Evil Urges

Addicted to Classic Rock

My Morning Jacket's musical style was always considered as something close to Classic Rock. Any of their four albums feature that special American Folk acoustic strumming, retro driven bluesy solos, psychedelic backing vocals and a whole bunch of other traits that comprise the very basis of this mega genre. It doesn't mean that My Morning Jacket sounded identical to old bands but it was clear at once that these guys were strongly addicted to Lynyrd Skynyrd or Creedence Clearwater Revival. Of course, there is nothing wrong with it, after all imitation of idols is a pretty natural thing, but where this road can finally lead you? Finally, after three albums of psychedelically driven search the band decided to turn their hands to self-determination. Their recent record Z released in 2005 became the best album of this band and according to Metacritic was the second highest rating album of the year. The band improved everything starting from sound to lyrics to song structures. Additionally, My Morning Jacket made a huge attempt to leave the postulates of Classic Rock sound having implemented a whole mass of new elements.

Evil Urges: a quantum leap ahead

The band's new album Evil Urges doesn't really sound like My Morning Jacket. Of course, their new songs still feature those basic Classic Rock things but on the whole this record looks like a quantum leap ahead in comparison with early records. Even gorgeous Z cannot be a criterion here. As a matter of fact, both of the albums have a lot in common but Evil Urges is still head and shoulders above it. First of all, it concerns the style this record was made in. The very first track Evil Urges reveals that the band has notably broadened the range of its genre tastes by moving deeper on the territory of funk and pop music. In addition My Morning Jacket started using a lot of Art Rock elements. Touch Me I'm Going To Scream with its vast psychedelic atmosphere may serve as really great evidence. Still, these songs cannot compare with Highly Suspicious, which became the most unexpected composition of this album. It is probably not the best song here but it has all those innovations mentioned above in abundance. This is a very natural combination of funky pulse, modern indie air, high-pitched falsetto and elaborate arrangements.

My Morning Jacket try to void clichés

Then the band goes back to a more traditional path. The taste of Classic American Rock becomes more and more apparent. However, the musicians diligently try to avoid all possible standards and clichés. None of these songs can be called a typical Classic Rock example, even despite that fact that each of them carries a very familiar and comfortable atmosphere. My Morning Jacket are trying to adjust traditional music they always loved to modern reality. One of the most beautiful and touching songs of the album is Librarian – an acoustic ballad made in a completely archaic vein, which is probably impossible to find in today's music industry. Evil Urges is a many-faced album. Most of the songs really differ in their inner atmosphere. Its not about moods like sad or cheerful, it rather concerns a far deeper level, as if they were penned by different songwriters. Of course, is not that striking but it makes you think that My Morning Jacket haven't finished with their style transformation yet.