Evil Urges

This is a great album, and with every listen, it just gets better. I can't get these songs out of my head! Versatile, with lots of different sounds.. I hear some Ween, some Beach Boys... a little bit of everything. This album has made My Morning Jacket one of my favorite bands!

I first heard of and saw My Morning Jacket in May 2006 when I went to the Pearl Jam concert and they opened/did some songs with PJ. Of course, being a huge Pearl Jam fan, I didn't think they'd be any good. WRONG! MMJ is a really, really good band. Their style has changed and almost matured over the years and this is their best album, yet. I can't wait to see what the future holds and I hope they get more exposure, not to be popular, but so that more people can experience the raw musical talents of MMJ!!!!

4 1/2 Stars: A strong effort from Kentucky's finest indie-alternative-funk-r&b-rock band. "I'm Amazed" is one of the best songs of the year.

After listening to this disc, I'm reminded of why Michael Jordan shouldn't have tried playing professional baseball. What a mistake. I wish these guys would remember that people actually BUY their music, that they spend their money after having waited 2-3 years for new stuff. And then they get this. I'm all for experimentation, for exploring new territory, but you don't have to release it to the public. Try it out onstage, put it on your website for free, but don't do this.

I have to say, almost everything about this effort reeks. This is one of those records that shocks you, but in a bad way. Jim James' vocals are as strong as ever, but there is nothing said here with any mystique. His lyrics are paper thin, the melodies are flat, and even worse this sounds like yacht rock. One thing MMJ has always had was a feeling to their jams and their sound. But this album completely shuts down that engine. I'm lost when it comes to tracks like "Highly Suspicious," because I'm accustomed to loving this band's soundscapes. "Evil Urges" has less than three worth while numbers, but even those sound like the MMJ of yesteryear. Why? Because the MMJ of today sounds like "Evil Urges" one of 2008's biggest musical failures. And so if you're looking for where the torch has been passed, check out the Fleet Foxes, or Grizzly Bear, because the decade of of good from MMJ just hit a sloppy halt. I can't believe I'm writing this review, but at the same time, I can't believe how big of a let down this album really is.

End of story, get it if you must, but be warned, many a'cringing will follow. It's a new direction, but its hard to follow.