My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges

If you wanted to know in 30 seconds what my opinion is of this record, I’d say first that it may take you 3-4 listens all the way through before you become relatively consistent as to your feelings regard this record. It did for me. I was inclined to dismiss it a bit at first but also later surprised at how much I appreciated it afterward. MMJ appears to be good at rockin’ the hooks as well as throwing out the jams. This album is a good reminder.

For those of you who like to argue about the details. Here are my first and second thoughts on each of the tracks.

Evil Urges: It is worth noting that the first song of the famed eponymous album displays a great deal of what this album turns out to be. It is dynamic in many ways. Some of you may also think this album parallels how music changed from the beginning of the eighties until the end too. This first track is good and does well to get you ready for a variety of emotions and escalations.

Touch Me I’m Going To Scream Pt. 1: Bee gees. Cool drums. Good bass. Good production. Good song.

High Suspicious: Larry David on the chorus. If you like dance music and Seinfeld. Congrats. Set up camp here. I too was highly suspicious. And yes, I had to write that. But after a few home made tequila cocktails I have to admit there are people out there looking for this kind of rockin. Dance rockin’ really. If it makes everyone smile you give it a pass I guess. This song may be a make or break for a lot of the MMJ die-hard’s.

I’m Amazed: This song especially typifies a My Morning Jacket song. This is what they are paid to do I think. I’m not saying it’s the best or even the middle-est’ song they have ever written or even on this record. I’m just saying that this song exemplifies many of the good things MMJ brings to the table: catchy vocals, tight rhythm, & interesting guitar. Said another way, it would be as if someone asked if you liked the Black Crowes while you were both listening to “Jealous Again” over the house speakers. If you say yes, you’re a Crowes’ fan. If you say no, you are not. “Jealous Again” displays the real fun in that band and the same can be said of this new MMJ track. If you like “I’m Amazed”, you’re a MMJ fan. If you do not, you are probably not.

Thank you Too!: Damn it. Everything I said for the last song is the same for this song. In fact, I think this one is better than the last one. It’s nice when you keep hearing songs that remind you of your favorite songs. And this one is sort of stock like “I’m Amazed” in some ways. But better executed. And that is not to say these songs are similar or equivalent. Although there is a nice strand that resonates and directs the entire album and it passes the baton between these last few tracks nicely I think.

Sec Walkin: Country. Solid. Good. “Left leg, right leg. One leg at a time. I keep on walkin. I keep on walkin’.” “Red light, green light. The first light I see tonight I’m walkin. Yeah I’m walkin’.”

Two Halves: A couple of times you think its “Grease” tryouts. And most of the time that’s good. But when it misses even a lil’ it can sting a bit. I might be wrong, but Chris Isaac’ may have also entered the building. That’s life.

Librarian: This song reminds me that this band is good at telling stories. “When god gave us mirrors, he had no idea”. You might think of some of the Radiohead stuff here if you took out the vocals. Coupled with slide guitar it’s easy for this song to get you in the mood for something. What for though? “Simple inner beauty. Heaven on your breathe.” Simplest of pleasures. The world at it’s best.”

Look At You: Running up the middle, staying in the pocket, and making quick passes. Execution. Good. Efficient. Eric Clapton is proud. Everyone is happy. “Glory”. “Let me follow you.” Everyone wins.

Aluminum Park: No need to wax poetic or fight with friends. This track had a bad verse and a great chorus. Someone let it slide because they got caught up in the Bruce moment. Or maybe the Dinosaur Jr moment at the end. I can’t blame anyone either way. It does battle. But still, it should have been an upper tier b-side. Oh well. I might be totally wrong. Sometimes the chorus trumps everything else. And sometimes I’m a jackass. Ok, let’s be serious. This is a good b-side.

Remnants: Big 80’s guitar. Some of it big 80’s guitar. Is it good? Is is vital? Good question. You may have to ask yourself if the late 80’s were vital? Interesting. Is this MMJ album turning into an 80’s road map? Was there an official Prince hand off to Slash on this song? Or was it Prince to the lower end STP? Who knows?

Smokin From Shootin: Long & slow. Sort of boring. “Do you live your life on the road?” “Asking for nothing, running from something that isn’t there?” Typical, almost cliché. The basic, slow building catchy song that is very fun to play and always peaks high. Nothing new here. But no one is complaing either. Ultimately good.

Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2: Keyboard. Bass line. Dance music. Good.

Good Intentions: 0:05 seconds.

Amazon Item: 

Evil Urges