Evil Urges discussion........

[Oz]

The problem with Evil Urges is the sound and the lyrics are just bad. And please don't give me this crap about them having fun. When I buy a My Morning Jacket album I want a My Morning Jacket album. I don't want Prince or the The Flaming Lips (but i must say, i love the flaming lips). If Jim James and the rest of the band wanted to do something strange like Evil Urges, I think they should have released the album under a different name.

That's very selfish, don't you think? So the band should keep making the music that YOU like and not the music THEY want to make? If you don't like the record that's totally fine, maybe you'll like the next one but don't say they didn't make a My Morning Jacket album cause this album is MMJ all the way. If you really don't think so you might not fully understand what this band is about.

oh and welcome :)

Nah Riny, you're just gay saying that! MMJ should be making real rock albums and fuck pussies and shoot niggers, like our man vedderhoof and this man right here:

[shockadow]

If you don't really like a band and they haven't played in your major metropolitan city for bertter than (appx) 5-7 years, am I stupid for insinuating that they are not still relevant to me??  I just don't dig them.  Sorry.  I'm tired of fighting about stuff.  I couldn't care less about Pearl Jam.  They quit making music for me 15 years ago.  I've moved on. End.
Now, MMJ is new, fresh, and exciting.  They are evolving and making different sounding music to diversify their live performances and I can't wait till the shows start piling up.  
Just because I don't appreciate the same music as you doesn't take away my music knowledge.  I know PJ headlined a Euro tour with MMJ, I know that Vedder heard a THE BAND song behind a dressing room door and performed it with the guys the rest of that tour.  I KNOW!!!!  I just moved past Pearl Jam.  Sorry.  I also retracted my derrogatory statements after Angry Ewok made me realize i was out of line.   But to say i am musically ignorant is a stretch.  You'd be surprized.
This is the 1st time i've been offended on this site.  Touche'!

[ycartrob]

If I can't practice, I can't practice. It is as simple as that. It ain't about that at all. It's easy to sum it up if you're just talking about practice. We're sitting here, and I'm supposed to be the franchise player, and we're talking about practice. I mean listen, we're sitting here talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, but we're talking about practice. Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game last it's my last but we're talking about practice man. How silly is that?

Now I know that I'm supposed to lead by example and all that but I'm not shoving that aside like it don't mean anything. I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice. When you come to the arena, and you see me play, you've seen me play right, you've seen me give everything I've got, but we're talking about practice right now.

[allode]

Everyone has the right to express an opinion and every album can't be for everyone.  But dude, the gay thing is way offensive.  

Other people have suggested you listen to the album a few times more, I say let it go, it's not for you.  As an alternative I suggest focus on thinking before you speak, learning some tolerance and getting a little more comfortable with yourself.

Good luck man.

I agree. The guy that kept going on about the album being gay has some issues to work out.

[allode]

If you have listened to this album more than just once, and you walk away thinking this is simply a "fun" album, then you are seriously mental.  I think some of the songs are fun, but the lyrics are very deep all throughout this album.  I hope people who post shit about how the lyrics suck, the songs are silly, etc, have listened to this album at least a few times, b/c they are going to feel ashamed if they listen to it more and see the beauty and hard-hitting sounds that surround this great album.

By the way,this album doesn't just sound like prince and flaming lips, it sounds like everything combined with MMJ thrashing this mighty big paint brush of sound.

I've listened to the album from start to finish 2 times and skipping from song song, I don't know how many times. I've been listening to it all day.

I agree with what you said about MMJ taking all the sounds a mixing them with their own kind of style; most of the songs retain recognizable MMJ elements. But mixing those sounds and delivering it as MMJ just doesn't sound good to me. When I listen to something I like, I have to feel it. Something about the sound and lyrics working together will give me goosebumps. Into The Woods does it to me. At Dawn live does it to me. But when I hear Jim James screech "peanut butter pudding surprise" and hear his band back him up with "I'm Highly Suspicious of You!" I get a bad feeling. It's too corny I guess.

[allode]

The problem with Evil Urges is the sound and the lyrics are just bad. And please don't give me this crap about them having fun. When I buy a My Morning Jacket album I want a My Morning Jacket album. I don't want Prince or the The Flaming Lips (but i must say, i love the flaming lips). If Jim James and the rest of the band wanted to do something strange like Evil Urges, I think they should have released the album under a different name.

