Monsters of Folk
Studio album by Monsters of Folk
Released September 22, 2009
Genre Alternative Rock, Indie Folk
Length 54:37
Language English
Label Shangri-La Music, Rough Trade
Producer Mike Mogis

Monsters of Folk is the self-titled first studio album by American indie rock band Monsters of Folk, a group that consists of the artists Jim James, Conor Oberst, M. Ward, and Mike Mogis.[1] Originally slated for release in 2010,[2] the album was released through Shangri-La Music and Rough Trade on September 22, 2009. "Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)" samples Trevor Dandy's 1970 gospel song "Is There Any Love."

Contents

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)" – 5:07
  2. "Say Please" – 2:48
  3. "Whole Lotta Losin'" – 2:45
  4. "Temazcal" – 3:49
  5. "The Right Place" – 3:48
  6. "Baby Boomer" – 2:53
  7. "Man Named Truth" – 3:51
  8. "Goodway" – 2:01
  9. "Ahead of the Curve" – 3:40
  10. "Slow Down Jo" – 3:21
  11. "Losin Yo Head" – 4:37
  12. "Magic Marker" – 3:20
  13. "Map of the World" – 4:24
  14. "The Sandman, the Brakeman and Me" – 3:23
  15. "His Master's Voice" – 4:50

[edit] Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 3.5/5 stars link
Drowned in Sound 7/10 link
The Guardian 4/5 stars link
Mojo 4/5 stars #191, p.99
The Observer 4/5 stars link
Pitchfork Media 6.5/10 link
Q 4/5 stars[citation needed]
Rolling Stone 4/5 stars link
Sputnik Music 4.5/5 stars link
The Times 4/5 stars link

[edit] Critical

Monsters of Folk was well received by critics. Music magazines Q, Mojo, and Rolling Stone each awarded the record four out of five stars. Lucas Schott of "The Tide" ranked "Monsters of Folk" the number 1 album of 2009. British newspapers The Guardian and The Times also gave the record a four out of five rating, the latter stating "this supergroup really is super." [3] USA Today called the album a "harmonious and occasionally electrified blend of folk-rock, country and white soul."[4] People magazine, however, gave the album two-and-a-half out of four stars, saying "There's so much talent in this supergroup-M. Ward, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, and Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis-that you kind of expect more from them." It added, "Still, dreamy tunes like the soulful "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)" will help tame the beast within.[5]

[edit] Commercial

Monsters of Folk debuted and peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200, along with also charting in the Top 10 of the five other Billboard charts.

[edit] Chart performance

Chart (2009) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[6] 15
US Billboard Top Alternative Albums[7] 6
US Billboard Folk Albums[8] 3
US Billboard Top Heatseekers[9] 1
US Billboard Independent Albums[10] 3
US Billboard Top Rock Albums[11] 8

[edit] References

  1. ^ Josh Modell (2009-06-11). "Oberst / Jim James / M. Ward record officially announced". A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/oberst-jim-james-m-ward-record-officially-announce,29148/. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
  2. ^ Scaggs, Austin (January 22, 2009), "Smoking Section". Rolling Stone. (1070):26
  3. ^ Edwards, Mark (September 20, 2009). "Monsters of Folk Monsters of Folk". The Times (London). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6837359.ece. Retrieved May 13, 2010. 
  4. ^ Steve Jones, Edna Gundersen, Jerry Shriver, Brian Mansfield, Elysa Gardner (September 18, 2009), "Get ready for a coming sonic boom". USA Today
  5. ^ Arnold, Chuck (October 12, 2009), "Monsters of Folk". People. 72 (15):46
  6. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 
  7. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Alternative Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903?f=794&g=Albums. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 
  8. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Folk Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903?f=1071&g=Albums. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 
  9. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903?f=324&g=Albums. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 
  10. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903?f=326&g=Albums. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 
  11. ^ "Monsters of Folk Album & Song Chart History - Rock Albums". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monsters-of-folk/chart-history/1118903?f=408&g=Albums. Retrieved March 12, 2011. 

[edit] External links

Bright Eyes
Studio albums
Other albums
Singles and EPs
Conor Oberst solo
Related articles
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Studio albums
Conor Oberst (as Conor Oberst) · Outer South
EPs
Gentleman's Pact (as Conor Oberst)
Films
Related articles
M. Ward
Studio albums
EPs
Scene from #12 (I Ain't Sleeping) · To Go Home
Compilation albums
Associated acts
My Morning Jacket
Jim James • Tom Blankenship • Patrick Hallahan • Carl Broemel • Bo Koster •
Danny Cash • J. Glenn • Chris Guetig • Johnny Quaid
Studio albums
The Tennessee Fire (1999) • At Dawn (2001) • It Still Moves (2003) • Z (2005) • Evil Urges (2008) • Circuital (2011)
Live albums
Compilations
Singles and EPs
"Heartbreakin' Man" • "I'm Amazed" • "My Morning Jacket Does Bad Jazz" • "My Morning Jacket Does Xmas Fiasco Style" • "My Morning Jacket Does Gold Hole" • Split EP • "Chocolate and Ice" • "Sweatbees" • "Run Thru" • "Acoustic Citsuoca" • "Off the Record"
Related articles

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