MONSTERS OF FOLK!!

[the_wizzard]

Hi Johnny!  We have quite a few deadheads in these parts, so you are in good company.  Welcome to the love of MMJ and to the forum!

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

welcome johnny, new fans who know what's up kick ass.  you know what's up.  rock on.

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

I just wished I liked Oberst I find myself skipping to the parts where Jim and M. Ward sing.

silence.

[Love Dogg]

I am a 42 year old Deadhead.  In May 08 I caught this band on SNL.  I was intrigued.  While awaiting the June release of Evil Urges, I picked up one, then two, then all their albums.  I downloaded dozens and dozens of bootlegs.  I caught them in Boston, deemed by some a lackluster show, but- god damn!- it was awesome.  I now hold many gigs of video and shows, got Acoustic Chorale on eBay, burned Rockpalast DVDs for friends, and deem MMJ the best music experience I've had since tripping with Jerry in the last decade of his life.

Monsters of Folk soothes an ache for more from Yim and MMJ.  I dusted off a copy of M. Ward's Hold Time and am impressed.  I can't bring myself to get into Oberst, but his work on MoF is fantastic.  Some of my friends can't get into all this, but more for me!

I posted that I had a ticket for the Boston MoF show, but it looks like I'm takin' my mom!  I'm surprisingly psyched to have her along.  The show is on her 65th birthday.  If you're there, we need to sing "Happy Birthday" to her, hopeully with the boys kickin' in (just kidding?).

Sorry for the rant, I'm a little high, but I've listened to MoF a dozen times in the last two weeks and am so very happy to have it.  For all the mini-reviews and dissections in the last 26 pages, its just beautiful fun exceptional music.  

I know this is an MMJ forum, and appreciate those with encylopedic history and experience with their music.  I'm only in it a year and a half now, and I'm catching up.  I've seen most of the performers who were at Woodstock, Floyd, Gilmour, and Waters, Neil, The Allman Bros., the Dead (pre- and post-Jerry), Traffic, Clapton, Dylan, Hot Tuna, SRV, John Hammond, Buddy Guy, etc.  MMJ and, I imagine, MoF, are in my top 5.  That says a lot!

Again, forgive the ramble.  Would love some feedback.  See ya in Boston!

I love the testimonials...but when someone of your musical background (experience and taste) falls for these guys, it further cements what I thought I already knew.  Thanks for posting...and welcome!

[Bigsky]

Based purely on one listen to the whole album I'm distinctly underwhelmed. I always rate songs on my mp3 player and I found myself issuing a lot of 3 stars, some 4 stars, and no 5's.

It got me wondering. These albums where kindred spirits / friends collaborate....how often do they really work?

What are the best examples of collaborations / side projects that produce classic albums?

If you change your mind later do you add additional stars?  Or once it's a three, you have your mind made up.  NO MORE STARS FOR YOU! Like the Star Nazi?

I'm not sure about other albums but I'm not sure that's really relevant.   When you listen to it, does it make you feel good, or no?

There really are not that many examples of albums that were created by three singer songwriters.  Can anyone name some?  The criteria is that there needs to be three or more singer song writers that had at least one significant album prior to the collaboration.

1.  Travelling Wilburys

2. Monsters of Folk

[Penny Lane]

not sure if someone posted this yet:




Indie Stars Become 'Monsters Of Folk'
All Things Considered
by Will Hermes


September 25, 2009 - Supergroups have a long tradition in popular music. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson once joined forces as The Highwaymen. There were the Fania All-Stars, The Four Tenors and Audioslave. Recently, a group of established indie-rock musicians decided to partake in this tradition. They cheekily call themselves Monsters of Folk, and they've just released their debut album.

As a rule, I'm not a fan of supergroups; they usually water down individual visions without nailing down a collective one, and most pop stars aren't so good at sharing the spotlight. But when I heard that Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and solo artist M. Ward were teaming up, I thought, "OK, I love their work separately. With any luck it'll be, maybe, a Traveling Wilburys." To my surprise, these guys are in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young territory.

