regions of light and sound of god

[YimYodd]

Great posts, as usual, John. Many Thanks.
Anybody know anything more about JJs' tour schedule?
I know he will be in LA on Feb.8 & NYC on Feb. 21 but wondering when full tour to be announced.

[SaraBananaBear]

A danceable affair, I like it!  I hope, I so hope, he makes it to Europe at least for a little bit. Just one date would be fine, or maybe two... or three? 

[Fully]

Definitely a Swedish date, eh Sara?

[e_wind]

Wow great article.   I love when the writer really really GETS it.    It's evident all over this piece.    This line is fantastic:

a unique and emotive singer, adventurous and uninhibited writer, and enchanting and electrifying performer.

On the way to the Boston show in the car We were talking covers and Evonne said she read somewhere someone described MMJs covers and "irony-free" versions of Careless, All Night Long, etc.... Which is really just perfect and amazing

[subinai]

thanks for posting the relix article. i know the article's focus is on james but man it gets me excited about the future of MMJ.

[BH]

Wow great article.   I love when the writer really really GETS it.    It's evident all over this piece.    This line is fantastic:

a unique and emotive singer, adventurous and uninhibited writer, and enchanting and electrifying performer.

On the way to the Boston show in the car We were talking covers and Evonne said she read somewhere someone described MMJs covers and "irony-free" versions of Careless, All Night Long, etc.... Which is really just perfect and amazing

Yes!   I think it's Jim "uninhibited writing" that occasionally results in songs that sometimes get bashed a bit around here, and I get that, but that trait is also exactly what makes him special and I wouldn't want it any other way.    He does what feels right to him and as long as he keeps doing that, his "creative days" will NEVER be over.

[sweatboard]

Yeah, it takes real balls to write a song like Librarian and not double think it. 

[lucylew]

I really need some JJ tour dates! 

[The DARK]

Just caved and listened to it. I love it, though it's probably not for everyone. Here's a bit of a rundown for those who are looking for a more positive view of the album:

1. State of the Art- The dramatic mood is a little reminiscent of Victory Dance, only it never quite goes over the top to reach the big climax. It's got a very nice groove to it. The lyrics set the tone for the album, where there's a very clear reference to the deal with the devil in God's Man.

2. Know Til Now- You probably know this one by now. It's worth noting that the ending sax groove doesn't extend over into the next song.

3. Dear One- The positive lyrics are at odds with the tense and nervy instrumentation. Mood-wise, think Touch Me Pt. 1. Along with the next song, this one might have been able to fit on a Jacket album.

4. A New Life- I'm surprised this wasn't the single. It's the most effortless, uncomplicated pop song Jim has ever written, and it sounds great.

5. Exploding- Absolutely sounds like one of M. Ward's instrumental pieces. Quite beautiful.

6. Of the Mother Again- This one sounds nothing like any Jacket song you've heard before. It's all cascading, shimmery 80's keyboards, along with smooth-jazz sax and spiritual lyrics. It all adds up to something very unique and peaceful. For those looking for an easy comparison, Destroyer's Kaputt feels like the touchstone here.

7. Actress- Jim gets the 70's pop feel right here, with a very easygoing pace and a string section throughout the background of the song. The lyrics are very positive and form a sort of summary of Jim's spiritual vision.

8. All is Forgiven- This one has a dark and spooky Middle Eastern vibe throughout. The lyrics are very self-questioning given the title.

9. God's Love to Deliver- An unusual ending to the album. It starts out similarly to One in the Same, with high, warbling vocals about MLK and only acoustic guitar, but quickly gives way to downbeat sax and ambiguous reflections on the meaning of a past relationship.

Production- The most unique part about the album, as it certainly doesn't sound remotely like any previous MMJ album. Jacket albums are full of color; this one is painted in shades of grey. The two closest touchstones I can come up with are A Ghost Is Born and some of Danger Mouse's denser moments, especially on the last two songs.

Lyrics- A little bit obvious in places, though when it is it's befitting of the songs. They are very much spirituality-based and positive for most of the album, though never preachy or unquestioning. There's also a very clear journey taken throughout the album; it doesn't directly follow God's Man, but the influence and themes are there.

Instrumentation- Surprisingly ornate. Keyboards, sax, and strings abound, and Jim absolutely nailed the future-retro feel. I'm impressed that Jim played most of what you hear on the album, not because of the technical difficulty, but the sheer amount of instrumentation. It's hard to believe that all this was the work of just one man in the studio.

Favorite songs: State of the Art, A New Life, Of the Mother Again.

