It is a Herculean task to rank MMJ's albums. While I am biased--probably my favorite contemporary band--this list is particularly difficult because of the varied catalogue, and often one's musical pallet will create a very subjective list.
I think this a certainly a good journalistic chart of MMJ albums chronicling the shape of their careers. However, if I can be subjective I would chart them as such:
1.) "It Still Moves" (most haunting album that I've experienced, their's some america magic in here, like singing up at the Hoover dam)
1.5) "At Dawn" (the most monstrous and terrifying album, an eery night in Appalachia)
3.) "Z" (the most accessible and perfect MMJ album, nearly too perfect but amazing no less)
4.) "The Tennessee Fire" (young jim james learning to perfect the art, with his most soulful songs)
5.) "Evil Urges" (so ambitious and fun to a fault, but never going to blame a band for that)
6.) "Circuital" (a safe attempt by the band w/o a punch to end the album, better as an album than live (exception for first 2 tracks)
I'm coming to a similar point. It's certainly not a perfect album, but it amazing. I say no to an A+ because of "Dream Captain" and "Blue Agent" kill the flow of the album. But before those two tracks each half holds its own so well its wonderful
Futurebirds made a alt-country rock classic. Glad this one got a footnote at least.
If anyone likes Mick Taylor-era Rolling Stones, My Morning Jacket, or Drive-By Truckers then please grab a copy of "Baba Yaga". It really is marvelous.
This get's the nod of course. WOAPD has the unique balance of immediate hook and slow burn that great albums have. It's damn long too.
That being said DAWES. Dawes gets zero write-up on any music websites! Seriously, what makes them so taboo or unpublishable? They have to be one of the most talented bands, musician for musician. There new album is ambitious and solid. They deserve at least a fuckin blurb at the bottom over a Neon Indian fucking remix ep, come on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWY5RQSA6s
As someone born after The Smiths were big, and one who disregards much of the 80s, I'm so sick of Morrissey. It's like your dad ranting about politics, shut up dude. Being on the fringes of relativity and constantly being on the soapbox is maddening. Musicians talking about politics in general is a pain in the ass.
I gave you a thumbs up on the basis of most of your argument. However, Father John Misty is one that will live on. Rock n Roll is not "adult contemporary crap", Fear Fun will be one of those albums that lives on beyond its years.
I suppose my issue with Macklemore is the "hey there I'm flying up above you" attitude we put on a lot of artists. And it does come off as corny. The "im irish" song is ridiculous, some white dude treating Ireland like it's the motherland, who's not even from the Bronx or Boston (SEATTLE!) and rapping with the belief that he is continuing Ireland's great literary tradition. It's completely bonkers, and trite.
does anybody know if a kid from NYU can write? I've been abroad on an NYU program and have failed to see one capable of prose thus far. But maybe I'll meet a Donald Glover and ride on his coattails.
Absolutely should be the band all the time. Wish they kept the 50 y/o drummer that was in the kcrw sessions.
Also the guitarists tone is unreal, that's gotta be a b-bender right?
Although Jim James has a tendency of saying the same thing in interviews, like a lot of musicians, I will always comb these for what he's listening to. This T.L. Barrett album is awesome.
-Clouds Taste Metallic is certainly the best..
-Very surprised it was number 1 though just because of the hype and reverence people attribute to Soft Bulletin and Yoshimi..
-Embryonic is garbage and should be in the 15-11 range..but then again the Lips have made plenty of garbage in their day making me realize this was a pretty difficult list to curate.
Great List, Awesome Job!
If only Left-Eye was still around RIP. TLC would take this game to the next level of waavy.
Although they don't have Beyonce's star power, TLC has the depth.
Like the Giants willing the World Series, no stars but so deep.
that riff is nice but when
--its an album this short
--girls music can be criticized for being repetitive
it just doesnt work. are there good tracks here? certainly, I think 'everywhere you knew' is great and will be.
But if Christopher Owens wants to stay in the conversation he's gotta step it up next time around
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