My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
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Free Music Notes for Evil Urges
Free Music Review: Their evolution blows me away
Hit: 5 Stars
My Morning Jacket (MMJ) have always pushed the boundaries of their music with every album. If you listen to one of their earlier albums, such as 1999's "The Tennessee Fire," compared to even a couple albums ago on 2003's "It Still Moves" there is a noticeable difference not only in terms of the recording quality becoming higher, but the song structures and risks becoming more thoughtful and greater, respectively. MMJ's evolution is no different over the course of their last two albums: 2005's "Z" which was an universally acclaimed success with the sharpening of their composition scope and boosting of groove in the rhythm section.
With this year's "Evil Urges" they have truly created a polarizing album as evidenced by the slew of reviews either highly praising or hatefully dismissing their new work. Its direction into more polished and direct compositions spans the genres of the past few decades, such as 70's syrupy country ballads, 80's synth pop, and early 90's funk/rap (think Prince and Tone Loc). At first this hodge-podge of descriptions sound unappealing and confusing even, but all of this is mixed carefully into MMJ's already well-honed sound of 60's/70's classic southern rock and by the closing notes of "Evil Urges" they all blend together perfectly, leaving an insatiable need in your ears to check it all out again and figure out what just happened over the past 50 minutes.
Indeed, MMJ have created one of the strangest, interesting, and coolest records to have come along in quite awhile. On the matter of its impact on the world of rock music, I'm reminded of Radiohead's "OK Computer" which in 1997 helped raise the bar tenfold for song composition, musical performance and introspection; Radiohead took incredible chances with their songwriting by pushing themselves beyond their comfort-zone. This encapsulates "Evil Urges" perfectly, and even MMJ's approach to album creation: they consistently push themselves to create something fresh, daring, and unheard (even if it is on the wings of various musical aesthetics) and they have reached a special new level with their art...one which they should be extremely proud of.
To sum up "Evil Urges" in a sentence-long description: it grooves, rocks, confuses (or scares), rocks again, really confuses, rocks, rocks harder, grooves until it runs out of steam, finale. It's a thrilling ride as you listen from song-to-song and each transition seems to make sense within context. However, (as my wife, Sandi, has mentioned) take any particular song by itself from the middle portion of the record out-of-context and you might be embarrassed if anyone heard you listening to it, say while stopped at a red traffic light with your windows down...you might turn the volume down! MMJ are fully aware of the drastic new road some of their album treads down. Bassist Two Tone Tommy was quoted in Paste Magazine's July issue saying:
"Once music stops being surprising to you, or stops being weird enough and becomes obvious, then it loses its purpose. If the music doesn't have the tension-and-release or doesn't have a common thread of connectivity, then it's ultimately disposable."
"Evil Urges" is anything but disposable. The glue that binds it together is still the classic southern rockin' groove they've been known for but it's been stretched to encompass some new sounds. In the end the listener is not left disappointed but wanting another go-around to either feel again the surprising grooves around each corner of the record and/or to try and get a handle on the curve balls thrown at your ears. 2008 has yet to hear a more pioneering and fearless record or one that hits the creative and pleasure marks so closely. Forget that...this one's a bulls-eye.
Highlight tracks: 1) Evil Urges, 2) Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 1, 3) Highly Suspicious, 4) I'm Amazed, 6) Sec Walkin, 10) Aluminum Park, 12) Smokin From Shootin, 13) Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt. 2
Free Music Review: This is My Morning Jacket?!?!
Hit: 5 Stars
That was my first response while listening to this album. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and it wasn't in a good way. I hated this album. I hated the fact that the soaring vocals were replaced by something Prince-like, I hated the fact that nearly ALL the reverb on the previous records were gone, and I really hated the fact that there was barely any rock songs on this record. Minus a few tracks, I was ready to sell this cd.
Then something happened.
A friend of mine told me that him and his buddies were going to see My Morning Jacket live in Louisville at the Waterfront Park, and he invited me to go. I went to go see them, and I became a huge fan. I realized what they were aiming for. They wanted to show their fans that "Hey, we are influnced by a lot of classic rock, but we're also influenced by the music of today." To put it simply, live, the new songs rocked just as hard as the classics from It Still Moves, At Dawn, and Z, and fit the band like an old glove.