OK, maybe Monsters of Folk's members are more disaffected than Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and perhaps a little less polished. But like many of the year's outstanding indie-rock records — by Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors — the warmth and power of vocal harmonies are central to the Monsters of Folk record. And not in any single way: The men are folkies on one song, rockers on another. In "Dear God," they even do a halfway decent impression of The Impressions.

Beyond the singing, the group has three of rock's best songwriters working at the top of their game. Some songs have one man's imprint, like "Sandman, the Brakeman and Me" with lead vocals by M. Ward. Other songs seem like real collaborative efforts, and they work a few thematic threads. One is the idea of God, and another related theme is war.

Monsters of Folk might be addressing big themes, but there's little certainty in the band's lyrics. In that way, it feels less like a supergroup and more like, I don't know, a therapy group — although far more musical than any of the ones I've been in.

[Penny Lane]

also just saw this: (sorry if this repetitive, also)

http://www.esquire.com/features/music/monsters-of-folk-1009?click=main_sr

I love this:

[size=14]My Morning Jacket has been so rewarding, and challenging, to follow because Jim James clearly has little interest in repeating himself as a singer or a songwriter. Across a half dozen albums, he's indulged in dark blues, falsetto-led funk, and reverb-heavy psychedelica with equal conviction. Morning Jacket's songs leave you wondering whether they were written and recorded in 1966 or 2009, but not in a nostalgic or retro way. Their research into slinky psychedelic folk has led to an arms race with Wilco.[/size]

[Soulshine]

Great reads Penny....thanks!  :)

[capt. scotty]

As a rule, I'm not a fan of supergroups; they usually water down individual visions without nailing down a collective one, and most pop stars aren't so good at sharing the spotlight. But when I heard that Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and solo artist M. Ward were teaming up, I thought, "OK, I love their work separately. With any luck it'll be, maybe, a Traveling Wilburys." To my surprise, these guys are in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young territory.

Lofty company!

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

not sure if someone posted this yet:




Indie Stars Become 'Monsters Of Folk'
All Things Considered
by Will Hermes


September 25, 2009 - Supergroups have a long tradition in popular music. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson once joined forces as The Highwaymen. There were the Fania All-Stars, The Four Tenors and Audioslave. Recently, a group of established indie-rock musicians decided to partake in this tradition. They cheekily call themselves Monsters of Folk, and they've just released their debut album.

As a rule, I'm not a fan of supergroups; they usually water down individual visions without nailing down a collective one, and most pop stars aren't so good at sharing the spotlight. But when I heard that Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and solo artist M. Ward were teaming up, I thought, "OK, I love their work separately. With any luck it'll be, maybe, a Traveling Wilburys." To my surprise, these guys are in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young territory.

OK, maybe Monsters of Folk's members are more disaffected than Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and perhaps a little less polished. But like many of the year's outstanding indie-rock records — by Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Dirty Projectors — the warmth and power of vocal harmonies are central to the Monsters of Folk record. And not in any single way: The men are folkies on one song, rockers on another. In "Dear God," they even do a halfway decent impression of The Impressions.

Beyond the singing, the group has three of rock's best songwriters working at the top of their game. Some songs have one man's imprint, like "Sandman, the Brakeman and Me" with lead vocals by M. Ward. Other songs seem like real collaborative efforts, and they work a few thematic threads. One is the idea of God, and another related theme is war.

Monsters of Folk might be addressing big themes, but there's little certainty in the band's lyrics. In that way, it feels less like a supergroup and more like, I don't know, a therapy group — although far more musical than any of the ones I've been in.

great review, thanks for postin it up hur yo.  good for MOF, they deserve it.

[Soulshine]

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/30054666/review/30264289/monsters_of_folk

[BH]

#15 on first Billboard 200

It says it's in it's second week and that it debuted at #143.  Not sure why that is since this is the first chart it's eligible for after a 9-22 release.

