Evil Urges - Dark Publications

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Album Description
US LP pressing includes the full CD. All set up to be the band's biggest selling album to date, this album is a genre defying masterpiece that blends their classic sound with soul, r&b, psyche rock & more.

Customer Reviews: Read 77 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

It's a long way from the silo June 17, 2008
36 out of 55 found this review helpful

I'm not quite sure who said it, or when exactly it was said, or if it was even said at all, but here goes: "the best music has already been made". After a few rounds with My Morning Jacket's latest effort, "Evil Urges", I found comfort in this. There are no more Coltranes, no more Mozarts, and certainly no more My Morning Jackets. Because another My Morning Jacket appears on this record. I'm consistently perplexed by the overreaching need of recording artists to "branch out" and "expand" and recklessly explore other musical styles and even entire genres to pad their resumes. How this band has traveled so far from recording vocals in a converted silo in Kentucky and sending us into atmospheric bliss with epic jams ("Masterplan" and "Steam Engine") and soul-kissed country gems ("Evelyn is not Real"). They now offer cliche-ridden drivel ("Librarian") and cornball hay-seeders ("Sec Walkin"). We also get a dose of funk (yes, it sounds like Prince...news flash: he does it better), three-part harmonies and feedback-reverb-noise clips. Jim James and company have certainly given into their evil urges, so at least they got the title right. Redeemed all too briefly by one of the best songs so far this year, "I'm Amazed", with just the right amount of poignancy and a meaningful, purpose-driven arrangement, and the thoroughly lovely "Thank you Too" (although that one may be headed for Lite FM before too long), this record can arguably be labeled a huge disappointment. One last listen to "Evil Urges", and I'm lunging for my well-worn copy of "It Still Moves", which remains MMJ's masterstroke. As the man (or woman) said: the best music has already been made.

4 out of 5 stars

MMJ keeps expanding its musical palette, with great results June 10, 2008
24 out of 32 found this review helpful

In 2005, My Morning Jacket released its commercial and critical breakthrough album "Z". It was a masterpiece in every which way, and I had it as my top album of the year. After taking time off (releasing the seminal "Okonokos" live CD along the way), MMJ finally comes back with its highly anticipated new studio album, three years in the making.

"Evil Urges" (14 tracks, 55 min.) plays like a 3 part musical drama. The first 4 tracks find Jim James and his band continuing the exploratory themes of "Z", with the excellent title track, but also in particular "Highly Suspicious", which reminds of Prince of all people, and a thrilling "I'm Amazed". The middle section of the album retreats to more "traditional" MMJ, with pensive tracks such as the beautiful acoustic "Librarian" which Jim James finds lamenting for a love-wanna. The last third of the album, though, is where the real pay-off comes, starting with a hard charging (and sing-along) "Aluminum Park", and peaking with the 13 min. mini-suite of "Smookin From Shootin" and "Touch Me I'm Going To Scream Pt.2", as mesmerizing as anything MMJ has done. Just beautiful.

In all, "Evil Urges" is a fantastic album, although (for me personally) falling *this* short of the astounding album that "Z" was and is. That aside, MMJ is one of the best live acts out there these days. I saw them again at Coachella a few months ago, where they previewed several of the new album tracks (including "Highly Suspicious" and "I'm Amazed") and it was stellar. MMJ is a breath of fresh air in the indie-rock scene. "Evil Urges" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

4 out of 5 stars

A Strange, Yet Endearing Rock Record! June 10, 2008
7 out of 11 found this review helpful

A few weeks ago I happened across an internet rant by some guy proclaiming Nickelback to be the saviors of rock music. Clearly this guy's knowledge of rock music doesn't really extend past the early nineties, otherwise he would know that Nickelback's testosterone-fueled "music" has nearly nothing in common with the rock music of the 60s and 70s. In my mind, My Morning Jacket have always stayed true to their influences and in doing so, have been carrying the torch of rock music for the better part of a decade. Evil Urges continues this trend, but adds to the group's already wide array of sounds, vibes, and styles.

The album's title track starts things off on the right foot, with lead vocalist Jim James singing the song in an adequate falsetto. He croons, "Evil urges baby/ they're just part of the human way," during the chorus, and I'm not too big to say that I was singing right along (in falsetto, no less) by the time it came back around. The guitars on this song are impressive to say the least, especially in the song's breakdown where the guys just seem to be begging for a spot on the next Guitar Hero game. "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream (Part 1)" is a different style entirely, with a whole mess of electronic strings and synths coating the song's goofy lyrics and catchy drumming. James' desire to be touched makes for a really interesting and fun listen, believe it or not, and it's an early standout on the album.