As bands get older, they have to evolve. There is no other choice. Radiohead did so with OK Computer, further destroying the ties to their britpop brothers. Same with Pink Floyd, same with Led Zeppelin, same with The Beatles, same with every great artist. One can see that evolutionary step in My Morning Jacket's live shows, in which case the songs range from psychedelic to country to funk to rock and roll. What Evil Urges is attempting to do is to bring that live eclectisism into an album, and it succeeds on every level. This is the music that an accomplished band like My Morning Jacket should be making after 10 years of the tried-and-true formula.
Right off the bat, Evil Urges is a song that will divide fans. The falsetto vocals, syncopated drums, sparkly guitars, and strange production is all there, but it's a given an alien sheen which might make old fans scratch their heads. Give it time, it really sucks you in. Touch Me Pt. 1 is another "WTF?" moment on an album chock full of those. It could pass for a Flaming Lips song were it not for the breathy vocals of Jim James.
Highly Suspicious is the biggest "HUH?" moment on the whole album. Trust me, if you're patient, it's very rewarding. What starts out as a funny Prince homage turns into a energetic rocker with an incredible lead guitar lick. See this song live, you'll change your mind about it.
I'm Amazed is a flat out rock and roll song. It's catchy and irrestiable, probably one of the best rock songs of 2008.
Thank You Too! and Sec Walkin' are the more experimental songs on the album, the former being as soulful as MMJ can get, while Sec Walkin' is definetly a country-tinged folky tune reminscient of the early days.
Two Halves brings in mind Buddy Holly, and Librarian is a weird country ode to sexy librarians, though it's a little more deep than that.
Aluminum Park and Remnants bring some much needed loudness to the set. These songs are furious live and it gives the album a good edge.
Smokin' From Shootin' is another strange number, an electronic ballad with some soaring vocals about God, life and death. Finally, Touch Me Pt. 2 is a funky disco about finding pleasure. Leave it to Jim James to add a grand dose of weirdness to everything he does. It works though, strangly enough, it works.
Evil Urges is the sound of an accomplished band. Pure and simple. It's the sound of a band determined to make some daring and strange work in the near future. Go Kentucky!
I wrote this review all by myself!
FREEBIRD
Free Music Review: "This is My Morning Jacket?!?!"
Hit: 5 Stars
That was my first response while listening to this album. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and it wasn't in a good way. I hated this album. I hated the fact that the soaring vocals were replaced by something Prince-like, I hated the fact that nearly ALL the reverb on the previous records were gone, and I really hated the fact that there was barely any rock songs on this record. Minus a few tracks, I was ready to sell this cd.
Then something happened.
A friend of mine told me that him and his buddies were going to see My Morning Jacket live in Louisville at the Waterfront Park, and he invited me to go. I went to go see them, and I became a huge fan. I realized what they were aiming for. They wanted to show their fans that "Hey, we are influnced by a lot of classic rock, but we're also influenced by the music of today." To put it simply, live, the new songs rocked just as hard as the classics from It Still Moves, At Dawn, and Z, and fit the band like an old glove.
As bands get older, they have to evolve. There is no other choice. Radiohead did so with OK Computer, further destroying the ties to their britpop brothers. Same with Pink Floyd, same with Led Zeppelin, same with The Beatles, same with every great artist. One can see that evolutionary step in My Morning Jacket's live shows, in which case the songs range from psychedelic to country to funk to rock and roll. What Evil Urges is attempting to do is to bring that live eclectisism into an album, and it succeeds on every level. This is the music that an accomplished band like My Morning Jacket should be making after 10 years of the tried-and-true formula.
Right off the bat, Evil Urges is a song that will divide fans. The falsetto vocals, syncopated drums, sparkly guitars, and strange production is all there, but it's a given an alien sheen which might make old fans scratch their heads. Give it time, it really sucks you in. Touch Me Pt. 1 is another "WTF?" moment on an album chock full of those. It could pass for a Flaming Lips song were it not for the breathy vocals of Jim James.
Highly Suspicious is the biggest "HUH?" moment on the whole album. Trust me, if you're patient, it's very rewarding. What starts out as a funny Prince homage turns into a energetic rocker with an incredible lead guitar lick. See this song live, you'll change your mind about it.
I'm Amazed is a flat out rock and roll song. It's catchy and irrestiable, probably one of the best rock songs of 2008.
Thank You Too! and Sec Walkin' are the more experimental songs on the album, the former being as soulful as MMJ can get, while Sec Walkin' is definetly a country-tinged folky tune reminscient of the early days.
Two Halves brings in mind Buddy Holly, and Librarian is a weird country ode to sexy librarians, though it's a little more deep than that.
Aluminum Park and Remnants bring some much needed loudness to the set. These songs are furious live and it gives the album a good edge.
