What is missing from Evil Urges?

[killerwolf]

  Hello friends at MMJ,  I wrote a rather lengthy review of EU,  Comments are welcome!



    What is missing from Evil Urges?

     "Evil Urges", the highly anticipated new release from Louisville Kentucky's My Morning Jacket, is an interesting album to say the least.  
One thing that has always drawn me to this band is their unpredictability. After making three successive down-and-out, gut wrenching and haunting, reverb heavy  albums, (The Tennessee Fire, At Dawn, and their major label debut, It Still Moves) the band careened into an entirely new, more upbeat, more polished  direction with 2005's album simply titled "Z".    
    The band has always been carried first and foremost by the weight of singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim James' voice.   The first time I heard the opening line of "At Dawn", belted out in Jim's wounded soul wail, it literally brought tears to my eyes.    There was so much tragic, mysterious beauty in that voice that it instantly made me long for more.   Finally there was music that had meaning and beauty and poetry again!
     I was lucky enough to receive a copy of the acoustic performance Jim James and the gang did at the South By Southwest festival in Austin Texas in the spring of 2008.  The show was performed in  St. David's church in Austin, and the new material sounded perfect in that setting.   This was my first introduction to many of the new songs that would become Evil Urges.   "Sec Walkin'",  " Librarian" , "Thank You Too"  "Smokin' from Shootin'" all sounded great, beautiful and well worn,  even though Jim sounded exhausted and perhaps a little burned out in between some of the songs.  
  When I finally received a copy of Evil Urges, and heard the studio versions of those songs, honestly, I was tremendously let down.   "Walkin'" came off sounding like a James Taylor song from the 70's, too clean and overproduced for my taste.  None of the haunting beauty of "Librarian" was present in the studio version and in fact I think it sounds rather contrived.  The bass line from "Touch Me Part 1" sounds very similar to the one from "It Beats4 U" from Z.   (listen to them both back to back it is true!)    "Look At You" sounds like a song that would be heard on a cheesy Christian rock station.
"Touch Me Part 2" starts off like a song that was leftover from the Z sessions as well, with a keyboard part that is very similar to "Anytime"  then, breaks into a straight up disco beat.  
     In all fairness, it's not all bad and in fact there are many brilliant moments.   "Thank You Too" will always be the song for all the ladies in the house, and it really is a great and gorgeous tune.  "Smokin' from Shootin" is by far the most accessible song on the album and is classic MMJ.   "Aluminum Park" has really grown on me and it is a balls out rocker.     "I'm Amazed" is a very catchy, well crafted song.   Patrick Hallahan,  MMJ's drummer, really gets to show that he truly is a world class drummer on this album.
     Then of course, there is the song that will divide the MMJ faithful from this point forward, "Highly Suspicious".     Like your mother-in-law on Christmas, we are stuck with this song whether we like it or not.   The Prince-on-acid falsetto vocals with the guitar part borrowed heavily from Ton-Loc's   "Wild Thing"   and a chorus that sounds like the bad guys cartoon voices  on anime videos must be heard to be believed.    Once you get through the initial shock, it's actually a pretty cool song.  
   .  I am all for bands taking their music in new directions and I fully trust Jim James' ability to continue writing amazing, beautiful and meaningful music.    Also, this album is still a million times better than any of the other crap that is going to be force fed onto the masses this year.
   But what I really miss, more than anything else, about the old MMJ is the mystery.  Evil Urges is seriously lacking in the kind of nostalgic, yearning,  ghostly beauty that the first three albums had so much of that made me a fan of this band in the first place.  

Thanks for reading!
Daniel Wyant
sandworm30@yahoo.com

[ycartrob]

comments are welcomed? Really? OK

[size=16]When I finally received a copy of Evil Urges, and heard the studio versions of those songs, honestly, I was tremendously let down.[/size]

thanks for coming here and letting us know how let down you are by the new album. I was actually let down by your review.

