“I’m Amazed” – My Morning Jacket
(Words/music: Jim James, available on Evil Urges, ATO 2008)
Despite repeated endorsements from friends, including friends I trust, I never really latched on to My Morning Jacket. I have copies of most of their albums but never really listened to them on my own. I even saw them live with Pearl Jam in 2006 and was impressed by their musicianship despite a less than ideal situation (this, in addition to seeing James peform with Conor Oberst and M.Ward years before they became the Monsters of Folk). Still, I never followed through on any of my “leads,” whether from other people or my own experiences with the band. I wish I could give a concrete reason for this, but it really only comes back to a lack of time to listen to all of the records I want to hear.
Ironically, it might have been this indifference that made me take notice of the band. The entire Evil Urges album sounds more like the fluid, shape-shifting version of the band that plays legendary sets I read about rather than the reverb-drenched Crazy Horse disciples I heard on record. So when I spent a quiet Saturday night home with a glass of whiskey and Saturday Night Live, I wasn’t ready to be blown away by “I’m Amazed.” I expected the band to show off their chops, but instead they played a simple, harmony-driven rock song. Instantly, it clicked for me – with this simple song, I saw a band running on all cylinders. Even without tricky chord changes or intricate jams, the guitars still felt forceful, especially during the solo. Most importantly, I saw a band having fun on stage, and when I got Evil Urges, I heard the same things in the studio version as well. Even if it’s not the most complex (or lyrically deep song), James crafted an arrangement that lets his band flourish. While many might argue that “I’m Amazed” doesn’t accurately represent the band’s musicianship (or the eclectic sound of Evil Urges), it captures the band as a group that enjoys what it does and excels at it.
More on My Morning Jacket: Allmusic | Amazon MP3 | Emusic | Last.fm
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