Smokin' From Shootin' is another strange number, an electronic ballad with some soaring vocals about God, life and death. Finally, Touch Me Pt. 2 is a funky disco about finding pleasure. Leave it to Jim James to add a grand dose of weirdness to everything he does. It works though, strangly enough, it works.
Evil Urges is the sound of an accomplished band. Pure and simple. It's the sound of a band determined to make some daring and strange work in the near future. Go Kentucky!
Free Music Review: your evening coat
Hit: 5 Stars
Dylan. The Rolling Thunder Revue. I'm Not There. It was these things that brought My Morning Jacket, or rather Jim James, to my (re)attention. After hearing the name My Morning Jacket, and liking it, in 1999 I was largely non-blown away by this interestingly named band. However, upon watching "I'm Not There" and hearing Jim James (and Calexico) better Dylan's original version of "Goin' To Acupulco" in full Rolling Thunder Revue face paint I was definitely intrigued. "If the singer can nail that then surely his band must be worth another look" I remember musing whilst listening to said cover for about the tenth time in a row. As luck would have it My Morning Jacket were preparing a new album; the excellently titled "Evil Urges". If I was to start anywhere why not start at where they're at right now and work back. And so I did.
Evil Urges begins with a triplet of bizarre-yet-brilliant songs. After going from listening to the acoustic classicism of a Dylan cover to the rock and funk falsetto freakishness that is the albums opening gambit is quite a journey, albeit an enjoyable one. This opening section energizes, challenges and tempts the senses with its ambition, style and execution which, through reading fan reviews, has left some MMJ "traditionalists" scratching their heads. However, music is often a vehicle for change and if you're left asking questions like "why don't do they do it like they used to" then you should probably buy a U2 album and be happy at the dull familiarity of every song. This is MMJ with Prince-like sex appeal and a willingness to ditch the alt-country cloak that has been draped on them thus far.
The middle section does hark back to their roots with the southern rock influenced "Thank You Too", the subtle soul of "Sec Wakin'" and the beautiful "Librarian". However, these are not a step backwards rather than a band showing what they can do in the quiet moments. And what can they do? Make those moments soothing and poignant.
The album picks up a heavier pace with "Aluminum Park" before finishing on the twelve minute plus couplet of "Smokin' From Shootin'" and "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream (part 2)" which uses Jim James antiquated Omnichord to full effect.
As a "new" and fickle fan this album doesn't have a bad track on it. It begs to be played again and again in order to fully appreciate the nuance and novelty of a band who still make full albums and not just singles for iTunes.
If you, or I, needed any proof at the impact of this album then hear this: a week after getting this album I purchased MMJ's back catalogue and now have a much greater appreciation of tracks like "The Bear", "Gideon" and "I Will Be There When You Die". How many albums make you do that?
Free Music Review: If not the best, certainly the most fun of 2008
Hit: 5 Stars
This is some of MMJ's finest work. Not quite as solid start to finish as "Z", but it certainly is more ambitious. This is a breathe of fresh air in today's music scene, and certainly grounds to forgive the few times the mark is missed. Standing alone, each track is good, with several bordering on great, but the album is truly more than the sum of it's parts.
Longtime MMJ fans may be offended by this lateset offering. Songs that would fit nicely on "It Still Moves" are found between a song that would be right at home on "Z", and another that, well, is a new addition to the ever-broadening MMJ sound. This is certainly not "The Tennessee Fire". I believe most will find the the arrangement of "Evil Urges" innovative and refreshing. For those that don't... buy a Band of Horses album and enjoy.
At first listen it may sound unfocused, but multiple listens reveal the truth: You are just too focused! When you loosen up a bit you find that the true genius of this album reveals itself only when you stop trying to label what you are hearing. The album is far too complex for labels. The themes are everpresent, individual songs just bring different aspects to the front and center. Not intended for radio stations or house parties, this album is far too personal and is best suited for isolation: a dark room and headphones.
Know that all of these songs smoke live. The band played every song at an instore on the release date. Nothing short of amazing... even the so-called "dull" songs as I've heard them called were magical. Among the best was the polarizing "Highly Suspicious", of which I am a huge fan. Certainly not the tightest track musically, but certainly the most fun. Probably the high point of the performance, and perfect in the car with the volume up and the windows down.
Even if this isn't the consensus album of the year... it has certainly done its part to expand the boundaries of music as we know it. And boy, is it ever a fun album to explore. Several listens in and I still find something new to love each time.
(9.5/10)