My Morning Jacket: Z

ATO/RCA Records, 2005
Producers: John Lecke & Jim James
Genre: Hyper-produced garage Rock & Roll; a 1970's resurgence with better technology

It's hard to be a hipster in Louisville, KY. You're not supposed to like the bands that you actually like unless they're under the mainstream radar. It's also important to be overly critical of hometown bands, such as My Morning Jacket. Well, the Jacket boys gave their hometown something to be proud of in 2005.

Z is the 2nd major label release from MMJ. It was heavily anticipated and primed to be either a critical darling or a sinking ship after their exuberantly lauded major label debut, It Still Moves (2003). Apparently they hit the critical spot.

At first listen, this album sounds like four guys sitting around having more than a few beers and making some music. In subsequent listens, you realize that it is four guys sitting around having more than a few beers and making some really good music. It's prolific and easy-going at the same time, which can be terribly difficult to pull off.

I almost always judge an album by the closing track. The final song should be what separates a record from being good to being great. And if you have a stellar opening track, it just sweetens the deal. MMJ does it here, beginning with the hauting and peaceful "Wordless Chorus," and ending with the epic "Dondante." They've mentioned in inteviews that the fifth member of their band is reverb.... a lot of reverb. To some bands, reverb is unmanageable and obtuse. To My Morning Jacket it fits like an old pair of jeans.

A quick mention of what is probably one of my favorite songs of the last year, "Off The Record." It's refreshing to see an unabashed rock band put together a blatant pop song with crunchy guitars and an infectious hook, then turn it into a Radiohead-esque mind trip at the end. Genius.

The best comparison I can make for this band is a mixture of The Who and Pink Floyd, with twinges of electronica; just enough to make it different and fluid for the time; not obnoxious.

This was definitely the surprise album of 2005 for me. I honestly did not want to like this band, as I've never gravitated to their earlier work. I've also briefly had a few drinks with some of these boys in Louisville, and they've acted like rock stars, even before they were rock stars. I guess they showed me.