Hi all, this question has come up numerous times among my close friends and I thought I'd share my thoughts and get yours:
"Where the hell did Z come from and where are they going from here?"
In my mind, "Run Thru" was the track on It Still Moves that stood out as being really different. I think it was just a little taste of where they were going with Z. Likewise, I feel "Into the Woods" stands out on Z in much the same way, so perhaps the entirety of the next album will be dark and evil-circusy. <---Not a real word, but I think you get where I'm going. A lot of people seem turned off by "Into the Woods" for the same reasons that I love it.
Anyway, that's all I've got. Just thought I'd put it out there and see what you thought.
-Ian
Hmmm...I actually think that the new album will be a lot like Wordless Chorus: minimal guitar, prominent keyboards, and driving basslines. Jim has made several references that he's always wanted to make a more stripped-down album, and I get a feeling that this one will be it. Prehaps we may see horn sections, reggae grooves, and more backup vocals to fill in the void left by the guitars; however, he could leave it empty, resulting in a more R&B-type record like he's always wanted to do. I get a feeling that many of us are hoping for a guitar-based record, but I doubt we'll get it.
On the flip side, this album could be like Wilco's A Ghost Is Born: Open, spacey, freeform, and very much like "Into the Woods." I'd love to see them do a record like that in the near future. But personally, judging from interviews and what I've heard of the new stuff, I think a stripped-down album is in order. ;)
I know it's difficult after only one listen, but I would love to get some input on this subject from those of you that have heard a few of the new songs. The Rud, etc.
Well, keep in mind that those songs could change tremendously once the band gets their hands on them. Seems like I read that Jim usually demos the songs on guitar and brings them to the band.
Think of it like listening to him play "Wordless Chorus" by himself on guitar (on some of the radio performances that he did) and then compare that to the full band version. It's a whole different animal. And I love it.
I wouldn't mind MMJ going in a stripped-down direction, but if they move more towards "Wordless Chorus", I'll be very disappointed. They are at their best and most powerful with vocals accompanied by guitar.
QuoteWell, keep in mind that those songs could change tremendously once the band gets their hands on them. Seems like I read that Jim usually demos the songs on guitar and brings them to the band.
Think of it like listening to him play "Wordless Chorus" by himself on guitar (on some of the radio performances that he did) and then compare that to the full band version. It's a whole different animal. And I love it.
Excellent point.
I have a hard time believing that I could be disappointed with anything that this band does, but I can see your point with the direction of Wordless Chorus.... The band is showing their ultimate strength with the vocals of Jim accompanied by the powerful guitar rifts...
but regardless of how I (we?) feel is the best way to go, I think this band is special and they can pretty much pull of whatever they want... they know what they're doing and will not disappoint...
Also keep in mind that Jim has referenced soul music a whole lot in the last couple of years. I wouldn't mind hearing something with some soul influence. I'm in the middle of watching a great documentary about Stax Records that was on PBS the other night. Good stuff.
I actually like MMJ/Jim's soul influenced 'flirtations' least of all their musical styles. It's a personal taste thing, but I just can't get enough of those guitars.
QuoteI actually like MMJ/Jim's soul influenced 'flirtations' least of all their musical styles. It's a personal taste thing, but I just can't get enough of those guitars.
I immediately think of the live performances and the many strong guitar rifts and solos... This is what I want when I see them live - they do it with an intensity that leaves me smiling and FREAKING OUT!!! sorry... got carried away.. but... GUITARS!
I don't mind MMJ going off in different directions on their next album, but if the album's focus centres around soul and r&b more than rock, I'll be really disappointed or even royally pissed-off.
QuoteI don't mind MMJ going off in different directions on their next album, but if the album's focus centres around soul and r&b more than rock, I'll be really disappointed or even royally pissed-off.
have you ever listened to the afghan whigs? they always had a very strong r&b and soul influence in their music, yet it was still walls of guitars and rock 'n fucking roll. i'm not trying to get off topic here, just saying that i think mmj could easily incorporate heavy influences from other genres and not have it overtake the awesome aura they've always brought to the table.
I'm hoping that they won't depart too much from the sound that got them to this point. Afghan Wigs never really did anything for me, but that's just me.
great points all.
as a guitar player, i'm constantly impressed by both JJ and Carl and don't want that to change. Even if the new album had minimal guitars, their current sound is so well suited to the vast majority of their catalog that I doubt the shows could change nearly as much as the next album has the potential to. But I look at Jim in (I believe) the same was as the band: I'm signed on to his master plan. I think they have complete confidence in his artistic abilities. I know I do. It was never a question of "will i like the new stuff," but "where is he gonna take us next?"
