My Morning Jacket

• It Still Moves [ATO, 2003] C
• Z [ATO/RCA, 2005] **
• Evil Urges [ATO, 2008]

Consumer Guide Reviews:

It Still Moves [ATO, 2003]
It's touching to watch the latest indie-rock generation flail around in search of a form, spouting sincerely all the while. But it's also depressing. Like the emo guys, Louisville's Neil-ish Jim James has the advantage of normal feelings and ambition--he's not content to remain subcultural. He claims his Dave Matthews-sponsored major-label debut was his chance to make a true band record, and I guess his boys are trickier than Crazy Horse, just not in any way you haven't heard before. Then there's his filtered drawl, his straitened tune sense, his lyrics you feel cheated straining for, his 12 songs in 72 minutes. For what? For the horrible Memphis Horns coda of "Easy Morning Rebel," plodding on funklessly for two minutes after the vocal has gone the way of all reverb? C

Z [ATO/RCA, 2005]
Mindlessly arresting pop of moderately original flavor ("It Beats for You," "Off the Record"). **

Evil Urges [ATO, 2008]
"Librarian"