The Waterfall II

[Brother Beck]

Had the album on repeat yesterday, after the listening party I gave it a 6. The album is a solid 8/9.

I still think the first few songs are on the weaker side but Feel you to the end is just perfect.

This is pretty much exactly my take.  I wasn't blown away during the initial listen but now I would say the album is probably a 9 out of 10, possibly 9.5.  I love "Spinning My Wheels" but I do think there is a very slight dip in quality with the next two tracks, but things pick right back up again with "Feel You" and never let up. 

[erwen11]

OK. I've now listened to this 6-7 times through, including on some edibles last night. People, this album is absolutely incredible. Just a perfect showcase of their range and expertise as musicians, start-to-finish. I don't have the eloquence to describe why I like each track so much, but they all hit me in different ways and they all sound amazing. So happy this popped into my life.

[Lucius]

Run It seems to be a favorite on here.  To me it is the most boring track.  What am I missing?  I don't dislike the song (and I am in love with the album)...I just feel like the song is super repetitive.

Love it- super soulful, awesome piano, kind of reminds me of a vintage 70s feel good summer classic. Bill withers meets the band type song.
Also gives me some Dead vibes think Mississippi half step

The piano definitely saved it for me. I'm really not a huge fan of stripped back/acoustic/songwriter stuff like this but it's a nice song. It has a nice vibe and I think would work very well smack bang in the middle of a high energy live show. My first thought was FILLER but it's grown on me a lot.

OK. I've now listened to this 6-7 times through, including on some edibles last night. People, this album is absolutely incredible. Just a perfect showcase of their range and expertise as musicians, start-to-finish. I don't have the eloquence to describe why I like each track so much, but they all hit me in different ways and they all sound amazing. So happy this popped into my life.

I also gave it the 420 test last night and can confirm the album absolutely opened up for me. Magic Bullet and Wasted are two phenomenal slices of stoner rock. And of course Feel You - already a huge song but I was close to tears listening to it high. The ending to Still Thinkin is also magnificent but I'm not 100% sold on the song itself yet.

Couple of days in and I'm gonna have to admit there's not a single song that I really dislike on this one. It's a start to finish record for me, definitely.

[RobRoy286]

Dancefloors (to the quiet part of the jam) -> Run It -> Dancefloors reprise.

Think about it...

[MPP]

Had the album on repeat yesterday, after the listening party I gave it a 6. The album is a solid 8/9.

I still think the first few songs are on the weaker side but Feel you to the end is just perfect.

This is pretty much exactly my take.  I wasn't blown away during the initial listen but now I would say the album is probably a 9 out of 10, possibly 9.5.  I love "Spinning My Wheels" but I do think there is a very slight dip in quality with the next two tracks, but things pick right back up again with "Feel You" and never let up. 

Think I'm on my 8th listen (still up, surprisingly).  Nodding my head at both of your takes. Spinning, then Feel You (in an earlier FM/MTV radio time, would become a monster hit) to the end is just a perfect run of songs, one of those that both deep fans and first time listeners can get hooked by and appreciate. But I like Still Thinking and Climbing too, actually sent the Still Thinking link to a couple of non-fan friends knowing that 60's BB/Beatles vibe would appeal on first listen.

For me anyway, that's what differentiates WII from Waterfall. Both are really good in their own ways.  This is an album of ten mostly traditional structured songs that flow well together, infused with great rock riffs layered over and between gorgeous melodies and pop hooks. A number of Waterfall songs (Infancy, Spring, Tropics) sound more experimental, great in their own way, but quite different than say Big D or Thin Line.  Hillside Song, which I love, would fit well on this album.  Good companion to Welcome Home.

[dookie shoot bandit]

Run It seems to be a favorite on here.  To me it is the most boring track.  What am I missing?  I don't dislike the song (and I am in love with the album)...I just feel like the song is super repetitive.

Love it- super soulful, awesome piano, kind of reminds me of a vintage 70s feel good summer classic. Bill withers meets the band type song.
Also gives me some Dead vibes think Mississippi half step

100% feelin The Band comparison

[dookie shoot bandit]

I can't stop watching the video while listening to the whole album
I wish they would release this on dvd/Blu-ray with the bundle vinyl package
It adds so much to the experience and awesomeness to the album

[Lucius]

I went for a walk today, at one point I had a long path ahead of me and nobody was around so I decided to get my phone out fire up Spotify and played Spinning My Wheels. It was a magical moment, sunset + I live close to the sea. The words and music really resonated!

