My Morning Jacket
It Still Moves

THE REVIEW

"It Still Moves" is the third studio effort from the creation of Jim James, the true mastermind of My Morning Jacket. James writes the pieces and produces the album, which is released by ATO, a label founded by that genius Dave Matthews, at the time a branch of RCA. With the circuits well-oiled, the Louisville machine seems ready to deliver the album of maturity. Above all stands a composition we could define as "torrential".

A tracklist of twelve pieces, ten of which have a duration between five and nine minutes. The arrangements are thus intricate and with clear references to a musical heritage ranging from blues, classic hard rock, to southern and alt-country registers. Despite James choosing to draw inspiration from quite a broad sound spectrum, the work results in being dense and decidedly compact (with a few exceptions). Rare are the moments when the work of James and company shows weakness; after all, in an album of over seventy minutes, moments of fatigue are acceptable.

"Mahgeetah" testifies to the southern origin of the group (Kentucky); the opening track of the album clearly has the features of a southern song, infused with that "alternative" vein that pervades the "Jacket's" pentagram. "Dancefloors" seems straight out of the sessions of the Stones' "Exile on Main St." The skillful use of a brass section makes the piece's explosive ending triumphant. "Golden" (one of the two pieces under five minutes) is an alt-country ballad, complete with vocal harmonies in perfect country style. "Master Plan" showcases energetic hard rock reminiscent of Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleep." Nothing is left to chance; James pulls the strings, skillfully using his musical knowledge. "One Big Holiday" is the piece that makes an entire career worth it, one of those songs destined for the most frenzied covering. Impeccable execution and production, a breathtaking arrangement, a perfect rock song without blemishes. The live renditions of this piece show a chilling guitar interplay between Jim James and Johnny Quaid. The ethereal and lengthy "I Will Sing You Songs" shows how My Morning Jacket have learned to deconstruct the song format and also use psychedelic registers. The alt-country of "Easy Morning Rebel" entertains and captivates. The boozy guitar of "Run Thru" recalls the unparalleled "Cortez the Killer," another piece destined to become a concert classic, and included by Rolling Stones magazine among the 100 greatest guitar performances of all time. In the second part, the piece turns into reckless and captivating hard-rock, then returns to the intro theme, showcasing the group's great ability to create arrangements, alternating multiple registers within the same song.

A moment of weariness is represented by "Rollin' Back," a ballad really too long and decidedly "slow." A weariness redeemed by "Just One Thing," with its three-minute duration, the shortest piece of the entire album. A ballad as well, which is pleasantly listenable. "Just One Thing" and "One in the Same" close the album, not without leaving the listener with the idea that there could have been less verbosity.

The group's exuberant vein and the lengthy tracks do not constitute a limitation; if anything, it's the choice of a too verbose lineup that is limiting, which could probably have benefited from a couple of cuts. With some adjustments (arrived with the subsequent "Z"), My Morning Jacket prove they can reside in the American alternative universe, occupying a top position.