Spring Break
Indie rock takes a daring turn
My Morning Jacket give into their Evil Urges
Erin Edwards
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Features
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Three years after their ambitious sophomore album Z, My Morning Jacket steps it up even further. While it would have been easy for the band to create a safe album, holding over loyal fans and maybe securing a few new ones, they tried something new. In a recent interview with MSNBC singer Jim James said that the band not only wanted to test out a new sound, but also wanted to make it as seamless as possible, jumping the bridge created from Z that straddled between older beats and newer sounds.
It's hard to imagine such a sound coming from bearded men who are comparable to the likes of Neil Young, but as many bands are trying new sounds, it was time for something different. Just as Panic at the Disco channeled the Beatles in their latest album, Pretty Odd, My Morning Jacket does the same in Evil Urges, but with a slew of influences spanning back almost three decades.
The album starts off well enough, with the title track serving as a clear contradiction of past albums. In fact, the first four tracks reiterate this idea. While the origin of why the experimental route was chosen may be in question, there is no doubt that the band stretched their imagination to the outermost limits, but kept their feet firmly planted in their indie rock roots. "I'm Amazed" and "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 1" continue the flow of innovative experimentation, indulging the listener in soothing yet intense ear candy.
"Highly Suspicious" is the album's most bold attempt to revive the retro pop punk genre of the '80s. With heavy beats, falsetto vocals and lyrics with unsure meaning, listeners are sure to be scratching their heads, but tap their feet at the same time. As the standout song, the listener can only anticipate as to how the live version would make out.
Evil Urges then takes a sharp turn, almost coming to a screeching halt as it settles into a familiar progressive rock that resembles past albums. Middle tracks such as "Two Halves" help to even out the album, creating the cross bridge between experimental rock and old school My Morning Jacket that encompasses all 14 tracks. "Librarian" could be considered a reject from the Forrest Gump soundtrack, with characteristics of a sound made famous by the Mamas and Papas.
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