That's very selfish, don't you think? So the band should keep making the music that YOU like and not the music THEY want to make? If you don't like the record that's totally fine, maybe you'll like the next one but don't say they didn't make a My Morning Jacket album cause this album is MMJ all the way. If you really don't think so you might not fully understand what this band is about.

oh and welcome :)

I guess I don't understand what the band is all about because I didn't see MMJ making this album right now.
You are right that it's their band and they do what they please. The statement about them releasing the album under a different name isn't because I want them to only make music I like. I'm speaking not just from the perspective of a disappointed fan. I think it would be smart for any band to not change their sound SO drastically after they released many albums and created a pacing. Each MMJ evolved. Each one add some things and took some things away. It worked for me because they didn't take huge leaps. Some bands do take those huge leaps from album to album and it's risky. MMJ took that risk and I think they missed the ledge. And I hope for their next album, they go back to making the sounds I love.  ;)

thank you for all the warm welcomes. i can't figure out if they are all back-handed or sincere. oh well, if you're not friendly you're not a true MMJ fan anyways.

[ycartrob]

oh well, if you're not friendly you're not a true MMJ fan anyways.

allode, with all due respect, if you come here saying, "The problem with Evil Urges is the sound and the lyrics are just bad" and  then talk about fans convincing themselves that they like it, what do you expect?

And I simply like the music, I didn't create it. Write Jim James a letter, he's the one you have a beef with. I think you're expecting a little too much from people when you come here, slam the band's new record, slam their fans, and then expect people to embrace you. That's not cool.

think about it.

[marino13]

Let's just delete or ignore this thread.  Vedderpoon obviously had one goal and that was to get everyone riled up.  The way he came out firing he clearly didn't want any kind of reasonable discussion.  He is obviously a total douche and not worth our time.

[1derfulman]

PJ 2008 = MMJ 2013 if they continued to make the safe, folky, awesome tunes that they've been cranking out.  They've proven they write incredible songs, are awesome musicians (there are plenty that are better at each of their instruments...maybe not better than Pat), and Jim's voice is pure gold.  Luckily, Jim Jesus James & Co. are going to continue to grow and put shit out there that is fresh, fun, smart, and rawkin.  Has Pearl Jam really come up with anything new in the past 10-15 years??  There are only a couple of bands out there that have been putting out some really new sounds and they couldn't do the things that MMJ has already done.

I'm 40. I'm a man.

[allode]

Let's just delete or ignore this thread.  Vedderpoon obviously had one goal and that was to get everyone riled up.  The way he came out firing he clearly didn't want any kind of reasonable discussion.  He is obviously a total douche and not worth our time.

I don't think the thread should be deleted. the dude that started it is a total douche but I think having a thread that critically talks about the new album is a good thing.

[allode]

allode, with all due respect, if you come here saying, "The problem with Evil Urges is the sound and the lyrics are just bad" and  then talk about fans convincing themselves that they like it, what do you expect?

And I simply like the music, I didn't create it. Write Jim James a letter, he's the one you have a beef with. I think you're expecting a little too much from people when you come here, slam the band's new record, slam their fans, and then expect people to embrace you. That's not cool.

think about it.

I do apologize for slamming the people that like the new album. I didn't mean to use such a broad brush. I'm sure there are people on this site that genuinely like EU. But, I do think there are people that say they like it only because MMJ made it. Like I said before, I'm NOT totally surprised because this IS MMJ's website. I expect to see the craziest of fans here (i'm not calling every person that frequents this site crazy).

[tbw]

allode, with all due respect, if you come here saying, "The problem with Evil Urges is the sound and the lyrics are just bad" and  then talk about fans convincing themselves that they like it, what do you expect?

And I simply like the music, I didn't create it. Write Jim James a letter, he's the one you have a beef with. I think you're expecting a little too much from people when you come here, slam the band's new record, slam their fans, and then expect people to embrace you. That's not cool.

think about it.

I do apologize for slamming the people that like the new album. I didn't mean to use such a broad brush. I'm sure there are people on this site that genuinely like EU. But, I do think there are people that say they like it only because MMJ made it. Like I said before, I'm NOT totally surprised because this IS MMJ's website. I expect to see the craziest of fans here (i'm not calling every person that frequents this site crazy).

I'm not crazy just a bit KOOKY...

I am a fairly new fan and yes I am admitting that I first heard MMJ songs by the "leak". I loved every one of them and went out and bought all of their previous recordings. I love it all. Not because it is MMJ but because they are unique. Isn't it f'in fantastic that all of their songs do not sound the same? That is the problem with some parts of the cookie cutter society, people like the same old, some don't like change. Ya know and that's ok...for them. But others, well, like the world and the things/people in it to evolve a bit...keeps life interesting.