[sweatboard]

Isn't it time that we move past the whole downloading an album before it comes out issue?  It's like weed, or gay marriage....do it or don't....the real issue is minding your own fucking buisness.  Is it really going to effect how you hear this record if I hear it a month before you do?  FUCK!!! 

[sweatboard]

[sweatboard]

Spoiler Alert, here is my review of this record........


I mean I could go into the old school beatles style value on production, the amazing atmosphere, the heart on the sleve songwritting, the tasty use of horns, the layers, the soul sermons, etc. etc....

but, I wont.  I'll just say...This record sounds like George Harrison and Jim should just get a room, smoke a bowl, and wake up and roll around in some flowers forever....It's a beauitful thing!!! 


P.S.
I found track 4 to be the most M.Ward worthy..kills the horns and gets in the "two halves" style 60's dance vibe. 

5. Got me hard for a second, thinking it would turn into I Will Be There When You Die or Old Sep. Blues......cock tease.   

track 8 Gerorge Harrison Curry Soup, leads to running through the poppy fields with the cast of the wizard of oz.

track 9 Jim layers his vocals like George Michael on Mushrooms.  Finally, It's the art of making an Album. 
It's a lost art
Still being hard fought to be found.

Thank God!!! 

[EverythingChanges]

Where are you guys hearing the album at?

[Fully]

Where are you guys hearing the album at?

It came with my roll call purchase. No, it's out there. It's not streaming, but it leaked awhile back. I've listened to it, and I'll buy it when the official release comes out.

[BigHerm]

Love it. 

[Dillsnufus]

but, I wont.  I'll just say...This record sounds like George Harrison and Jim should just get a room, smoke a bowl, and wake up and roll around in some flowers forever....It's a beauitful thing!!! 

coincidentally I listened to this album the first time after seeing the new George Harrison documentary. I thought this album was very him too.

[oistheone]

I haven't listened to this album yet, but I had to chime in on these George Harrison comments.

Even with the "Tribute To" album, I think we STILL underrate just how big of an effect George Harrison had on Jim as a songwriter. Their chording styles and huge, octave-jumping melodies are so similar it's hard to ignore. I know Jim did a cover of this on the tribute album, but listening to this demo of "Behind That Locked Door", I can practically HEAR Jim, even though this was recorded almost a decade before he was even born. They are on the same spiritual/songwriting level for sure. Am I the only one who hears a "One In The Same"-esque Jim?

George Harrison - "Behind That Locked Door" Demo

[MMPJ6306]

gotta say, this thread was worrying me... I torrented it just because I couldn't wait with all this discussion. Superlatives are not necessary for the record, but it's good! Sounds like Z or EU...


That being said EVERYONE THAT'S GOTTEN IT ALREADY NEEDS TO ALSO BUY IT WHEN IT COMES OUT OR YOU'RE NOT REALLY A FAN

[MamaKel]

This album is a stunning, expansive and mind-blowing work of art.  It is grounded, yet mystical. Far-reaching, yet approachable.  It has a wide body of influences, yet is so uniquely its own. I'm not kidding when I say that this is an album that will change how music is made.  IT IS AN ALBUM. Stemming from a unified theory, from a single voice, it manages to be effortlessly eclectic.  People who can't understand Evil Urges, will understand it now, in the sense that it was a stepping stone on the ladder of experimentation.  This genre-bending is, as Jim so often is, transcendent and genius. It is a time-warping leap into the future, using an ancient time machine.  It is so hard to make something this complex seem simple.   Touches of Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Marvin Gaye...exactly those voices Jim uses the spiritual pipeline to contact, are found here.  People ask whether it is possible to make a 'concept' album anymore.  The answer is absolutely, yes.  But you have to start with a concept.  This album, being based on the Faustian "Gods' Man" sounds like a sonic Bible for the non-believer and the non-reader.  In medieval times, they used to carve storylines from the Bible into the sides of churches for the lay persons who could not read.  For example, scenes of Revelation were always on the Western façade, so that tone was set with the setting sun.  This album reminds me of that.  That for a generation of people removed from spiritual discipline, be it religious or artistic, this is where the sun rises and sets...it's an adventure into the meta-cognition beyond duality...but the catch...the catch, is that you choose your own adventure.

[j.]

First time hearing a new life, I started laughing so hard because I felt m. ward had just popped in and finished the track for Jim. great album, love it. all of the songs are great in their own ways. all is forgiven was getting hate it seemed from the comments but it's probably one of my top tracks from this release.