Upon the release of their newest track “Big Decisions,” a slew of headlining dates announced at just about every major American festival, and the promise that The Waterfall (out on ATO/Capital Records on May 4th) is just the first of two new releases within the next year, we thought it was a perfect time to introduce—or reintroduce—you to an acclaimed rock band from Lousiville, Kentucky. Meet My Morning Jacket; a band that has undeniably become one of America’s most beloved post-millennial rock acts.
Recently, I’ve had a few of friends asking, “Why is My Morning Jacket headlining Boston Calling?” And I’ve gasped at remarks of “I never really got into them,” which in my world, translates to “I’ve never heard anything by them.” So, this is a guide to combat the absurdness of a band some consider bonafide rock stars and others couldn’t pick out of a festival line-up. It’s a quick run-down on what made me fall in love with this band, and what leaves me eagerly waiting to see what they’ll do next.
First off, My Morning Jacket has always been evolving band. Listening to just one song and writing them off as “not for you” is an injustice—but hey, I realize that happens. If you’re one of those that has done just that, it’s most likely because the defining feature of any My Morning Jacket song is the vocal presence, lyricism and star power of their charismatic front-man; Jim James, sometimes known as Yim Yames—which I think he did just for fun for a short time.
His lyrics can be gut-wrenching, poignant, big-picture observations of the world, or sometimes just silly and fun. His reverberating vocal abilities were honed in the echoes of the silo where the band first practiced and recorded. And even though there might be some chorus effects used for enhancement, his voice can resonate a sense of other worldly wonder and fulfillment that defines the band’s sound in any room on any given night or song they play.
Example number one is “Wordless Chorus;” which is many a fan’s first taste of MMJ. Its the first track from their break out double-live album, Okonokos, which helped introduce the band to larger audiences and graduated them from mid-level clubs and theaters to arenas and festival headliners. I remember coming across this record in the newly releases bin at my college radio station and seeing the previous notes from a colleague who wrote, “My Morning Jacket, more like my favorite band.” Long story short, I ended up stealing it from the station, and My Morning Jacket did indeed become one of my favorite bands. I still have the same copy to this day, although it looks like someone went ice skating on it. “Wordless Chorus” culminates as the title suggests without a chorus, but instead with a series of off key yelps from James that you’ll either love or find un-listenable. It’s similar to the way Elton John belts out the ending lines of “Bennie and the Jets”— only without words at all.
Still with me? Great, lets peal back another layer. A charismatic, furry booted front-man like James is certainly a big part of the puzzle, but the overall talent of MMJ—especially in the live setting—is what really shows off their capabilities as a full on rock band. In keeping with the magic that was Okonokos, check out “Dondante,” a track originally recorded on 2005’s Z. The track shimmers with the full jam mentality that helped them get slotted at festival gigs during the early days of Bonnaroo. “Dondante” also highlights the multi-instrumental skills of Carl Broemel, who switches from heavy minor key guitar riffage to melodic saxophone without skipping a beat.
At this point, old fans might be questioning why I haven’t mentioned the alt-country roots that make up 2003’s breakout It Still Moves or 2005’s Z. The truth is in the live setting the alt-country influence isn’t as accentuated and their performances take on so much energy that they end up with more of straight rock, or even southern rock branding rather than the pedal steel twang that made up their early albums. Also the greatest moments from both of those early lo-fi releases are on Okonokos and they’re just straight up better versions than what appeared on those early recordings. That’s not to say you wouldn’t enjoy those records, but if you’re new to the game, jump right in with Okonokos and be blown away.
You’ll love this if: You’re into live jammy classic rock with a little twang, a taste of heavy metal drums and gospel-esque vocals
Favorite Tracks: “It Beats 4 U,” “Dondante,” “Wordless Chorus,” “Gideon,” “One Big Holiday”
It’s pretty rare that the majority of a band’s fan-base discovers them from a live record, but once you start digging deeper into My Morning Jacket’s live catalogue, there’s more golden nuggets to be found. In 2004 they released Acoustic Citsuoca, a 5 song EP highlighting what they can do in a stripped-down acoustic setting. “Golden,” a beautiful open-chord tapestry of road weary lyricism will melt your heart, especially if looked at in the retrospect of a band still trying to “make it.” Not only does Acoustic Citsuoca show a different side of My Morning Jacket, it opens them up to a new audience. Since it’s release, these songs have became staples of James’ solo sets between MMJ tours and helped solidify his place as a perennial collaborating curator of the historic Newport Folk Festival.
