My Morning Jacket Album: “It Still Moves”

"Sittin' here with me and mine, all wrapped up in a bottle of wine" - so 2003's "It Still Moves" begins, with Jim James's trademark reverberated vocals coming through the speakers like they're being shouted from deep inside a cave or something. The effect is distinct, and very successful, much like this album itself. Like the bear gracing the album cover, this is a mammoth effort: the album clocks in at 72 minutes, and most songs break the 6-minute mark. The result is a listening experience not for those who are easily bored, but rather those who can let the music unfold slowly (and make no mistake, those who do make it through the meandering parts will be richly rewarded in the end).

I actually find the length of the tracks to be one of the record's strongest assets. The balls out jams that end the majority of the songs here show a long lost affinity for the GROOVE. These guys know how to hit on a riff and milk it, and no avenue is left unexplored. There are breakdowns, build-ups, guitar excursions, Memphis horns, and even some synths (on the marvelous "Run Thru"). It's been said that "It Still Moves" plays like a live album, and I couldn't agree more. It is remarkable that the band was able to take the energy and freedom of a live show and put it onto record. For that reason alone, this would be one of the finest records of 2003, but fortunately there are songs to back up the fabulous arrangements. Every song is memorable, and there aren't any throwaway tracks. The ethereal yet soothing vocals dominate spare, rambling tracks such as "I Will Sing You Songs" and "One In The Same". Elsewhere, the guitar takes over and the band rocks up a storm rarely seen since the southern rock heyday of the 1970's ("Mahgeetah", "One Big Holiday"). The lyrics are fine as well, never stepping in the way of the music, never becoming pretentious, and never giving into tired southern clichés. And the music is never obviously derivative: MMJ has definitely fostered a singular style for itself.

The record is an emotional listening experience, and there's a constant thread of melancholy permeating even the most bombastic numbers. It's good late night listening, with the lights dim and your mind clear (or even a little buzzed). Sometimes its hard to take the entire thing in one sitting, but when there's barely any filler, how can length be a downside? This really is great music, and I think this band's stature will grow with time. Definitely the best record of 2003 in my book. If you like great rock music with a little twang, this is really a no-brainer.

Although I tend to be wary of any band that Pitchformedia.com slums for, this one (for 8 bucks) is, for the most part, worth the effort to get to know better. Picking it up totally on a whim and having no real reference point for their sound, I was surprised to find what I suspected wasn't on the album: namely, actual rock music. I have no real fondness for Southern Rock, so hearing those duel Skynyrd guitars slashing around It Still Moves and hearing the lead singer's voice reach quite high levels made me apprehensive at first. But the quality and the complexity of the songs is undeniable, along with Jim James's voice. You would think that coating your voice in blurring reverb on every song would get annoying fast...but somehow it doesn't. Instead, it lends James's voice an eerie lonesomeness and potency that meshes quite well with the music, whether it's the opening, rollicking song "Mageetah" or slower ones like "I will Sing You Songs," which concludes with his wail against a background of simplistic pounding of instruments that is quite effective. No song is shorter than five minutes, which can get a little tiring at times. Somehow, though, each song has a epic quality to it that would be cheated if it had to be shortened. Strands of Southern Rock run throughout It Still Moves, but it doesn't hinder it. Instead, it only informs it, giving the otherwise hard indie rock on display throughout most of the album a looseness to it without being experimental, as most Indie Rock bands tend to succumb too. The length is the only real complaint. But carve an hour out of your day to listen to the continuing improvement of a very promising band. It'll be worth it.

Very relaxing music with a rock beat. Reverb vocals, classic rock styles, and an alt-country feel make this a great cd to drink a beer with in a lonely setting. "Just One Thing" is a gem that most listeners probably don't appreciate as near as much as they should. Golden, ..Holiday, Mahgeetah, and Dancefloors are the standouts here. Most of the songs take a little patience, though, and that's what makes them all the more enjoyable. If you're looking for radio-friendly "hits", this isn't your cup of tea. But if you like unwinding with a beer as you look out over the peaks at dusk, this IS your cup of tea.

I have seen this album described as a "grower," something that you have to listen to many times to appreciate. I bought it assuming that I might take a while to warm up to it. Was I wrong! It was one of the few albums I have bought that instantly leaped out at me as a possible favorite for the rest of my life (others, and they have held up remarkably well, are "King of America" by Elvis Costello, the "Basement Tapes" by Bob Dylan, and "Songs From Northern Britain" by Teenage Fanclub). The centerpiece is "golden" but there are so many brilliant songs on here that the 70-minute length is forgiven (I usually don't like long albums unless they really pack a punch).

Now...I am genetically predisposed to like this music. For some reason, ethereal, country-ish indie rock clicks with the way my brain is wired, whereas, say, polka may not. Sorry polka fans. So that plays a huge factor in my loving (yes, loving) this disc as much as I do. So that's the caveat- if you are wired like I am, it will satisfy you. If not, you may agree with the negative reviews here. BTW though, it is not depressing, or always melancholy. This music is often uplifting and powerful. The person who found this depressing must just be very predisposed to being depressed, and anything, even Teenage Fanclub, Apples in Stereo or Prozac, might bring them down.

That said, make up your own mind but give this one a chance if you think you like the sound of it.

It appears Tex Clark has been reading reviews in magazines comparing this band to the 'Allman Brothers' so decided to regurgitate this by way of a review of this album. Comparisons with the Allman's couldn't be further from the mark as far as I'm concerned. For example , I definitely can't hear any 25 minute instrumentals with endless guitar and drum solo's. Can't hear any old blues covers dragged out forever either. There are at least 6 brilliant tracks on this CD. Forget about lazy comparisons with Neil Young. The song writing and playing on this album evoke the timeless Americana of 'The Band' as well as hints of 'Jackson Browne'. I mean this as a compliment. Remember 'Late For The Sky'. This band have more potential than 1000 'Strokes' so don't knock them!