I don't know how to link to a podcast here, but I just heard an awesome MMJ one: Life of the Record with Dan Nordheim, from January 22, 2026. It's a deep dive on Z with Jim James, talking about the album overall and going track by track. I only got halfway thru on my commute, but they legitimately had me tearing up in the car driving to work when Jim was describing how "What A Wonderful Man" is about his close friend who committed suicide around that time. Honestly, it's a fantastic listen so far about one of my favorite albums of all time, and Jim is such a positive personality to spend time with.
Listening now. Wow. Had no idea Andrew Bird is on Z until now and I’ve lived his stuff for nearly as long as I’ve been a fan of MMJ.
I can't believe you didn't recognize his whistle! No, I'm kidding - I remember reading around that time that he was on the album somewhere, but I couldn't have told you where
So fitting that I’m listening to this now because I’d normally be spinning Andrew Bird since he’s one of my favorite things to listen to on Sundays.
I finished the episode on my drive in this morning. I knew Jim James struggled with his mental health over the years, but it was extremely sobering to hear him candidly discuss how the album was named Z partially out of a sense of finality, because he wasn't sure if the band was going to continue or if he was still going to be alive because he was so depressed and considering ending his life. Some of the discussion really hit home very hard, but it I think it was very positive and uplifting overall. Super fun and interesting episode on an amazing album. The "Into The Woods" discussion was mercifully brief. I had half a thought that maybe some nugget or insight would change my mind on that song, but no luck.
The one big holiday lineup for 2027 is unreal. It’s like they scrubbed my listening history and put it on a show poster.
I take shit for this being my go-to argument, but "It Will Work Out" was a fantastic song and would've fit great on Uniform Distortion and kicked the whole thing up a notch the other b-side was pretty good too but it wasn't quite as substantial
I'll have to check that one out. I didn't know it existed until now because I never listened to Uniform Clarity. Sadly, I can't really take Jim solo on acoustic for too long.
I can't remember what edition they were from, but there are two full-band b-sides / bonus tracks: "It Will Work Out" & "Flash In The Pan"
it usually takes me a little (or a long) while to warm up to Jim James' solo music, but I loved this song immediately such an earworm, and very chill as was already pointed out. can't wait to hear the whole album.