Monsters Of Folk are four dudes better known for other projects, they are the Them Crooked Vultures of the NPR-section of contemporary music, they are like the Traveling Wilburys but not as iconic, all of this is true. But also they are four dudes best known for playing guitar while they sing, which you’re reminded of as soon as The Tonight Show‘s camera pans past M. Ward bent over a piano and Yim Yames who keeps plucking that chicken bass. Conor gets to play it close to the vest with acoustic strums and totally necessary sunglasses (who’s gonna be the Orbison if not), and his other Bright Eye Mike Mogis holds it down on electric because just listen to that guitar solo. Centro-matic’s Will Johnson is their new drummer. The supergroup performed their album’s lead single “Say Please” last night, sounding nice and tight and looking like the best men at a wedding you wish you were invited to.
Hold out your hand:
There’s also a new b&w video for “The Right Place” that features studio footage, garden gnomes, and a lot of facial hair.
Monsters Of Folk is out via Shangri-La.
Tour:
10/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum
10/14 – Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer
10/15 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount
10/17 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
10/18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Greek Theatre
10/20 – San Diego, CA @ Spreckles Theatre
10/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
10/22 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
10/24 – Mountain View, CA @ Bridge School Benefit
10/25 – Mountain View, CA @ Bridge School Benefit
10/28 – Omaha, NE @ Holland Center
10/29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
10/30 – Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
10/31 – Louisville, KY @ Louisville Palace Theatre
11/02 – Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
11/03 – Boston, MA @ The Orpheum
11/06 – New York, NY @ United Palace
11/08 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
11/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Academy of Music
11/12 – Stockholm, SE @ Philadelphia Church
11/14 – Berlin, DE @ Huxleys
11/15 – Copenhagen, DK @ Vega
11/17 – London, UK @ Troxy
11/18 – Paris, FR @ Elysee Montmartre
11/19 – Koln, DE @ E-Werk
11/21 – The Hague, NL @ Crossing Border
11/22 – Antwerp, BE @ Crossing Border
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At least conor took his hat off..
Damn, that solo was sexy. I need to pick this album asap. Also, who’s playing drums for them?
It’s Will Johnson from the band Centro-matic.
Thanks for the info.
Dear Will Johnson please know that this “supergroup” you are drumming for is cute, but you have more talent in Centromatic than all these hacks put together.
Amen
As a huge fan of Oberst, Mogus, and Ward (not so much MMJ), I can honestly say I couldn’t be any more bored with this project.
I’m a huge fan of everyone involved, but I assumed from the beginning that this would suck… not exactly sure why. I don’t love Say Please BUT the rest of the album is pretty sweet. Also, from the looks of the video, they’re passing those unnecessary shades around.
That was fantastic! I haven’t picked up the album yet, but now it’s a top priority.
drummer is from a dallas band… centro-matic I believe
in way more exciting news…
pee wee herman was on leno last night!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/97320/the-jay-leno-show-tue-sept-22-2009
Damn, I have such a man-crush on Jim James. I have never felt this way before. I guess I like bears. Would he be considered a bear?
he would definitely be considered a bear. the rest of the band are twinks for sure.
And Will Johnson of Centro-matic on drums!
Uh, yeah, about that will johnson…. Mr. James has more songwriting chops than Johnson, Ward & Oberst + God combined Trust me, in 20 years, you’re kids/abortions will be asking you about James,,,as in why do listen to that geezer’s music – it’s soooo lame. I like his older stuff so much better!
I’ve seen Centromatic. THey opened for MMJ 5 years ago at the Gypsy Tea room in Dallas, Tx. The first song was interesting. The following 8 were a complete bore. I’m sure they’re better now. Maybe they’ve upgraded to “yawn” status,
James is the talent. He’s as good as any of those iconic Willburys. Just wait.
And yes, i have seen the future Charlie.
Please Yim Yames or whatever that reverb loving Kiss boot wearing fool calls himself this week couldn’t right a rock song as great as Will. Willburys? all those dudes are old and dead. Keep smoking that morning jacket chode hippy
You are a moron. You wouldn’t know good music if it hit you in the face. Go take a bath and change your jeans you smelly hipster, you fucking stink.
oh boy, how to put this. you wouldn’t know a songwriter or talent if if fell on your panoramic opinion. Will Johnson is a gem and it’s enjoyable he’s having some fun and all. But his talent doesn’t pale to any of these fellows. Anyone claiming yawn status for Will Johnson or Centro-matic, no words. Wipe your nose.
Well i quite enjoyed that, and that really makes me want to go see them live 11/06 if i have money for tickets.