...honestly, I was tremendously let down.

"Walkin'" came off sounding like a James Taylor song from the 70's, too clean and overproduced.

None of the haunting beauty of "Librarian" was present in the studio version and in fact I think it sounds rather contrived.

The bass line from "Touch Me Part 1" sounds very similar to the one from "It Beats4 U" from Z.

"Look At You" sounds like a song that would be heard on a cheesy Christian rock station.  

You know, I would think coming to a band's message board and telling everyone how the new release "tremendously let's you down" might be a bit uncool. But, I guess in this new age of everyone-is-a-qualified-critic-because-they-own-a-laptop-with-spell-check, it's just par for the course. hey, I have an idea, I think I will go to the center of the My Morning Jacket fan base, ignore the 47,000 other posts about how people feel regarding Evil Urges, and tell everyone how I think it "lets me down". What is the mind set behind that logic?

then there' this gem, my favorite of all wannabee rock journalists everywhere, from the dawn of time (drum roll please):

"Smokin' from Shootin" is by far the most [size=20]accessible[/size] song on the album and is classic MMJ.   accessible   accessible   accessible  accessible    AARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this piece of journalistic genius:  Then of course, there is the song that will divide the MMJ faithful from this point forward, "Highly Suspicious".
that's right, Highly Suspicious will divide all the fans in half  50/50. There will be arguing, and cursing, and gnashing of the teeth over Highly Suspicious! I just hope my wife and I agree on this b/c I would sure hate to see our marriage dissolved b/c of Highly Suspicious. Guess we'll see on the 10th.

Like your mother-in-law on Christmas, we are stuck with this song whether we like it or not. jeeez, that junior college creative writing class is really paying off!

your review is as predictable and boring as any review I have ever read. And to think you put a fraction of the time and energy that MMJ put into EU, yet you come here and say how "tremendously let down you are" and expect people just to roll over and accept your word as some sort of constructive/artistic/journalistic input? Hog vomit.

thumbs down on this review. It just wasn't mysterious enough. I am tremendously let down by your review of Evil Urges.

-welcome to the board-

[vespachick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3T_xczFl5A

[tenn]

     
    The band has always been carried first and foremost by the weight of singer/songwriter/guitarist Jim James' voice.  

really, I thought it was his songwriting, but if you say so  ::)

"
And this piece of journalistic genius:  Then of course, there is the song that will divide the MMJ faithful from this point forward, "Highly Suspicious".
that's right, Highly Suspicious will divide all the fans in half  50/50. There will be arguing, and cursing, and gnashing of the teeth over Highly Suspicious! I just hope my wife and I agree on this b/c I would sure hate to see our marriage dissolved b/c of Highly Suspicious. Guess we'll see on the 10th."

I was afraid this might be a problem. My homelife could be in trouble too Tracy. Finger's crossed.


"divide" "from this point forward"  that makes me laugh, thanks

Is that killerwolf like the Danzig song?

[evilPaauwe]

i say listen to the album straight through 5 more times and then come and write a review.

i was highly suspicious and disapointed at first also.

i also hated In Rainbows after just a few listens. now its my favorite record of all time practically.

albums like evil urges are growers. they need tender care. you cant rush in expecting to hear a bunch of reverb soaked jams.

[whyteand82nd]

      What is missing from Evil Urges?

It's missing a brilliant review.

OH wait, it just got one.

Thank you so much.

[dragonboy]

Is that killerwolf like the Danzig song?

YES!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEs0fwQ1VBU

[ycartrob]

      What is missing from Evil Urges?

It's missing a brilliant review.

OH wait, it just got one.

Thank you so much.

raaaaazor sharp

and you only used 15 words.

[whyteand82nd]

Thank ya thank ya

Anything to defend the (all holy) Jacket!

[Angry Ewok]

Then of course, there is the song that will divide the MMJ faithful from this point forward, "Highly Suspicious".