Wordless Chorus fucking rocks.
Second best song on Z. Ok, maybe 3rd.
I've got to tell ya, I've been thinking a lot about this question and I hace no fucking clue what the next album will sound like. As Corey mentioned, Jim has spoken about dance and soul music a LOT in interviews lately. but the new songs I heard at the Rud sounded more John Prine then James Brown. On the other hand, the new song I heard at soundcheck in telluride sounded more like the Who then John Prine and it was full band.
Z definitely took the band in a new direction. Someone I was talking to in CO said they thought Z was Carl's album and that this album would be Beau's. I kinda like that theory but I still think every albums is Jim's.
So, in other words, I have no idea. I trust the band's vision though and am pretty sure I will like whatever gets recorded.
QuoteAlso keep in mind that Jim has referenced soul music a whole lot in the last couple of years. I wouldn't mind hearing something with some soul influence. I'm in the middle of watching a great documentary about Stax Records that was on PBS the other night. Good stuff.
This makes me think of the treatment that "They Ran" received on the last tour.
This makes me think of the treatment that "They Ran" received on the last tour.[/quote]
what is this treatment you speak of?
i too have honestly no idea of what to expect. but i think we can rest assured that we will probably enjoy whatever kind of musical madness they are probably stirring up right now.
i wouldnt be the least bit surprised if they got into some dance/soul/disco themed stuff.
there are two things that could possibly happen that i would just die for.
-more song(s) with a little reggae vibe to'em. AND
-more of carl on sax. that part in dondante is just wonderful.
what if?, they "pulled out" some crazy guitar work, that nobody expected, that just melted your faces?
what if?, the drums are so right, you'd have to call your mother collect?
what if?, the keys are so out there, that you'd feel like you're in another planet?...what if??
i'd buy that!!
I just wish this next album would hurry up and get here no matter what direction they take I'm sure we will all enjoy ;)
Quote
This makes me think of the treatment that "They Ran" received on the last tour.
what is this treatment you speak of?
[/quote]
Listen this this next to the album version of they ran
http://www.archive.org/download/mmj2007-01-11.m1290.flac16/mmj2007-01-11d2t03_vbr.mp3
There's a lot of trust that Jim and company will do the right thing and deliver another great and diverse album. I hope this is true. However, no musician is or has been immune to putting out albums that are disappointments or downright stinkers. Not saying this will be the case here, but don't think it's not in Jim to put out something less than steller either. He is human afterall.
3 words.........Guitar....Guitar....Guitar.
hey hitchhiker, speaking of "They Ran," the only video clip I took at Langerado is the outro of that song. I love the "treatment" as you refer to it. It makes me think of a high school prom in the 50's. Like Michael J. Fox is about to show up to take over on guitar or something. I'm gonna post that video tomorrow. Honest.
Quotehey hitchhiker, speaking of "They Ran," the only video clip I took at Langerado is the outro of that song. I love the "treatment" as you refer to it. It makes me think of a high school prom in the 50's. Like Michael J. Fox is about to show up to take over on guitar or something. I'm gonna post that video tomorrow. Honest.
;D
It "closed" the show quite a few times on the last tour (before the encore) and I thought it was a perfect way to do so. I really hope they keep this tradition of bringing out an old tune that they don't ever do live, and mixing it up a bit. I love those little surprises.
I think about MMJ pretty much all of the time, but I haven't given too much thought to what their next album might sound like. I honestly think that anything they do will be nothing but genius and soulful. Jim could make a hip-hop album and it would somehow be beautiful.
i don't think anyone can predict how the next album will sound.
i've been thinking about this since January..and there are so many directions in which they can chooose to go!
I agree that there's a possibility of some soul influence, but what about jim playing a banjo??? The kidzapalooza performance was the first time I've seen him play it. I don't know if the new album will include some pickin', but I would certainly dig it.
Man, I hope he breaks out "If It Smashes Down" on the next tour.
He plays banjo on if it smashes down.
also, that thing he played at lolla was not a "traditional" banjo. it is a hybrid guitar/banjo with six strings like a guitar but sounds like a banjo. I'm not sure which he plays on if it smashes down.
just pointing those things out. i agree that banjo would be cool on the new album. How about soul banjo? if anyone could pull it off it would be Jim!
QuoteHe plays banjo on if it smashes down.
also, that thing he played at lolla was not a "traditional" banjo. it is a hybrid guitar/banjo with six strings like a guitar but sounds like a banjo. I'm not sure which he plays on if it smashes down.
just pointing those things out. i agree that banjo would be cool on the new album. How about soul banjo? even anyone could pull it off it would be Jim!
