My Morning Jacket explore an environment where Americana soil flowers into obscure funk, classic rock is effortlessly placed next to crocheted alt-country and exploding guitar assaults slink into electro-speckled funk. The first solo LP from My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James still reflects intrepid musical eagerness, but Regions Of Light And Sound Of God is comparatively focused.
There’s a touch of solemnity to the tunes on Regions and rock band firepower is left out of the picture. Piano, organ and soulful grooves lead the way to the rumbles of the heart. Aromatic melodies draw you in to hear the protagonist’s personal intentions become thwarted expectations, and watch on as curiosity and perseverance leads to enlightenment.
The record’s title is thematically and musically represented. Dear One has a spiritual imperative, there’s gospel uplift to A New Life and throughout the production has cathedral-like resonance. Religiosity is lyrically significant although it’s not firmly scriptural or metaphorical. Centrally, there’s a relatable human struggle that makes the subject matter non-divisive.
The album sets up with State Of The Art’s modest piano chord progression, simple melodies and lyrical ruminations on the difficulty of balancing light and dark. Drums slide in with shining elasticity, evoking the possibilities of a new day, but it’s not a ladder to a pool party and there’s much to navigate around. Resolve statedly commences a few songs later on A New Life. The song develops from sombre acoustic guitar and reverberating vocals into a prancing R&B celebration. The vocal announcement “I want a new life” is amplified by Spector-like strings and a giddy-up momentum.
All Is Forgiven revolves around a minor-key organ riff and James grasps towards personal salvation, invoking the biblical tale of Christ dying for our sins. On the record’s ultimate tune God’s Love To Deliver the saviour-like compassion of Martin Luther King is referenced as a reminder of the potential for peaceful co-existence. Hazy instrumentation reflects ruptured personal relationships but the fragile glow of James’ voice, sitting somewhere in between Wayne Coyne and Elliott Smith, expresses revitalised acceptance.
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
Best Track: God’s Love To Deliver
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Songs in the Key of Life STEVIE WONDER, Berlin LOU REED, Blue Lines MASSIVE ATTACK
In A Word: Synthesis
