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Album Details

• Artist: My Morning Jacket
• Album: Evil Urges
• Label: ATO
• Year of Release: 2008
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2008-05-16

Probably counted as one of the most anticipated albums this year, My Morning Jacket unleashes Evil Urges and just as suspected they've changed things up a bit. There is more in common with Beck on this album than the country tinged rock that Z and It Still Moves. Sure, there are many parts where the roots side of things leak through but you can tell that Jim James and his cohorts are up to new things on this album.

The album starts off with the title track and first single. Beginning with a wonderfully simple drum pattern and a nicely arranged guitar, at about 45 seconds Jim's vocals enter with a surprising high falsetto that keeps up through the entire song. This track is a great indicator for the rest of Evil Urges. Next up is "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt 1", again the drums seemingly leading the way high in the mix. The vocals are almost ethereal on this one. Some interesting effects are being used. Then you could swear Prince enters the studio on "Highly Suspicious", with another falsetto ladened track. The chorus is a bit of a surprise but it really adds making this one of the coolest tracks. And if you heard this song out of context, you would have no idea it was My Morning Jacket at all! Then on the fourth track, "I'm Amazed" we are presented with the first track you would easily associate with My Morning Jacket. This song has a fun Southern Rock feel to it. This follows through on "Thank You Too", but a lot gentler with Jim's trademark clean guitar sound. "Sec Walkin" sounds like something James Taylor may have penned. It has that timeless classic quality. Just begging to be played live is "Two Halves". I didn't care for the quiet "Librarian" but not enough that I would skip it. I had the same feelings on "Look At You". Back to the rock on "Aluminum Park", another one of my faves with a very cool, simple riff leading you through. "Remnants" really rocks out as well. The best slow track on the album is easily "Smokin' From Shootin'" with a wonderful story line to it. "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt 2" feels almost like a disco track. A nice way to finish off the album.

Evil Urges may not be the logical next step for MMJ but James is toying around with new ideas and it tends to work, for the most part. The best thing is that he hasn't totally abandoned all of the things we've come to love. That will probably happen on the next album.

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