Evil Urges [Vinyl]

My Morning Jacket | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (July 22, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rough Trade Us
• ASIN: B0017V8QGQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (111 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,230 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern Rock With Soul, June 28, 2008

By 

C. A. Baker (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Evil Urges (Audio CD)

"Evil Urges" has polarized fans in their opinions about the stylistic changes MMJ has undergone since they creeped into the consciousness of the indie rock world. It is a record that is very different from the brand of Americana roots rock that they produced with their first three records. When they released "Z" in 2005, it was a stylistic departure that was surprising at first, but was largely accepted by their fans as a modern classic and a willingness to experiment akin to Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". Much of the criticism about "Evil Urges" has been directed towards what some fans perceive to be a more extreme departure from their earlier sounds than attempted with "Z" on some songs, but also a sense of playing it too safe with more traditional material on other songs. The point seems to be that "Evil Urges" is significantly less consistent than "Z" which I disagree with.

"Z" and "Evil Urges" have a very similar sequence. Both records start with falsetto infused modern rock and arty pop. Both records have a middle section comprised of more straightforward guitar driven rock and some rootsy material. And both have ending pieces that have a similar level of dramatic tension, although different in style.

That's not to say that "Evil Urges" is a copy of "Z". Its range of styles is more extreme which can come across as a band unclear in its direction but there are two themes that run through the disc that bring it all together. The first is its roots in R&B sounds both modern and classic. The ringing guitar sounds and thumping bass of the title track and both parts of "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream" plus the 70's AM radio soul of "Thank You Too!", "Sec Walkin" and "Look At You" are evidence of the band's passion for R&B that make this record so distinctive. This is accomplished while also retaining elements of the band's trademark southern sound, with splashes of slide guitar, electric piano, and Jim James' trademark southern drawl. The record does have one jump-the-shark moment with "Highly Suspicious", but it's a relatively minor offense that the skip button won't cure as the mood strikes you.

The songs on "Evil Urges" are tied together by a lyrical theme throughout the record dealing with conflicts in faith and morality. The title cut addresses the moral judgements placed on freedom of sexuality. "I'm Amazed" addresses "the lack of faith", "the love we rejecting" and "what we accept in its place". "Sec Walkin" is an image of an individual walking through life looking for someone with compassion but finding "demon eyes watching" and wondering "brother - don't you care?" The acoustic "Librarian" uses the title subject as a metaphor to address the superficiality of our culture in the values that we place on physical beauty and instant gratification. The hard rocking "Remnants" imagines "a new 'heaven' formed in the bleeding light of dusk -- all souls, all faiths, always - we are one". And "Smokin From Shootin" wonders "what is life in god, a perfect vision of the self?" and states that "faith can't prove what science won't resolve" when a relationship has been changed by their lover's newfound faith. These lyrical themes make the record much more cohesive than the critic's give it credit.

If you're a fan of the band's earlier material and were not as big a fan of "Z", "Evil Urges" probably won't appeal to you. If you're a fan of "Z" regardless, there is a lot to like about this record and I highly recommend it. Whether you're an existing fan or new to the band entirely, free your mind of expectations and let this record speak to you on its own terms.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars your evening coat, June 25, 2008

By 

S. Tellier (NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Urges (Audio CD)

Dylan. The Rolling Thunder Revue. I'm Not There. It was these things that brought My Morning Jacket, or rather Jim James, to my (re)attention. After hearing the name My Morning Jacket, and liking it, in 1999 I was largely non-blown away by this interestingly named band. However, upon watching "I'm Not There" and hearing Jim James (and Calexico) better Dylan's original version of "Goin' To Acupulco" in full Rolling Thunder Revue face paint I was definitely intrigued. "If the singer can nail that then surely his band must be worth another look" I remember musing whilst listening to said cover for about the tenth time in a row. As luck would have it My Morning Jacket were preparing a new album; the excellently titled "Evil Urges". If I was to start anywhere why not start at where they're at right now and work back. And so I did.

