She & Him’s M. Ward, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, and Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis are celebrating the 15th anniversary of their supergroup, Monsters of Folk, and the release of their self-titled album with a new expanded edition featuring five previously-unreleased songs.
Monsters of Folk originally arrived in September 2009, featuring 14 collaborative songs from the group, who began performing together a few years prior. Now, the new expanded edition will include a batch of songs originally recorded during the album’s 2012 sessions, including two — “Disappeared” and “Museum Guard” — which were intended for a since-scrapped sci-fi film based on a screenplay by Oberst. As a preview, “Disappeared” is streaming in full below.
The 15th anniversary edition is due on June 14th via ATO Records, and will be on digital and vinyl formats (pre-orders are ongoing). Also featured on the album are contributions from Centro-matic’s Will Johnson. Check out the artwork and tracklist below.
“Making this album brought me back to the same feelings I had when I first started a band, or first started playing music in general,” James said in a statement. “There’s a real simplicity and excitement to playing with folks you don’t normally play with. The spirit of play is alive on this whole thing.”
Likewise, Johnson echoed James’ sentiment. “That session was very much kept in the moment,” he said. “I remember looking over at Jim playing drums on ‘Disappeared,’ joyfully bashing away, and it harbored that same exuberance of starting your first band: that moment in the garage where things take flight, and the energy and happiness just lead you onward.”
Oberst reflected on the “amazing” experience of making Monsters of Folk as well, praising James’ and Ward’s contributions. “Jim’s outside-the-box knack for soul and harmony and M’s sense of space and songcraft were so inspiring and invaluable to me then, and continue to be to this day,” he said.
Monsters of Folk Expanded Edition Artwork:
Monsters of Folk Expanded Edition Tracklist:
01. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)
02. Say Please
03. Whole Lotta Losin’
04. Temazcal
05. The Right Place
06. Baby Boomer
07. Man Named Truth
08. Goodway
09. Ahead of the Curve
10. Slow Down Jo
11. Losin Yo Head
12. Magic Marker
13. Map of the World
14. The Sandman, the Brakeman And Me
15. His Master’s Voice
16. Dear to the Assassin
17. Sweet Silence
18. The Living Thing
19. Museum Guard
20. Disappeared
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