Wow, thanks for the info. I had no idea that a hybrid existed...pretty cool. "We're gonna have soul-banjo party tonight." ;D
Haha, "soul-banjo." I love it. I noticed he was playing regular guitar chords on the video of Rainbow Connection. Might try to tab it out today.
"Soul Banjo" shall be the name of my ska-country-industrial band.
I don't know if it's a prediction but I would love some Jim and Carl colaberations, musically and lyrics. I been listening to Lose Whats Left recently and I think Carl is a fuckin' awesome musician (we already knew that), composer, and lyricist (SIC?). Plus he's just an all around good guy and I would love to see his name on some song credits. I think they could work an even groovier magic than they already have. What do you guys think?
I agree with ItAllSticky: Not whether will "I" like the new album, but where will it take us next. Very astute.
QuoteI been listening to Lose Whats Left recently
I'm glad you reminded me about that. I forgot I downloaded that on my computer and never burned it to disc. Now I have a Carl solo album to look forward to!
this provides a brief insight to the songwriting influences of late...
http://www.mymorningjacket.com/cgi-local/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1188916918
Pulsating Beast!
[size=20]April 22nd, 2008[/size]
Quote[size=20]April 22nd, 2008[/size]
Red, you say that like you know something.....
QuoteRed, you say that like you know something.....
::)
Here is an interview from Lolla that I never saw anywhere else. Hopefully it's not a repeat. There is a little insight into the album at the end of the interview.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p5LzxInQfCg&mode=related&search=
aw, that's a great one! thanks!!
QuoteHere is an interview from Lolla that I never saw anywhere else. Hopefully it's not a repeat. There is a little insight into the album at the end of the interview.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p5LzxInQfCg&mode=related&search=
there you have it, "a record out by next summer"!!!
hhahaahh great interview. thanks! i thought he said "Beavis" ! :D
QuoteHere is an interview from Lolla that I never saw anywhere else. Hopefully it's not a repeat. There is a little insight into the album at the end of the interview.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p5LzxInQfCg&mode=related&search=
Oh wow......the short hair is great. Wish he'd trim the beard down to the same length.
QuoteMan, I hope he breaks out "If It Smashes Down" on the next tour.
I second that, especially if its on a guitar banjo hybrid. Who knew something so awesome could even exist? I'd love to hear more of that on the new record, but my best guess is also that we will hear more soul and by the way they played the shit out of "Move on Up" at Lolla, that's fine by me.
thier album, like all thier others, will fuse together all genre's of music.
Since "z" was influenced from Radiohead's OK Computer, i wonder what other influences or what direction their going to go to next. Can't wait to hear it.
I don't think I can wait till next summer. :'(
QuoteSince "z" was influenced from Radiohead's OK Computer, i wonder what other influences or what direction their going to go to next. Can't wait to hear it.
i don't really agree with that statement. I don't think OK Computer when i listen to Z. Jim's influences seem to come from everywhere.
QuoteQuoteSince "z" was influenced from Radiohead's OK Computer, i wonder what other influences or what direction their going to go to next. Can't wait to hear it.
i don't really agree with that statement. I don't think OK Computer when i listen to Z. Jim's influences seem to come from everywhere.
In an article from Rolling Stone they stated that the album was influenced from OK Computer. Thats all they listened to in their 2004 Summer tour.
It just completely blows my mind every time I try to think of what the next album may hold. Whatever it may be though, I'm sure we'll all be pleasantly surprised. ::)
what does Wonderful (the way i feel) sound like? someone describe it to us.
Do we know if they're going to be working with a producer on the new album?
Sorry if this has already been discussed, I looked around but couldn't find anything.
I figure that I could put this in the thread regarding this article...but it seems appropriate to post it here.....
"I've got about 22 songs," says James. "We'll get it down to 17 or 18. Once you do the real recordings, some of them work and some them don't. The toughest decision for us is whether to make a record that is full of variety. If you look at any of our other records, you've got your rockin' songs, your softer songs, your weird songs, whatever-you've got a mix. I like that, but part of me wants to make a really tight, eight-song fucked-up funk record, and then a really tight, nine-song, quiet record. I've always liked records like Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, where you just know you're getting 40 minutes of peace. Or if you're ready to go crazy, you put on fuckin' Paul's Boutique or something. So that's the notion we're toying with."
Magnet No. 77 Fall 2007
Great find Wizzard! Very intriguing.
I'd hardly call Nebraska "40 minutes of peace". Definitely one of the bleakest albums in my collection. I'm probably misunderstanding Jim's quote though.
