My Morning Jacket - Z

In a year when many of my favorite artists have released albums, I am astonished to come to the following conclusion: My Morning Jacket’s Z is (by far) my favorite record of 2005. The Kentucky-based band has created a lush and layered masterpiece which should propel them from indie darling status to being known as a musical force to be reckoned with. On Z, My Morning Jacket has, for the most part, eschewed their Southern rock tendencies of old in favor of a more psychedelic landscape where anything is possible. All at once the group manages to borrow from several great artists (Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, Beach Boys) and yet sound like nothing you’ve ever heard. Jim James’ commanding vocal presence interacts with whirling guitars and atmospheric keyboards to create an album that is as brilliant as it is unpredictable. The genius of this record is how it manages to come off as a free form exercise in creativity while employing the amount of structure necessary to construct and sustain memorable pop songs. Each of the standout tracks on Z wander in and out of a variety of musical settings yet remain consistent in tone and quality. For example, “Off the Record” opens with a surf guitar riff, morphs into a Clash-style reggae tune and ends with a wandering electronic outro, yet all the pieces feel perfectly compatible. Other prominent songs include “Into the Woods,” which overcomes one of the creepiest opening lines in history “A kitten on fire/a baby in a blender,” to achieve a beautifully deranged sense of wonder, and the feel-good “What a Wonderful Man.” Driven by a sunny piano riff, the tribute to a “sensible” icon features gleefully unrestrained vocals by James. Z is the story of a band finding out there are no barriers or limits to how great they can be. By being willing to survey and explore the musical landscapes available to them, My Morning Jacket has created a record that is sure to resonate with anyone who will come along for the journey. [www.mymorningjacket.com]