Evil Urges begins with a triplet of bizarre-yet-brilliant songs. After going from listening to the acoustic classicism of a Dylan cover to the rock and funk falsetto freakishness that is the albums opening gambit is quite a journey, albeit an enjoyable one. This opening section energizes, challenges and tempts the senses with its ambition, style and execution which, through reading fan reviews, has left some MMJ "traditionalists" scratching their heads. However, music is often a vehicle for change and if you're left asking questions like "why don't do they do it like they used to" then you should probably buy a U2 album and be happy at the dull familiarity of every song. This is MMJ with Prince-like sex appeal and a willingness to ditch the alt-country cloak that has been draped on them thus far.

The middle section does hark back to their roots with the southern rock influenced "Thank You Too", the subtle soul of "Sec Wakin'" and the beautiful "Librarian". However, these are not a step backwards rather than a band showing what they can do in the quiet moments. And what can they do? Make those moments soothing and poignant.

The album picks up a heavier pace with "Aluminum Park" before finishing on the twelve minute plus couplet of "Smokin' From Shootin'" and "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream (part 2)" which uses Jim James antiquated Omnichord to full effect.

As a "new" and fickle fan this album doesn't have a bad track on it. It begs to be played again and again in order to fully appreciate the nuance and novelty of a band who still make full albums and not just singles for iTunes.

If you, or I, needed any proof at the impact of this album then hear this: a week after getting this album I purchased MMJ's back catalogue and now have a much greater appreciation of tracks like "The Bear", "Gideon" and "I Will Be There When You Die". How many albums make you do that?

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "This is My Morning Jacket?!?!", June 27, 2009

By 

Parkansky "MERP" (Morehead, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Urges (Audio CD)

That was my first response while listening to this album. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, and it wasn't in a good way. I hated this album. I hated the fact that the soaring vocals were replaced by something Prince-like, I hated the fact that nearly ALL the reverb on the previous records were gone, and I really hated the fact that there was barely any rock songs on this record. Minus a few tracks, I was ready to sell this cd.

Then something happened.

A friend of mine told me that him and his buddies were going to see My Morning Jacket live in Louisville at the Waterfront Park, and he invited me to go. I went to go see them, and I became a huge fan. I realized what they were aiming for. They wanted to show their fans that "Hey, we are influnced by a lot of classic rock, but we're also influenced by the music of today." To put it simply, live, the new songs rocked just as hard as the classics from It Still Moves, At Dawn, and Z, and fit the band like an old glove.

As bands get older, they have to evolve. There is no other choice. Radiohead did so with OK Computer, further destroying the ties to their britpop brothers. Same with Pink Floyd, same with Led Zeppelin, same with The Beatles, same with every great artist. One can see that evolutionary step in My Morning Jacket's live shows, in which case the songs range from psychedelic to country to funk to rock and roll. What Evil Urges is attempting to do is to bring that live eclectisism into an album, and it succeeds on every level. This is the music that an accomplished band like My Morning Jacket should be making after 10 years of the tried-and-true formula.

Right off the bat, Evil Urges is a song that will divide fans. The falsetto vocals, syncopated drums, sparkly guitars, and strange production is all there, but it's a given an alien sheen which might make old fans scratch their heads. Give it time, it really sucks you in. Touch Me Pt. 1 is another "WTF?" moment on an album chock full of those. It could pass for a Flaming Lips song were it not for the breathy vocals of Jim James.

Highly Suspicious is the biggest "HUH?" moment on the whole album. Trust me, if you're patient, it's very rewarding. What starts out as a funny Prince homage turns into a energetic rocker with an incredible lead guitar lick. See this song live, you'll change your mind about it.

I'm Amazed is a flat out rock and roll song. It's catchy and irrestiable, probably one of the best rock songs of 2008.

Thank You Too! and Sec Walkin' are the more experimental songs on the album, the former being as soulful as MMJ can get, while Sec Walkin' is definetly a country-tinged folky tune reminscient of the early days.

Two Halves brings in mind Buddy Holly, and Librarian is a weird country ode to sexy librarians, though it's a little more deep than that.

Aluminum Park and Remnants bring some much needed loudness to the set. These songs are furious live and it gives the album a good edge.

Smokin' From Shootin' is another strange number, an electronic ballad with some soaring vocals about God, life and death. Finally, Touch Me Pt. 2 is a funky disco about finding pleasure. Leave it to Jim James to add a grand dose of weirdness to everything he does. It works though, strangly enough, it works.

Evil Urges is the sound of an accomplished band. Pure and simple. It's the sound of a band determined to make some daring and strange work in the near future. Go Kentucky!