Please, please let me read your review of the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

What is the mind set behind that logic?

Mind?

Where?

[Jaimoe]

Is this critique meant to be a taken as legit website and/or magazine type review? Just curious since the dude that wrote it seems to presented as such, at least where I'm sitting. I'll be writing a review of the album when it comes out for my website, but of course, I haven't heard the album yet and will happily wait until June 10th.

[tomEisenbraun]

Why the hell does everyone decide that they can all-importantly cast out "Highly Suspicious"?!

From what I've heard this far, that song is ridiculous, funny, incredible, and will be basically this album's "What A Wonderful Man"--that song that's a fucking blast to play live!

Can't argue much with that, can you? Did you think they seriously meant it?! They're having fun! C'mon!

[Angry Ewok]

The Gonzo Journalist Music Critics said the same thing about Into The Woods.

[Goat Boy]

You know, I would think coming to a band's message board and telling everyone how the new release "tremendously let's you down" might be a bit uncool.

Why?  Is there a protocol for first posts?  He's a newbie who wants to get his thought and opinions out there.  Just like everybody else on the board.

But, I guess in this new age of everyone-is-a-qualified-critic-because-they-own-a-laptop-with-spell-check, it's just par for the course. hey, I have an idea, I think I will go to the center of the My Morning Jacket fan base, ignore the 47,000 other posts about how people feel regarding Evil Urges, and tell everyone how I think it "lets me down". What is the mind set behind that logic?

I don't understand this mind set personally.  The guys posted a review, no need to shoot him down.  It's certainly no worse than many of the 'reviews' and critiques I've seen round these parts frankly that mostly fall into the gushing fan boy type variety.  Unsurprising given that this is a board for MMJ fans of course but still.

your review is as predictable and boring as any review I have ever read. And to think you put a fraction of the time and energy that MMJ put into EU, yet you come here and say how "tremendously let down you are" and expect people just to roll over and accept your word as some sort of constructive/artistic/journalistic input? Hog vomit.

so because he hasn't slaved his ass off listening to it (how you can know this I don't know) he isn't entitled to his opinion that it's a let down?  Eh?  Me no understand.  MMJ aren't a holy cow you know.  Your comment makes you sound like some sad offended fan sticking up for his fave band simply because somebody has had the temerity to label their new album a let down who also happens to be a newbie.  That's his opinion and he doesn't need to justify it by putting as much time and energy that MMJ did into the record does he?  That's absurd logic.  It's not about rolling over and accepting his word is it?  It's just some guy expressing an opinion for crying out loud.  Albeit poorly.  Imo.

You can criticise them you know.  For example Honest Man is an execrable dirge that weighs down the otherwise wonderful At Dawn.  There, I said it.  In fact all their albums - cept Z - are too long and have some filler.  It Still Moves should have been a ten track all killer no filler album.  

And just to make the point clear I didn't rate the review either but I don't see the need to piss on the dudes parade.  

[Goat Boy]

Why the hell does everyone decide that they can all-importantly cast out "Highly Suspicious"?!

From what I've heard this far, that song is ridiculous, funny, incredible, and will be basically this album's "What A Wonderful Man"--that song that's a fucking blast to play live!

Can't argue much with that, can you? Did you think they seriously meant it?! They're having fun! C'mon!

Totally.  Some people take this shit way too seriously.  It's a goofy fun song that will kick ass live.  Its not Steam Engine but then it was never intended to be was it?  Lighten up people.  

[upstatestruggler]

I guess I just don't get reviews/critics period 'cause, as has been so succinctly pointed out here time and time again, music is such a personal thing. I appreciate people's opinions, and all, but my big thing is that I want to hear it for myself when the time comes. I don't want to think about Christian radio, poetry, accessible songs, or james taylor when I listen for the first time. not a huge fan of any of that shit. however, I do enjoy prince-on-acid, a straight up disco beat, the guitar part from Ton-Loc's   "Wild Thing", bad guys cartoon voices, balls, Patrick, all the ladies in the house, leftover from the Z sessions, weight, Jim James' voice, soul wail, the "It Beats4 U" bass line, my mother-in-law, the initial shock, and crap. so if all of this is any indication, I think I may just enjoy this studio album.

