Monsters of Folk (album)

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."

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

Reception

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

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]

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.

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

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. 

External links

• Official site