Search - My Morning Jacket :: Acoustic Citsuoca: Live at the Startime Pavilion

Very personal experience

Howlinw | California, USA | 01/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always had a very personal experience with this band, from the day I purchased "At Dawn" and realized that for once the hype was real. I hate hype, I hate hyped bands, I have had trouble getting into, say, Radiohead, because of all these critics and knee-jerk fans who insist on prattling on forever about how [insert band here] will alter how we perceive our universe. I would gladly stop reading the press on bands, except for the fact that I am somewhat of a hypocrite and have to rely on somebody to inform me about new music as it comes out because there's no other way to find new music beyond word of mouth. So there.



Anyways, so I avoid hyped bands unless and until I find out that the hype was warranted. Here, we have the real deal at its, well, realest. Jim James has an amazing voice that echoes and resonates even without the reverb effects he so commonly uses. That voice is the center of the music and gives it a plainspoken honesty that makes it touching and comforting even when I don't know what he's actually singing about. I found this disc at an indie record shop and spent a lot of time driving around listening to it, travelling to work and to meet friends in somewhat far-flung locations around San Diego county. I've had it on while driving through barren hills, crowded freeways, urban areas, you name it. Consequently it makes me think of roads when I hear it, and travel. And empty stretches of highway. It is completely timeless, could have been recorded in 1965 as easily as now. I'd almost dare say that this live disc is a classic.



The fact that I have already written two paragraphs of review material about a 25-minute performance should tell you something. Something beyond the fact that I am bored tonight. This is a really great album, worthy of many listens, preferably while driving. I wonder what's on TV?"

Awesome

tweedyfarrar | here | 04/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This EP was what made me an MMJ fan for life. While the songs with the band "The Bear" and "Sooner" are good and terrific live performance, its when the band leaves the stage to Jim James that the EP really defines itself. Alone with his acoustic guitar and his indescribable, plaintively melancholy voice Jim James causes the hair on the back of your neck to stand straight up. "Bermuda Highway", "Golden", and the final track "Hopefully" are all truely awesome. Both his rythym guitar style and his vocals are reminiscent of Neil Young and Jim James is just as capable of holding a listeners rapt attention with merely a guitar and his voice. Though only 5 tracks, this EP is truely a bargain."

A Voice to make the Heart ache!

Stewart McLendon | Little Rock, AR | 01/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jim James and company come out and blow me away with slowly-building, rockers that become intense jams from the Kentucky hillsides. His voice on the little I heard before this EP was enhanced and made the music even more special. This unaltered singing brought tears to my eyes at times and a stupid grin on my face. Get this if you can!"