After losing a couple of their original members and nearly calling it quits just a year after their breakthrough album, It Still Moves, was released, Louisville, Kentucky’s My Morning Jacket is back with a new album and possibly a new lease on (band) life. Z (Zed in Canada), My Morning Jacket’s most recent album, sees the much-loved band branching out far past there indie-by-way-of-Southern-Rock roots. Of course, they still sound like the My Morning Jacket we all know and love, it’s just that Z showcases the band taking at least one foot out of the Southern jam pool and dipping their toes in a wide variety of other genres. What results is simultaneously My Morning Jacket’s most dynamic and accessible album to date.
This new direction immediately makes itself known on the album’s first track, “Wordless Chorus.” A low keyboard pulse begins the album as if to summon the hockey army from Strange Brew. From there, the band breaks into a soulful and percussive R&B groove with singer Jim James doing his best Al Green impression. A slinky guitar line reminiscent of Remain in Light era Talking Heads maintains the rhythmic nature of the song beneath a wave of vocals and reverb-laden guitars throughout the chorus (which, in case you were wondering, is wordless).
Elsewhere, My Morning Jacket tries their hand at more straightforward rock. “What a Wonderful Man” may be the band’s loosest and most playful songs to date. The song clocks in just shy of two and a half minutes, which is an anomaly for a band whose albums typically clock in at a full 74 minutes (Z only runs 47 minutes). “Wonderful” still jams like the best of the band’s work, but it differs in its sheer exuberance and excitement – like a bar band on a particularly good night. Guitars careen left and right, recalling Neil Young’s sloppier and dirtier Crazy Horse work. Singer Jim James’ vocals are looser than ever here too, with him capping the song off with a for-dogs-only caliber shriek.
“Anytime” continues the straight-ahead rock n’ roll theme with heavy riffs and crashing drums. Although it doesn’t have the expansive quality of much of My Morning Jacket’s early work, it still is one of the most immediately enjoyable songs in the band’s oeuvre. “Lay Low” feels like a Flaming Lips song (thanks to the heavy drums – Z’s secret weapon), but I can’t help but feel like I’m hearing “Footloose” somewhere in there too. Which is a good thing. Kenny Loggins may not be an indie-rock father figure yet, but his day will come.
The keyboard-led waltz, “Into The Woods” is another stylistic change, but it’s the song’s Mr. Mike inspired lyrics that make it a standout and possibly one of the most divisive songs in the band’s history (sample lyric: “A kitten on fire / A baby in a blender”). Those with a taste for dark humor will get a kick out of it, but infant and animal lovers may want to skip this track.
The most surprising track – and definite standout – is “Off The Record.” The song begins with a guitar line reminiscent of “The Theme To Hawaii 5-0” before dropping into a groove and melody ripped straight from “Pass the Dutchie.” Dancing to My Morning Jacket has never felt so necessary (if it ever was necessary at all). “Off The Record,” however isn’t just a cheap ploy at a Modest Mouse sized indie rags-to-riches story. Instead of breaking into a bridge that sounds like a cross between “Lust For Life” and “Come On Eileen” (or perhaps some more Kenny Loggins), My Morning Jacket pull the song way back into a three-minute percussive jam that recalls Air or possibly even Can, never to return to the song’s poppy beginnings. At five-and-a-half-minutes, the majority of “Off The Record” is in the down tempo jam. The song lures you in with a delectable taste of pop flair, only to wear you down with their percussive groove.
Whether or not Z is a step in the right direction for My Morning Jacket is difficult to say, seeing as how the band is attempting to make a step in every direction. The R&B element is the most prominent addition, adding a discernable groove to the band’s typically reverb-drenched axe wielding (did someone say grain silo yet?). Despite a few uncertain years, My Morning Jacket has emerged stronger and more compelling than ever. |