Huge MM fan here. Granted over the years it took the shit releases (GAOG, EMDM) for me to realize that I'm really a huge Jeordie White fan. I really dig Portrait for what it was musically, but still don't really connect with MM as a vocalist on that cd.
It's when Jeordie (Twiggy) joined and they made SLC that I really got into them. He definitely is the musical director of the band, and when he left the band it only became more obvious. I was beyond excited when I heard he returned, and really dig the new album for what it is. Sure it's not a return to The Tryptich (ACSS - MA - HW), but the music on this is far superior in every way to the last two albums. It really just sounds like they just got in and hashed out a bunch of songs for the pure love of making music together, so hopefully the next album shows more focus and mutual contributions to all aspects of the music.
If you haven't already - check out Goon Moon (Jeordie's band w/ Chris Goss). Their album Lickers Last Leg is one of the better albums I've heard in the last few years. Really good stuff, and JW really shows off some excellent song writing and vocal abilities. Really glad he's playing guitar and doing additional vocals live w/ MM. I'd like to really see them embrace that in their next album.
You are not alone.