On "Highly Suspicious," James seems to be channeling Prince more than Three Dog Night, again sticking with the falsetto while the other band members add in deep, growling guard dog vocals in the chorus. Calling this song the strangest MMJ song to date is no big feat. That'd be like calling the Sears Tower tall. But for as strange as it is to hear someone sing about a "peanut butter pudding surprise" (which simply has to be a sexual innuendo), I can't help but completely dig this song. It is followed by, "I'm Amazed" which finally has the band sounding like a more familiar version of themselves. The southern rock sound that they have doubtlessly mastered is in full effect here. James sounds like himself, once again, and the song is easily one of the album's best.

"Thank You Too" is very reminiscent of Eagles, and is a pretty touching song. In the chorus James sings, "I want to take you for all that you are/ I know our worlds seem far apart/ I want to see you for all that you do/ I want to thanks you," and lush harmonies swell in over his vocals and really make the song a memorable, enjoyable experience. "Sec Walkin'" is more southern rock, with a lap steel featured prominently. There's nothing particularly notable about the song, but it's not a complete dud either. "Two Halves" leaves a more lasting impression, with a very 50s doo-wop rock feel - sort of like an upbeat "Last Kiss." At about 2 1/2 minutes, I've found myself listening to it repeatedly just so I don't feel cheated.

"Librarian" is about a "simple little bookworm" that Jim James seems to have a fondness for. He seems to think she's more of a temptress than she lets on and weaves a love story between the two of them in his head. The song is simple, and never really builds or evolves beyond the first 30 seconds. Still, I've found myself amused by the lyrical content, so it's hard to hate it entirely. "Look at You" is more classic MMJ, with a soft southern rock feel to it. It's not until "Aluminum Park" that things start to mix back up. With a driving, tinny guitar lead and James' powerful vocal performance, it stands out as one of the better tracks on the album. It reminds me of the chaotic nature of "What a Wonderful Man," which was a favorite of mine on Z. "Remnants" is more Guitar Hero material, but it almost seems out of place on this album because it is so loud and crazy. Do I enjoy it? Absolutely. It just sticks out like a sore thumb when you listen to it in the context of the album. If that doesn't bother you, prepare to be amazed.

The album closes out with what I feel are its two weakest tracks. "Smokin' From Shootin'" drags through its 5 minutes. I spend most of my time waiting for something to happen, and by the time something finally does, I've lost any interest that I may have had. This is one of those songs that probably should have been saved for a B-sides collection. "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream (Part 2)" is a driving 8-minute disco behemoth. The first five minutes of the song are all pretty much the same, and it's not until after that that things start building and becoming interesting. It is not a terrible song, but like its predecessor, I just don't see the necessity of its inclusion on the album; especially since there's already a Part 1 that did the job just fine.

Overall, Evil Urges is a fairly impressive album. My Morning Jacket has never been a band afraid of taking risks and trying new things, and songs like "Highly Suspicious" or "Touch Me I'm Going to Scream (Part 1)" really show how great this band can be when they are pushing themselves to evolve. On Evil Urges, they successfully create new, exciting sounds, but at the same time they mix them with songs that are more reminiscent of their past successes. The result is an album that feels much more disjointed than their previous work. It lacks the focus and continuity of Z, though it maintains its charm and technical prowess. Evil Urges is far from My Morning Jacket's best album, but with this many solid songs that you can listen to over and over again, it's hard to not love it even a teeny bit.

Key Tracks:
1. "Evil Urges"
2. "Highly Suspicious"
3. "I'm Amazed"
4. "Thank You Too"
5. "Remnants"

7 out of 10 Stars

2 out of 5 stars

Pull My Finger June 10, 2008
7 out of 18 found this review helpful

Let me be the first to say I don't want Jim James imitating Prince. Are you freaking kidding me? I am convinced that this album is a parody and that the real one will arrive in a couple days along with MMJ embroidered whoopee cushion. "Just Kidding!" Wow, I can't even believe what I just heard. Seriously, if you have been listening to this band - even if you started with "Z" - be prepared for a completely different album. If you're looking for "Bermuda Highway" or "Golden" or any of their other classics - top 50 songs of all time for me, stay far away from this one. Sorry, I worship them, but Jim James is clearly on drugs.

2 out of 5 stars

Nothing like their previous albums June 11, 2008
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

I am really confused by this album. I've been trying to put my finger on what the problem is and I think they've oversimplified things. It seems like these songs were crafted to appeal to more of a mass audience and they've lost their edge. I kept waiting for the drumming, guitars, and Jim James' voice to elevate me to the heights we experienced with It Still Moves, Z, and At Dawn but they're no where to be found. There are no crescendos here. It's sort of experimental with the Prince-like singing on a few songs but overall the album falls flat. I'll be eagerly awaiting a return to form from one of my favorite bands.

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