I think I know this guy. he's the one who pushes his way to the front of the crowd- and then stands there and talks loudly to his friends about what they like and dislike and where they are drinking after the show.

no offense, brah.

[Ghosts_on_TV]

The thing I don't get about people hating on Highly Suspicious is this...

Did you people seriously miss out on the bands humor before you heard this song? It's ok when they cover Wham!, or Prince but when they write a catchy, funny song themselves all these people get all worked up about it? The song isn't supposed to be Steam Engine, seems to me they wanted to get their funk out and have a good time. THis song is going to floor people on this upcoming tour, and I believe like, 4 years from now when they bust it out people are going to go crazy. Seriously, if you didn't get their humor before this, it's not really whats missing from Evil Urges, it's whats missing from you.

[Coltrane]

i think the whole argument that blew up a few weeks ago about "newbies," etc is clearly magnified in the first post.

Sure, everyone can have an opinion. Not everyone will love everything the band does. But this forum, this place, is different. It began with only people who love everything the band does. And it flourished with those people and the community feeling they created. So the band becomes popular and more and more people know of them. But THIS place is still a santuary for those of us who want to remain positive and well, have fun.

When your first post is a hack writing piece that labors over "what is missing" rather than WHAT IS THERE, well, that just sucks.

If you were let down by the album, fine. Start a blog. Or send your review to Ben Fong-Torres. Why place it in a space that exudes love??

I'm befuddled.

Baba-booey.

[Bigsky]

i think the whole argument that blew up a few weeks ago about "newbies," etc is clearly magnified in the first post.

Sure, everyone can have an opinion. Not everyone will love everything the band does. But this forum, this place, is different. It began with only people who love everything the band does. And it flourished with those people and the community feeling they created. So the band becomes popular and more and more people know of them. But THIS place is still a santuary for those of us who want to remain positive and well, have fun.

When your first post is a hack writing piece that labors over "what is missing" rather than WHAT IS THERE, well, that just sucks.

If you were let down by the album, fine. Start a blog. Or send your review to Ben Fong-Torres. Why place it in a space that exudes love??

I'm befuddled.

Baba-booey.

Right on Baba-booey!

I also think some review writers feel more powerful if they can give a bad review. So right from the start they are looking for "what is missing."

I have a review...killerwolf (Daniel Wyant) is a negative-nancy (sorry for the name-calling).

I know what Goat Boy is thinking...Pink Floyd Sucks ;D

[Goat Boy]

i think the whole argument that blew up a few weeks ago about "newbies," etc is clearly magnified in the first post.

Sure, everyone can have an opinion. Not everyone will love everything the band does. But this forum, this place, is different. It began with only people who love everything the band does.

Everything the band does?  That sounds like a statement of blind faith!  See, I don't get this attitude.  Look, I love The Jacket but I can view them critically as well.  They are not above criticism - nobody is - and I think that out of this real debate emerges.  Then again, I'm a bit of an iconoclast.

If you were let down by the album, fine. Start a blog. Or send your review to Ben Fong-Torres. Why place it in a space that exudes love??

Well, why not?  This is a place for fans of the band and if some fans want to voice a contradictory opinion that goes against the love fest these places tend to be then that should be embraced imo.  This is a good thing.  After all we are ALL fans of the band and all viewpoints – positive and negative – should be heard, welcomed and debated.  It's just a shame the 'review' was, well, you know.

For the record I think Evil Urges is a grower.  Sure there's a couple of fillers but overall I'm happy and these songs will sound real fucking good when I see them in Amsterdam  8-)