[Taterbug]

The fine individual that started this thread should change his screen name to LimbaughO'reilly.  

[tbw]

The fine individual that started this thread should change his screen name to LimbaughO'reilly.  

;D Perfecto!

[marino13]

[/quote]
I do apologize for slamming the people that like the new album. I didn't mean to use such a broad brush. I'm sure there are people on this site that genuinely like EU. But, I do think there are people that say they like it only because MMJ made it. Like I said before, I'm NOT totally surprised because this IS MMJ's website. I expect to see the craziest of fans here (i'm not calling every person that frequents this site crazy).[/quote]


Now that I've finally had the chance to listen to EU a few times, I can comment.  There are definitely things I don't like about the album yet, most notably the long stretch of soft rock in the middle section.  I hate the cheesy background vocals on Sec Walkin and don't know that I'll ever totally like Highly Suspicious because of the annoying giggling.  

All that being said, I like the album more every time I hear it, and I think I will grow to really like it in short time.  There might be fans that have convinced themselves to like Evil Urges, but there are also fans stuck on MMJ's past sound that will convince themselves to hate EU and never give it a chance.

Also, I didn't want to stop this thread because I'm opposed to criticism of the album.  I wanted it stopped because vedderpoon is now jacking off because he got everyone hot and bothered and he started an 8 page thread.  We should really continue this discussion in another existing thread.

[Taterbug]

I really enjoy this big mess, I guess  I'm a homer, because my musical taste is evolving with the band.  There are songs on albums that do not appeal to me. But I   enjoy 80 % of what they have done.   I'm glad they take risks. Sometimes they hit and sometimes they miss. That is what I love about this band.   They take chances.  

[allode]

I agree with the comments about MMJ doing some different things and songs being hit or miss. I enjoy a nice consistently good album. That's why I love Band of Horses. But I also love a band that takes a CALCULATED risk on an album. On every MMJ album I have there are songs I go crazy for and then there are songs that are just good. On BoH albums every song holds about the same line. They are all very good, but my favorite MMJ songs are better than my favorite BoH songs. And my least favorite MMJ songs are worse than my least favorite BoH songs.
But with Evil Urges, there are no songs that I'm going crazy for. there are just a couple songs that are ok and the rest are just not good. They all do have good elements. There are some very sweet guitar elements on this album but Jim James' vocals are such a let down it's hard to get excited.

[mjkoehler]

I've seen several comments that I just kinda scratch my head at. Several have issues with the lack of reverb and the "missing" jams. Huh?!?!

So you're not going to like an album because it's not submerged in reverb? Get over it. Each album has had less and less. It's nice when used correctly but it's not the be all to end all. There are more important things to focus on. Harmony, lyrics, riffs, delivery, etc etc etc.

Also, the "missing" jams. Huh? Granted we are not getting a 10 minute jam where they are jerking off the fret board. Do we really have to have that every song every album? There are enough great solos/jams in this album to make anyone happy.

Do we want them to get pigeonholed as a band just known for long jams? I don't. Yeah they are nice once in a while but not all the damn time.

Hey, allode, I appreciate your opionion that you do not care too much for the album. Keep listening. Keep reading the lyrics. I think you'll find that you will change your stance. Its a very well written and sung album. His singing really isn't different on this then on the other 4 albums, other then the falsetto on Evil Urges and HS.

[gundy]

Evil Urges is awesome! If MMJ wanted to make a Z/Okonokos again, they've been there and done that. It's great to see them grow as musicians and see where their creative style takes them. By viewing all their interviews, MMJ is really proud of EU. It's good to hear some criticisms about EU but I'm sure once you hear it live, hopefully you'll like where the band is headin'.

Gundy

[allode]

mjkoehler, I've really been trying to love this album. After seeing how much the people on this site are enjoying it I thought, "Maybe I'm missing something. I'm a huge MMJ fan; they are huge MMJ fans." I've been listening to it pretty much two days straight. But it isn't getting any better for me. I have warmed up to "Smokin from Shootin" but while I was doing that I stopped enjoying the majority of "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream, Pt. 2."
I'm with you about the reverb and jamming. I must admit, I love the reverb on the vocals (Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses make me very happy) and I do like a good guitar solo from time to time, but I thought the instruments were great on EU and the lack of reverb was no problem. You or somebody said Jim's vocals weren't that different on EU (other than the obvious) and there are parts of the album I would go along with that, but for the most part it sounded like he just didn't care. I'm sure that's not the case; that's just how it sounded to me.