Set without Off the Record

[slichard]

Off the Record is definitely MMJ's most recognizable song, so when they play festivals it seems logical that they perform it.  I was at Coachella last weekend and they played a 1 hour set, and Off the Record was of course in it. I personally think that song should be cut from their sets that have time restrained. They have other songs that are better suited for the live show...like Run Thru and Mahgettah which were both excluded from the Coachella set. Off the Record is certainly a catchy song, but its more of a great studio song than a live one.

So yea, just my opinion that OTR probably doesn't need to be a staple, especially in shorter sets, like say One Big Holiday, Wordless Chorus, or Gideon.

[The DARK]

Fair enough. I however think that Off the Record is a brilliant song when played live, especially with the heavy jam after the second chorus ends. I think that it deserves to be in the shorter setlists more than Run Thru, which can be extremely extended live.

[thatswhatshesaid]

definitely a staple. it gives them some space to play around a bit. i do agree that it would be nice to change it up a bit, but i'm certainly not going to complain.

[Jon T.]

Welcome slichard!

I gotta disagree though.  I'm not a big fan of the studio version, but that song live is a whlole 'nother beast.  imo

[ycartrob]

the best memory I have of Off the Record is seeing it played live. Gets a little psychedelic.

[bold99]

I would be disappointed if I didn't hear Off The Record...I love that jam.

[LEATHER KID]

Welcome also.   I'd say OBH is their most recognizable song and OTR kicks ass live everytime I've seen it.

[buymycar]

It even kicked ass when they played it acoustic at the Bridge School Benefit last year.

[JerseyDan]

gotta play the single, simple as that.

[marino13]

Off the Record is definitely MMJ's most recognizable song, so when they play festivals it seems logical that they perform it.  I was at Coachella last weekend and they played a 1 hour set, and Off the Record was of course in it. I personally think that song should be cut from their sets that have time restrained. They have other songs that are better suited for the live show...like Run Thru and Mahgettah which were both excluded from the Coachella set. Off the Record is certainly a catchy song, but its more of a great studio song than a live one.

So yea, just my opinion that OTR probably doesn't need to be a staple, especially in shorter sets, like say One Big Holiday, Wordless Chorus, or Gideon.

Everyone has their own tastes, and I agree with you completely on this one.  I would readily trade OTR and WAWM for Mahgeeta and/or Run Thru.  Also, I'm not as big on the falsetto vocals, so if he is going to sing EU and Highly Suspicious, I wouldn't mind seeing Wordless Chorus cut out of the short sets also.  Overall, I'm getting a little weary of Z in general (except Gideon,Dondante,LayLow) and wish they would give those songs a break and bring back more from It Still Moves and At Dawn.  

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

you must also remmeber Z is Carl and Bo's record...ISM and AD aren't...

PS: The Off The Record jam is my favorite jam of theirs.  

PSS: Is that you Rich?

[slichard]

word c spliff

[cfloyd3]

Well, I will have to agree.  I think it is easily the worst song MMJ has ever created and I dislike it very much (I always skip it).  Come Closer and Chills would replace it admirably.  Different strokes.

[DaFunkyPrecedent]

I use to love OTR - then I didn't like it as much - then I watched Okonokos and fell in love with it again - then they played it at Telluride and I fuckin shat my pants it sounded so tight and well put together that if i dont hear it live I will be sad....  

Maybe tomorrow my opinions will change...
I like how he almost sounds like he has an accent when he yells "Off The Record" - makes the song for me.  

[the_wizzard]

I love Off the Record.  the song gets torn to shreads at the end with a mushy, rock-n-roll, sound-gasm.  I listened to the SXSW version tonight (ummm, 2 times, ya' know for accuracy).  They rip it up (oh my jesus).  thank god for live OTR.

[sweatboard]

I like this song; but it's one of the only songs I'm not really attached to emotionally or any other kind of way when it comes to the lyrics.  I have no really good idea what this song is about, so it's hard for me to get into it.  I'm not saying I KNOW what all the other songs are about but I have an attachment to them and they mean something to me, this song just doesn't get me like that.  I suppose the Long Jam and then the sentiment of keeping it "off the record" intrigues me" but I just feel like I'm not really "getting this song" I think if I could ask the band about one song this would be the one.  Thoughts?