My Morning Jacket: Z

After the breakout success of 2003’s It Still Moves, My Morning Jacket have returned with a majorrelease that is nothing short of amazing. Their dreary, reverb-laden style of songwriting is stronger than ever and features catchy hooks and vocal melodies that the band hinted at in early recordings, but had never before demonstrated with such strength until now.

In fact, Z is a nonstop ride of alt. country songs that, had they been recorded 30 years ago, would now be considered classics nestled right next to Willie Nelson on every jukebox east of the Rockies.

The vocals call out from a fog at times, juxtaposing the moments where you feel like you’re caught up in a live jam where the band is giving its all in a chorus of guitar solos reverberating against some of the most beautiful and energetic organ playing I’ve ever heard.

All of the hype that singer/songwriter material has been given over the last five years should be redirected to this album, because you would be hard pressed to find it done better or more consistently than from these Southern boys.

– Chris Smith
My Morning Jacket (RCA Records)