Conor Oberst/Yim Yames/M. Ward/Mike Mogis : Monsters Of Folk
 Monsters of Folk is a collaboration of Conor Oberst, Jim James, M. Ward- three of this generations most critically acclaimed voices and Mike Mogis , one of the most sought after producers working today. Monsters of Folk works more like a well-oiled, cohesive "best-of" collection of each, rather than a clash of styles or a neutered effort of bland, wankish jam sessions. Made up of Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes, Mystic Valley Band), M. Ward (She & Him), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), and Mike Mogis (producer extraordinaire), Monsters of Folk's terrible title belies its eminently accessible nature. "Dear God (sincerely M.O.F.)" does start things off pretty shaky, and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was an Evil Urges outtake, and a terrible one at that. But the bad taste is quickly wiped away with the irresistible, fuzzy energy of "Say Please," where the gorgeous but clearly distinct harmonies gives the song a true group feel, a `la Crosby Stills and Nash (or, dare I say it, the Beatles).
From there on it's a veritable treasure trove of woodsy, vibrant music, a grab bag of styles notable not for their differences but by how well they mesh as one. Hear Ward and company burn it on up tempo alt-country rocker "Whole Lotta Losin;'" hear Oberst do his best Johnny Cash impression on the fingerpicked western-flavored "Man Named Truth;" best of all, hear all three of them play off each other on the restless build-up of highlight "Baby Boomer."
Some Song List: | 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 |
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