[Love Dogg]

#15 on first Billboard 200

It says it's in it's second week and that it debuted at #143.  Not sure why that is since this is the first chart it's eligible for after a 9-22 release.

I'm not sure about the details, but #15 is good!  And there's still time to climb.   ;)

[the sun and moon]

Monsters of Folk mural goes up in Phoenix:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2009/10/monsters_of_folk_mural_pops_up.php

pretty cool, huh?

[Love Dogg]

Monsters of Folk mural goes up in Phoenix:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2009/10/monsters_of_folk_mural_pops_up.php

pretty cool, huh?

Suweet!   :D

[AMightyCaporal]

Monsters of Folk mural goes up in Phoenix:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2009/10/monsters_of_folk_mural_pops_up.php

pretty cool, huh?

Suweet!   :D

agreed. a fun little mural

[xmascriminal]

Monsters of Folk mural goes up in Phoenix:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2009/10/monsters_of_folk_mural_pops_up.php

pretty cool, huh?

Suweet!   :D

agreed. a fun little mural

How come Mike is the only one he doesn't draw with an ugly, distorted face? Regardless, it's cool.

[AMightyCaporal]

Monsters of Folk mural goes up in Phoenix:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2009/10/monsters_of_folk_mural_pops_up.php

pretty cool, huh?

Suweet!   :D

agreed. a fun little mural

How come Mike is the only one he doesn't draw with an ugly, distorted face? Regardless, it's cool.

its true- its not the nicest looking piece of art- I don't love the look of it.  But its a cool idea plus its about MOF so you can't go wrong.

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

Based purely on one listen to the whole album I'm distinctly underwhelmed. I always rate songs on my mp3 player and I found myself issuing a lot of 3 stars, some 4 stars, and no 5's.

It got me wondering. These albums where kindred spirits / friends collaborate....how often do they really work?

What are the best examples of collaborations / side projects that produce classic albums?

If you change your mind later do you add additional stars?  Or once it's a three, you have your mind made up.  NO MORE STARS FOR YOU! Like the Star Nazi?

I'm not sure about other albums but I'm not sure that's really relevant.   When you listen to it, does it make you feel good, or no?

There really are not that many examples of albums that were created by three singer songwriters.  Can anyone name some?  The criteria is that there needs to be three or more singer song writers that had at least one significant album prior to the collaboration.

1.  Travelling Wilburys

2. Monsters of Folk

3. Broken Social Scene (kevin Drew, Brendon Canning, Fiest, Emily Hains of Metric, dudes from Do Make Say Think, people from Stars...like everyone from Canada pretty much.)
4. CSNY (Crosby of The Byrds, Stills of Buffalo Springfield, Nash of The Hollies, Young of B. Spring)
5. The Highway Men (Cash, Willie, Jennings, Kris)
6. Temple Of The Dog (I guess it's just Cornell and Vedder on vocals right?)
7. Blind Faith (Clapton, Winwood, Grech of Traffic)
8. Child Rebel Solider (Lupe, Kanye and Pherell)!!!!

but your right, there aren't that many "great" super groups.  Monsters of Folk is hands down my favorite of the bunch so far - but I also have an extreme bias for high falsetto's and great song writing.  

[BH]

Temple of the Dog is out.  Vedder only guests on one song, and that's only two singer/songwriters anyway.

Broken Social Scene is basically Kevin Drew and Brendon Canning, and Drew didn't have any significant release prior to forming BSS while Canning had a band called Hhead.  I'm not familiar but maybe they were big once.  Either way I don't think they apply hear.

I think only Winwood and Clapton wrote the songs and sang the on Blind Faith album, correct me if I'm wrong.

I think we should wait until Child Rebel Soldier actually releases and album before we put them on the list.

However CSNY and The Highway Men are excellent additions.

Also, being great is not even a requirement.  I'm just looking for three singer songwriters with some sort of significant previous material.

1. Monsters of Folk
2. Traveling Wilburys
3. The Highway Men
4. CSNY