On their second album for
Darla Records
,
My Morning Jacket
sound perfect. That is to say, they haven't changed a bit, and we like them that way.
At Dawn
is full of the same strumming acoustic guitar, hauntingly treated vocals, elements of
country
and
blues
, and everything else that made
The Tennessee Fire
a magnificent
rock
, and
Americana
stew. When bandleader
Jim James
sings, "We start this time with open ears," you know you're heading into familiar territory, as open ears were what you needed the first time you took this trip with
James
and the rest of
. Open ears led you through the stark and beautiful landscape of
, and now they take you on a similar trip, from the sunshine of
"Lowdown,"
"The Way He Sings,"
"Just Because I Do"
to the rainy day appeal of
"If It Smashes Down"
"I Needed It Most."
Echoes of
Galaxie 500
For Stars
, and classic
(
Neil Young
the Band
Dylan
the Velvet Underground
, etc.) find their way into this record to varying degrees, but they seem to float along lending help and comfort, rather than showing themselves directly. Like
Belle & Sebastian
's songs have remained essentially the same, and
is the sound of a band hitting its stride. ~ Terrance Miles