My Morning Jacket: Circuital

My Morning Jacket
Circuital
ATO Records [2011]









Fire Note Says: My Morning Jacket create an eager record with Circuital that has a multitude of shining moments

Album Review:
It took many repeat listens through My Morning Jacket's sixth studio record Circuital's 45 minute rock ride to come up with a final thought but after careful consideration I believe that it is a record that should live up to all the MMJ's faithful high expectations. First off, I will tell you it is not the best record they have released, as that is easily It Still Moves [2003] but Circuital is one of the most vibrant and free spirited records the Kentucky band has put out. The record has been hyped as a return to their roots, which I hear and believe to be somewhat true as it leaves the complexity that haunted some pieces of Evil Urges [2008] behind but Circuital also does not turn the clock back and include 10 sprawling songs that jam band enthusiasts will be all over either. The album nicely combines past elements with new directions for My Morning Jacket and it is exactly the piece that I enjoy about Circuital because it is a true "next album" in their catalog and dives into different vibes without losing cohesion. It relies on their past experiences but also succeeds from the current status of their songwriting. Opening track "Victory Dance" sets the tone, as it builds you up with increasing tempos and instruments into a frenzy as Jim James leads with his steady floating tone. Next, the title track and longest song on the record, at just over seven minutes, is a big retro rocker that soars while "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)" is one of the most gorgeous tracks MMJ have released. Circuital was recorded with producer Tucker Martine (Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens) in a Louisville church gym and paints the listener an image of the band just sitting in a circle, having fun and letting the room's acoustics take over with the solid harmonizing vocals. My Morning Jacket will for sure entertain longtime fans with Circuital but I suspect this could be the record that exposes them to even bigger audiences across the land as it is a real grower!

Key Tracks: "Circuital", "Wonderful (The Way I Feel)", "Movin' Away"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Band Of Horses
The Allman Brothers Band
Fleet Foxes

My Morning Jacket: Live At The Palms [EP] [Fire Note Review 1/23/09]
My Morning Jacket: Evil Urges [Fire Note Review 6/11/08]

My Morning Jacket Website
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ATO Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony