If the Jacket fits
My
Morning Jacket’s fifth full length release Evil Urges
will definitely go down as one of the most conflictingly reviewed
records of the year. This is a direct response to Evil Urges
stylistic changes, sound and tempo. Coming off a streak of critically
hailed albums with It Still Moves [2003] and Z [2005]
singer and lead songwriter Jim James said that for this record
they wanted to move into a more experimental rock sound and release
a record that fits their live sound. Evil Urges accomplishes the
goal by mixing in a handful of different styles plus featuring
some of the other band member’s vocals.
Evil Urges kicks off the new album with higher pitched
Prince like vocals and grinding guitar in the background followed
by the pleasant and short Flaming Lips like "Touch Me I'm
Going to Scream (Part 1)" that floats along before “Highly
Suspicious” shakes things completely up with its funky beats
and P-Funk like chorus that may actually work live but is initially
very shocking to listen to. The key is that the first single “I’m
Amazed” follows which almost erases your memory of any of
the new changes because it flows along like a solid 70’s
rock hit.
Much of the rest of the album follows this 70’s
sound like a modern day Eagles or Allman Brothers Band to a more
rocking Springsteen style on “Amusement Park”. Evil
Urges is a continuation from Z in that the songs are still
contained in the three or four minute mark which keeps the pace
moving, minus the sprawling eight minute almost closing track
"Touch Me I'm Going to Scream (Part 2)". In all fairness
to MMJ, Evil Urges has real potential to be an album that grows
on you with each spin. It also should sound great live because
that is ultimately where My Morning Jacket shines.
I say let the controversy continue on Evil Urges
and we will see if it succeeds in the end by creeping into critics'
top of year lists come December.
Sam DaMatta
For more of Sam DaMatta's music reviews, check out
The Fire Note
