Really hard to keep it at 50. Such an impressive discography. This is all chronological Runner ups: I'm Too Cool For Music, Stand There Until You're Sober, Get Warmer, Even Winning Feels Bad, I'm Terrofied, This Is A Singalong, Can't Complain, 80's Through The 50's and anything on Worry
Even though it was the album that got me into BTMI, I've often viewed Get Warmer as a rather straightforward, almost inconsequential record. Listening in full for the first time in forever, it seems to be a pretty clear turning point in terms of Jeff's songwriting structure. Moving away from the chaotic nature of the first three while still maintaining the bits and pieces of experimental flourishes that make his albums so special.
Is there a general thread for Jeff? W/e I just noticed that BTMI! Campaign for a Better Next Weekend borrows some of the melody of Following Through by the Dismemberment Plan and I really enjoy the idea that Jeff was also trying to make his own "night record" the way they did by calling back to them like that. Anyway.
I’m one of those people that didn’t get into him until Worry. I even went to a show of his prior to it and just left before he went on. I was always aware of him because my younger brother was a huge BTMI fan. I think I tried to listen to Album Minus The Band and it just didn’t click. I’ve always respected the idea but just figured it wasn’t for me. I really wish I had been more into it at the time as he’s quickly become one of my favorite musicians.
About 10 years ago was when I got into BTMI and my intro was To Leave or Die in LI but soon after I fell in love with Get Warmer as his first proper great album from start to finish. I think in part, from what I understand, it's based on and written during his year of living in Athens, Georgia. Couple years ago Jeff did that Rank Your Albums and he put Vacation as his favorite, which was kind of surprising he'd list his final as the best as it just recently came out. But in retrospect I've been coming around on Vacation and kinda view that and Get Warmer as a tie for favorite.
This album is a blast. The thrilling thing about his music is never knowing which way a song might pivot. In the middle of a gnarly rock song he can pivot to sugar hooks or anthem choruses and back again on a dime.
My friend sent me he Spotify link to Post- and I liked it. Though I've been listening to BTMI non-stop alone at the office for the past 2 hours. I never even knew about this dude before now.