The album is all around pretty good i think. Some songs better than others, but most are good. I probably have a slight bias towards the Conor Oberst centered songs, since i’m a fan of his, but Jim James’ songs on the album are phenomenal, i hadn’t really had much exposure to him or MMJ but after listening to this album, i want to listen to their stuff. (Can Anyone recommend an MMJ Album?) As for M. Ward, he’s pretty good throughout too.
Best songs for me are probably : Dear God, Magic Marker, Temazcal, and Map of The World.
MMJ’s best album is Z. If you like Jim James here, you will not be disappointed.
Thanks for the info. Ill check it out.
“and his other Bright Eye Mike Mogis holds it down on electric because just listen to that guitar solo.”
that was sarcastic, right? that whammy work at the end was piss poor.
i’m not saying messy guitar in music can’t be great to listen to or play but i didn’t fall in love with Pavement because anyone was “holding it down” on their instruments…it’s was because of the overall attitude, lyrical content, and songs in their entirety. this stuff is just straight up weak…they could’ve actually benefitted from an techincally proficient guitarist there.
kcgig1:
MMJ is my favorite band, and the songs you listed there are probably my favorites from the album as well, so our tastes are probably similar.
It Still Moves is probably their most accessible album (maybe their best), so I’d start there. Good songs being Golden, Steam Engine, One Big Holiday, Run Thru…
Z is fantastic as well, sort of marked the first real bug success for them. Good songs here are Gideon, Wordless Chorus, Lay Low, Off the Record, Dondante…
Evil Urges, their newest, is a bit different from what they normally do (sometimes a little too odd – Highly Suspicious). But it is GREAT. Highlights are Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part II, I’m Amazed, Smokin from Shootin, Librarian, Thank You Too, Evil Urges)
It’s worth listening to and getting their earlier stuff as well. They started off with a very reverb-heavy, quiet, low-fi country sound. They’re a long way from those days now, but some of that music stands up to the best stuff they’re doing now.
Beyond Jim’s beautiful lyrics and these amazing songs, MMJ is, above all, a LIVE BAND. Their live performances are legendary. Watch Okonokos, their live DVD. These songs just explode live.
Wow thanks for writing such a long reply. A lot of good info for an MMJ newbie. Ill be sure to check out their early stuff as well as Evil Urges. I remember reading about the album not too long ago, and it seemed quite interesting, but i never got around to listening to it. But now after hearing Jim James with M.O.F. I really want to hear his stuff with MMJ.
If we’re talking indie supergroups, Swan Lake could eat these guys alive.
How could anyone not like that performance?
it’s not that obvious on the little youtube player but on a big hdtv jim james’ nose looks busted up and caked in makeup
Me thinks it was just a zit.
@MATT
dude, I’m the furthest thing from a hippie. Not sure why MMJ is seen as a hippie band – b/c they played bonnaroo well before any other indie/mainstream acts? Pulease. Hippies are usually in minority at the shows i’ve been too.
And James has written plenty of rock songs that i’m sure measure up to Mr. Johnson’s mid-tempo boring brown paper bag lunch of a catalog. Which further dis-credits you- Centromatic is not a rock band. They are middle of the road pop rock. There is a difference.
Do you even know what rock is? I don’t think you do, buddy.
Pick up a copy of “Redo the Stacks”. Little bit of rock there for ya Chuckles.
mmj is also my favorite band. i would recommend starting with “at dawn” it is by far my most listened to album of theirs. it is always great to put on. another good one is the “acoustic cituoca” ep. short but great.
M Ward looks like a Douche bag wearing sunglasses inside
Love that guitar solo…
That guitar solo makes up for all the douchiness…
i’d have to say my “music diet” is primarily indie rock but as with any diet, you have to have some variety,some balance, to what you consume.
some of you people, blog writers included, are just too easily impressed.
this song sounds like they all got together and attempted to make a Wilco tune…but they forgot the interesting things about a Wilco tune.
and if that guitar solo blew your mind, you seriously need to expose yourself to more music.
Wow, why is there so much hatred for each other’s favorite artists? I am no fan of Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst. His attitude is very unattractive to me. And MMJ is generally “meh” to me no matter how intense the hair banging is. I am definitely partial to M. Ward and Will Johnson though. People who are fans of Centro-Matic know that Johnson and co. absolutely bring the rock, mid-tempo pop notwithstanding. But these are opinions connected with our lives and experiences. And those guys are up there together having a good time. They respect each other and love playing music together. It’s one thing to promote your favorite artist of the group but another to bash someone else’s opinion. Honestly I enjoyed the performance overall and I thought everyone did well. It was refreshing to witness. It’s not often a group of great musicians get a chance to display their talent on national television. I think all of these guys deserve the hype. They’ve each worked for it harder and longer than most in the music industry.