAH! !!!
I don't think Jim wants to do another of anything, they are an evolving band which is what makes them so unique...honestly I don't think there's one album that doesn't make sense in the way they've evolved, except probably Circuital
that being said, I don't think "dance album" is being received as it was meant
The next album will be the best yet. Don't get all worked up over speculation and over analyzing. I dance my ass off at every single show, so bring on the dance music. Rock some sound and sing to my soul.
So, be on the lookout for some new tunes from the upcoming album to show up during this year's tour, perhaps. This could be interesting, and exciting!
Quote from: johnnYYac on May 09, 2015, 01:39 PM
So, be on the lookout for some new tunes from the upcoming album to show up during this year's tour, perhaps. This could be interesting, and exciting!
Could be John. If I remember right Circuital showed up live well before the album. Wonderful also I believe.
Circuital was played at the YUM! on 10/29/10...album wasn't released until May '11.
Quote from: cride3332 on May 09, 2015, 01:57 PM
Circuital was played at the YUM! on 10/29/10...album wasn't released until May '11.
It was played before that too. I know we got it at the Essex Jct. Vt. show, that summer, and the Philly Riverstage show too. :beer:
Quote from: grizzy on May 05, 2015, 05:18 PM
Meh.
I mean, I'd obviously check it out cause I'm MMJ obsessed...BUT...I was sort of hoping for some rock and alt country folk from the boys on this 2nd part. Guess it's just not a direction Jim wants to go in anymore. I really love The Waterfall but sometimes feel Carl isn't utilized like he once was. I dunno...maybe I'm off on that.
"Dance" music doesn't move the needle for me. However, new jacket music is better than no jacket music.
i'm in this camp as well. the last few years i've had to rely on j roddy and the biz for my rock/alt country fix.
Thank you Cameron. :thumbsup: Suprisingly I had never heard of j roddy and the biz until reading your comment. Love em.
Quote from: jahabe08 on May 10, 2015, 11:31 PM
Thank you Cameron. :thumbsup: Suprisingly I had never heard of j roddy and the biz until reading your comment. Love em.
Nice. Glad I could help. When people ask me what they're like I always say 2003 MMJ.
Could you suggest an album? The first two songs i checked out on youtube were from Essential Tremors and i haven't really given it a fair shake yet but when you say 2003 MMJ i don't think of something nearly that bouncy and upbeat. Again, i'm not trying to say it's bad i just got super intrigued at the thought of 2003 MMJ type of stuff :wink:
Quote from: marino13 on May 07, 2015, 11:46 AM
I've read several reviews that have said The Waterfall is better than the last two albums because Jim basically toned down his wilder impulses and better meshed them with a more signature MMJ sound. I agree with this line of thought, and picture this "dance" album to be all of Jim's shittiest wild impulses crapped onto a single shitty album. I hope I'm wrong. I really like The Waterfall so far, but it's about as far as I want them to go toward soul. The thought that they now consider this to be a "rock" record scares me a bit.
Yeah, I'm shocked anyone would consider The Waterfall a "rock" album or guitar-oriented. There is not one rock song on it, just a few brief spots within some songs that I would call rock. I do hear a bunch of what is kind of quasi- 70s soul (falsetto vocals, smooth melodies, lush keyboards, static drum beats) or maybe soft rock ala 70s AM radio but there are no songs that are based primarily on aggressive guitar riffs (like Lay Low, Anytime, etc).
If Jim is calling this the rock record, I too am worried about what the next one is gonna sound like.
I still have hope that some of these songs will become more powerful live, but at this point in my appreciation for The Waterfall, I'm not expecting too much.
Quote from: Stevie on May 11, 2015, 12:46 PM
Could you suggest an album? The first two songs i checked out on youtube were from Essential Tremors and i haven't really given it a fair shake yet but when you say 2003 MMJ i don't think of something nearly that bouncy and upbeat. Again, i'm not trying to say it's bad i just got super intrigued at the thought of 2003 MMJ type of stuff :wink:
Their second album is the one be that got me really into them. It's self titled. I like the newest one a lot too. You have to see them live to really get the comparison though but tracks like "brave man's death" and "pig & pearls" always reminded me of seeing MMJ back then.
Quote from: Shug on May 11, 2015, 02:46 PM
Yeah, I'm shocked anyone would consider The Waterfall a "rock" album or guitar-oriented....
If Jim is calling this the rock record, I too am worried about what the next one is gonna sound like.
Absolutely especially since MMJ has written one of the best and catchiest guitar songs in a long time with One Big Holiday.
Seven Nation Army and OBH are for me the 2 guitar songs over the last 20 years that are truly unique. Always hoped for another MMJ song with a great riff and Jim and Carl ripping solos
Quote from: grizzy on May 05, 2015, 05:18 PMI really love The Waterfall but sometimes feel Carl isn't utilized like he once was. I dunno...maybe I'm off on that.
I was thinking this too after watching the KCRW cast. Carl seemed under-utilized. I really dig Jim's wild, dirty guitar attack but was also missing Carl's lead sounds.