Thoughts on a couple of releases from last week:
Jim James, Regions of God and Light and Sound of God:
Jim James (lead singer of My Morning Jacket) didn't give his solo debut a catchy title, and there's not much in the way of catchy songs. A lot of MMJ that I've listened to is dense as well, but their records tend to have some fun elements as well (Circuital's "First Light", for example). James skews towards the mellow, which is fine, but the lack of hooks or a quicker tempo make listening a little tedious.
Best track: "A New Life"
Rating: 0.25
Mumford and Sons, The Road to Red Rocks
The Road to Red Rocks is the first live release by Mumford and Sons, and the majority of the songs are from their most recent album Babel. Having seen them live, I wondered how different the songs from Sigh No More would sound, as they played them pretty much as they sounded in studio, and Mumford and company are definitely more playful with them on Red Rocks. The chorus on "Little Lion Man" seems slowed down a bit, which was a nice touch, and a louder piano on "Roll Away Your Stone" adds a little more fun. Another standout song here is a rousing "Awake My Soul", featuring some really nice harmonies. The songs from Babel haven't really grown on me yet, although they're performed entertainingly enough. Overall, Red Rocks is a nice live debut.
Best track: "Roll Away Your Stone"
Rating: 0.50.
Jim James, Regions of God and Light and Sound of God:
Jim James (lead singer of My Morning Jacket) didn't give his solo debut a catchy title, and there's not much in the way of catchy songs. A lot of MMJ that I've listened to is dense as well, but their records tend to have some fun elements as well (Circuital's "First Light", for example). James skews towards the mellow, which is fine, but the lack of hooks or a quicker tempo make listening a little tedious.
Best track: "A New Life"
Rating: 0.25
Mumford and Sons, The Road to Red Rocks
The Road to Red Rocks is the first live release by Mumford and Sons, and the majority of the songs are from their most recent album Babel. Having seen them live, I wondered how different the songs from Sigh No More would sound, as they played them pretty much as they sounded in studio, and Mumford and company are definitely more playful with them on Red Rocks. The chorus on "Little Lion Man" seems slowed down a bit, which was a nice touch, and a louder piano on "Roll Away Your Stone" adds a little more fun. Another standout song here is a rousing "Awake My Soul", featuring some really nice harmonies. The songs from Babel haven't really grown on me yet, although they're performed entertainingly enough. Overall, Red Rocks is a nice live debut.
Best track: "Roll Away Your Stone"
Rating: 0.50.
Have you given anything a 2? Or a 1.5 even? :)
ReplyDeleteI should get myself a Mumford & Sons album.
"Road to Red Rocks" is, in fact, not the first live release from Mumford & Sons. In 2011, the band released a deluxe edition of their debut album "Sigh No More" that featured a full length live album (in addition to the studio album with a bonus track) recorded at Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy!
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