QuoteI figure that I could put this in the thread regarding this article...but it seems appropriate to post it here.....
"I've got about 22 songs," says James. "We'll get it down to 17 or 18. Once you do the real recordings, some of them work and some them don't. The toughest decision for us is whether to make a record that is full of variety. If you look at any of our other records, you've got your rockin' songs, your softer songs, your weird songs, whatever-you've got a mix. I like that, but part of me wants to make a really tight, eight-song fucked-up funk record, and then a really tight, nine-song, quiet record. I've always liked records like Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, where you just know you're getting 40 minutes of peace. Or if you're ready to go crazy, you put on fuckin' Paul's Boutique or something. So that's the notion we're toying with."
Magnet No. 77 Fall 2007
I just finished reading that myself! What a great, long, and insightful (surprisingly) article!
Sounds like a double album. Outkast's Speakerboxx/The Love Below comes to mind....
hmm...this gives me cause for concern. no hate toward "funk," but i don't want MMJ to make a funk record. hopefully, jim was saying that in jest.
MMJ = rock!
Quotehmm...this gives me cause for concern. no hate toward "funk," but i don't want MMJ to make a funk record. hopefully, jim was saying that in jest.
MMJ = rock!
Really? Really.....Really?
I fucking can't wait to hear MMJ's brand of funk...makes me giddy all over ;)
QuoteQuotehmm...this gives me cause for concern. no hate toward "funk," but i don't want MMJ to make a funk record. hopefully, jim was saying that in jest.
MMJ = rock!
Really? Really.....Really?
I fucking can't wait to hear MMJ's brand of funk...makes me giddy all over ;)
if jim has the funk then i think he should let it out
Jim said the same thing about a Funk record before "Z" was released. It sounds like something he NEEDS to do. I'm hopeing he writes the most badd ass funk/rock record of all time and then follows it with an epic rock opera record. The two new songs I've hear would definatly be canidates for the acoustic (nebraska) style record. They were both beautiful.....but, how about an E.P. to tide us over. I'm all about another acoustic style E.P. AND a funk record.
QuoteQuotehmm...this gives me cause for concern. no hate toward "funk," but i don't want MMJ to make a funk record. hopefully, jim was saying that in jest.
MMJ = rock!
Really? Really.....Really?
I fucking can't wait to hear MMJ's brand of funk...makes me giddy all over ;)
yeah...really.
maybe our definitions of "funk" are different.
MMJ funk would be the shit!! You know that Jim has some funk! (see Bonnaroo Silent Disco photo).
All i gotta say is that if they were listening to OK Computer when they wrote Z...
i reeeeaaaaalllllllyyy hope they are listening to nothing but The Band, Derek & The Dominoes, and Curtis Mayfield for this album. True American In Your Face Shit!!! It's been a long time since an album like that came out. I'm ready for a new Born In The USA, and I think this band is the only band with the capabilities to make that album. (except maybe Toby Keith, but that's totally apples to my oranges.)
Jim's not joking: he is a soul brother. But he also has a roots record in him.
The best discussion of this I've seen is in the Magnet interview that I have a hard copy of. Apparently, they don't put their interviews online until after the next issue comes out.
Sorry if this has been over-posted and discussed elsewhere as I don't get in here to visit nearly often enough.
http://www.magnetmagazine.com/
QuoteQuoteQuotehmm...this gives me cause for concern. no hate toward "funk," but i don't want MMJ to make a funk record. hopefully, jim was saying that in jest.
MMJ = rock!
Really? Really.....Really?
I fucking can't wait to hear MMJ's brand of funk...makes me giddy all over ;)
yeah...really.
maybe our definitions of "funk" are different.
Well, being from Cincy, I got my funk on with the home town boys....Bootsie & George clinton....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7fdesO8CdC8
this shit is pretty damn funky too....
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Mi7UUJ6cwLQ
and well, I could go on forever, so this is my last example of, "Who said you could be so funky?"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hcyw9QJwfY0
and I have to admit, Cobra is some funky ass shit (it is the first song that hooked me on MMJ). Really.....the beautiful thing about FUNK, is that it is not just a genre, but an attitude.
Don't get me wrong, I love to rawk, but I really want to hear MMJ's
BRAND of funk....bring it on boyz!
i would definitely love to see the this generation's "Music From Big Pink" from MMJ
i think their brand of funk will sound more along the lines of The Band. they were funky as hell.
this is a good example of what MMJ funk will probably sound like:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tqctQAK2nm0
patrick's powerful drumming and two tone's driving basslines still make it sound like rock n roll