You’ll love this if: You dig rock bands that can strip down their electric sets to a blissful rootsy, Americana acoustic set.
Favorite Tracks: “Bermuda Highway,” “The Bear,” “Golden”
Evil Urges (2008) and Circuital (2011)
Just when you thought you were getting to know the band as a straightforward rock, folk, alt-country act, they threw us a curve ball with 2008’s Evil Urges. Without leaving the pedal steel and twang behind, the album’s title track works in electronic influences mixed in with James’ by now patented falsettos. There’s some serious experimentation with this record, along with some big hits and misses. “I’m Amazed” carried Evil Urges commercially, and might be the closest thing next to “Off the Record” as to what could be called a palatable hit. At the same time, making it through tracks like “Highly Suspicious” and “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream” is almost painful. Thankfully, there are some epic hidden gems, like the balladry of “Smoking from Shooting” and a full on eight minute disco dance track reprisal called “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream, Part II.”
2011’s Circuital followed with similar formula in the band’s quest to never be pigeonholed. It picks up where Evil Urges left off. “Holding on to Black Metal” plays out like a comic book anthem of “Bangs!” and “Pows!” and “Outta My System” is a confessional therapy session that shows off the authenticity and maturity of James’ writing. The record overall is less experimental than its predecessor but attempts to incorporate all of what the band does great both live and in the studio. With the record’s genre hopping capabilities in folk, rock, country and electronic—it’s a bold and under appreciated album.
You’ll Like this if: you’re into rock bands that know just the right amount of production, but stick to their roots to stray from “overproduction.”
Favorite Tracks: (Evil Urges 2008) “Evil Urges,” “I’m Amazed,” “Smokin from Shootin,” “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Part II” (Circuital 2011) “Circuital,” “First Light”
After adding up the massive greatness of their material, it seems MMJ is poised to continue an illustrious career. One undeniable, yet-to-be-mentioned factor is the band’s work to showcase and celebrate some of their favorite up and coming acts. Both Band of Horses and Dr. Dog give full on love and credit to their success to their push from James’ and Co. In addition they’ve been able to put together their own destination festival in Mexico aptly named “One Big Holiday” to that brings all many of their a.
James’ side projects and collaborations have also helped the band stay relevant in dormant periods in between releases. In addition to a stellar solo record from James penned Regions of Light and Sound of God in 2013, last year’s tribute collaboration between Alabama’s Shakes front woman, Britney Howard, and Tune Yards’ Merrill Garbus highlighted the life and music of African protest musician Fela Kuti on Red Hot Fela by creating an epic funk-world jam. As great as that was I’m still not sure if it stacks up the master collaboration between My Morning Jacket and Erykah Badu in 2011 when they polished off an early recording called “Tyrone,” that actually has lyrics referencing the artsy R&B vocalist.
In 2009 James got his first taste of being in a super group as he and an impressive list of contemporaries gathered to form Monsters of Folk. It consisted of Bright Eye’s Conor Oberst along with his drummer Mike Mogis, and She and Him’s M. Ward (although M. Ward’s solo work is probably more impressive). The record has all the members taking turns on different songs and instrumental parts but also sees them exchanging verses within songs and sharing harmonies. The lush harp and staccato drum machine beats in “Dear God” is worth checking out. In a way it may have paved the way for last years even more impressive super group The New Basement Tapes. This time Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith, Mumford and Son’s Marc Mumford, Carolina Chocolate Drops’ Rhiannon Giddens and living legend Elvis Costello came together to tackle unreleased Bob Dylan lyrics. James’ track “Nothing to it” clearly shined the brightest and culminates with his now signature fuzzed out guitar solos.
Side Projects and Collaborations: Regions of Light and Sound of God, 2013, Monsters of Folk 2009, New Basement Tapes 2014,
Final Advice: You’re bound to end up seeing My Morning Jacket somewhere this summer and when you do they’re going to have a bunch of new songs that aren’t on here and are probably going to be pretty different than anything they’ve done before. That’s just how they roll. Either way they have the all necessary characteristics to keep being a beacon of hope in our tumultuous age of rock n’ roll. I hope this guide shows the dynamism, authenticity, and most of all the talent of what is undeniably one of the greatest bands of this generation. But that’s “Off the Record.”