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So I have never really gotten into either of these bands, but they both sound like my style of music and I think I would really like them. Just wondering where I should start out. I work in a record store, so I can order just about anything but that ends up being more of a hinderance than a help when bands have a large cannon and you have no idea where to start. Any suggestions? Should I start with live stuff or studio albums?
Not too sure about WSP but for MMJ I would definitely check out Okonos. Its a two disc live album that is very very good and gives you a good idea of what the band will be like live. If you enjoy that then pick up all of their studio albums and listen to them in the order of release so you can get an idea of how the band has evolved since their Begening.
For me, they are both live bands, so I'd start with Light Fuse, Get Away for Widespread Panic and Okonokos for My Morning Jacket.
After that go studio and get Til the Medicine Takes and the self-Titled Widespread Panic.
MMJ grab Z and It Still Moves.
You'll be on your way to indoctrination.
This. With MMJ, though, I would definitely go through At Dawn after Okonokos and then Z and It Still Moves. I personally love Evil Urges, but I know that's a seesaw opinion.
I'm a huge MMJ fan, and I have to concur on Okonokos. You can get it in double CD format. There's also a DVD. As for straight studio albums, Z is a great starting point. It's kind of the middle ground between where they started, musically, and where they are at now.
For MMJ, I'd probably begin with Okonokos and then go up to the downloads folder and find a copy of their Bonnaroo 2008 show. Sound quality is as good as you can expect from an audience recording and you can definitely feel how special that show was.
my morning jacket and widespread panic are my two favorite bands.
mmj=stuff before "it still moves" is more raw and much more based on jim james' vocals, everything since is easier to get into and is geared towards a larger audience. Go with Okonokos
panic=best live band alongside my morning jacket imo. lots of good people in the fanbase. everything is good except free somehow, listen to Everyday if you like harder stuff, and Space Wrangler if you want to hear classic panic.
I've mostly gotta disagree with the consenus here. While okonoks is a great live album, I think its definitely easier to get into the studio stuff....and while I think Z is their best album, Id recommend starting out with Evil Urges, as its definitely their most accessible.
At Dawn is not only MMJ's best release, it's one of the best albums of all time.
As for Panic, I agree that Light Fuse... is a great starting point, but the first Classic City release will get the job done just as well. While they're totally capable and have created some serious gems, I can't say I've ever gotten REALLY into any of their studio work.
Basically there is only one thing you need to see/hear to understand why My Morning Jacket is going to kick so much ass at Bonnaroo this year.
That is by far, my best single concert moment of all time. The rain, the song, the energy, the crowd, and Kirk Hammett just decided to come out for a little to add to the awesomeness. I don't think anything will top this for me personally. It's my number one Bonnaroo memory.
I just got self-titled Panic and Light Fuse.. they are AWESOME! Thanks for the suggestions guys. And I agree with jmk, Evil Urges isn't a good place to start for MMJ, I'd say start with older stuff and work towards the newer stuff.
I definately think both bands are better live so go with a live recording. I'm more of a WSP guy, so let me give you one quick tip. You probably won't like them until you see them live anyway (thats how I was before my first Bonnaroo and i've seen them 14 times since). Go to their live download website and buy some of their cover songs. They range from Stir It Up (bob marley) to Enter Sandman (metallica), which is why they are so awesome. Once you hear them jam to songs you are familar with, you can expand to their catalog. Also, no one has mentioned this yet so I will. They have had a new lead guitar player since 2007 (Jimmy Herring, who is a guitar god). So I would stick with stuff post '07, because thats what you'll hear. Most people have mentioned albums that feature the original guitarist (Michael Houser) who died. Unfortunately, we will never get to hear that band again.
I have to admit I hadn't heard of MMJ before December 2006. We got our friend the Okonos DVD as a gift b.c he's a guitarist and we heard MMJ's guitarist was silly good. Friend didn't like MMJ but I was HOOKED.
I really think the DVD helped because it put the music into perspective and really helped me "get" their music. Now MMJ is my favorite band of all time. They really helped me get out of my popular radio/typical college music rut. I hoever didn't apprecieate The Tennessee Fire until I really knew their music and saw them live a couple times. Z and It Still Moves are the most easily accepted/enjoyed albums IMO and great gateway albums to the rest of their discography.
I am thankful for this thread because I have yet to "get" WSP and everyone else I know likes them.
Here's a good taste of what you can expect from Panic. Get Light Fuse, Get Away then move to Live in the Classic City. Some big songs include Pilgrims, Rebirtha, Conrad, Porch Song and Space Wrangler.
for the jacket start with okonokos or their bonnaroo 2008 set.
^^this.
It Still Moves and At Dawn are their best studio albums. Evil Urges is probably their most accessible. The Tennessee Fire is great, but a lot different than what you're probably going to hear at Roo. I think Z is good, but pretty overrated.
Last Edit: Feb 7, 2011 23:42:34 GMT -5 by jack324 - Back to Top
Post by omgitsbonnaroo on Feb 8, 2011 13:02:49 GMT -5
MMJ - Okonokos for sure.
I will say I think anything from At Dawn on is great from MMJ and I think Evil Urges is one of the most underrated albums of all time...for me, it's a classic.