[dookie shoot bandit]

I don't know if it's I just missed them them so much??? But I'm so in love with this album!!! I can't believe these songs were kept hidden from the world this long???
If you literally add Spring and Tropics and make this a 12 song LP...It would be close to perfection!

[Cameron]

I've probably listened 10 times now. It's awesome. I can't believe this was kept from us for 5 years. I still can't get into The First Time but everything else is magical.

[gardenparty]

This us such a great album.

I still havent had a chance to blast it yet but what a nice surprise

Just beautiful

I did a random mix today with both waterfall and the b-sides. It reminded me how good Waterfall 1 is.

this one is different. I think it may be better. Cant say that yet though. Just feels instantly classic

[MMJCOBRA]

OK. I've now listened to this 6-7 times through, including on some edibles last night. People, this album is absolutely incredible. Just a perfect showcase of their range and expertise as musicians, start-to-finish. I don't have the eloquence to describe why I like each track so much, but they all hit me in different ways and they all sound amazing. So happy this popped into my life.

definitely

[ellisintransit]

Hi friends!  It's another damned amazing album.  Like most of yall I've had this bad boy on repeat and it keeps revealing itself in new and beautiful ways.  MMJ always treats us right.  That's all I got.   

[Dondantesinferno]

I can't stop watching the video while listening to the whole album
I wish they would release this on dvd/Blu-ray with the bundle vinyl package
It adds so much to the experience and awesomeness to the album

Not suggesting anything unsavory but you do know you can do a 1 month trial of YouTube Premium for free if you cancel within that first month? This way there aren't any advertisements. And if you have a Windows 10 PC around you can record your screen image using the windows key plus G plus R using the Game App feature?

I've heard it generates a video capture of about 2.5GB that can be burned onto a DVD for posterity or saved on a flash drive.
Well that's what I heard...

[e_wind]

hot damn I am thrilled to see so many familiar people here after all these years...

This album has pleasantly surprised me. It's really heckin' good. Can't wait to see 'Wasted' live. Also, love that they put Welcome Home on there. I've always loved that song.

[e_wind]

okay now that I got that nice post out of the way, I can be critical. All in all, I'm loving the album, but theres a few clunkers IMO. (Namely Magic Bullet and the First Time)

Every other song is pretty dang good. TBH I was very nervous about this album. Circuital is... not for me. All of the JJ solo catalogue is also not for me (ROLSOG has a couple tracks I like a lot.) BUT, now that there have been 2 albums I like a lot since Circuital, I am re-convinced that Circuital was just a fluke, and they are still making the best shit out there.

[WeeksByDays]

Feel You -> Steam Engine

Please make it happen!!!

[gardenparty]

Too soon ranking:

Wasted
Feel ya
Spinning my Wheels
Welcome Home
Still Thinkin
Run It
Magic Bullet
Climbing the Ladder
Beautiful love
The First Time

[RobRoy286]

Feel You -> Steam Engine

Please make it happen!!!

Yup! Totally sounds like a Steam Engine jam, that was my first thought. I theorize that many songs are born out of Dantes and Steams.

[MMJTX]

I'll throw my $.02 in here after listening all weekend.
I missed the Thursday listening party but waited all day friday until after work to throw on the video and watched/listened, initial reaction was goosebumps and loved it.

Seen a couple people say they don't care for Climbin the Ladder, i can see that as it seems a little hokey/comical almost, but i think that's the genius of the song, it's obviously about Jim's climbin the career ladder in music industry, but it starts out with that pedal steel guitar and an overly country riff that i feel is a throwback/homage to their southern country rock roots. Also love the tempo change in the middle of Jim getting tired of climbing, then it picks back up again, it's a pretty genius song in my opinion.

Run It - has been what i keep singing in my head and going back to, definitely feel the Grateful Dead vibes, i love this song, possibly my #1 on the album

Wasted - obviously a monster, might be the best jam they've ever recorded on a STUDIO record right? up there with OBH and Mageetah and Dancefloors