This album starts off with “Just A Fool”, and right off the bat like I said earlier, this is strangely heavier for Jim. I mean, it’s not HEAVY, but it’s got a really slick and bluesy guitar line and some seriously psychedelic vibes. And honestly, alongside this very low-fi production, this is a bold new venture for Jim. His very relaxed, bluesy vocals bring things down and make things a lot easier to swallow for older fans. But I honestly absolutely adore this track all around. It’s hazy, but Jim also sounds totally coherent. Also, this is lyrically such a departure from the very spiritual direction he’s been going for lately. It’s a very bold new sound, but I really am into it. This is the guitar jam I didn’t know I wanted from Jim James. Then we have “You Get To Rome” which is a serious wake-up call. That first track may not have been heavy by heavy standards. But this one, on the other hand, it. It comes off like this absolutely blaring and anthemic Psych Rock track from the 70’s. But outside of that, the very Low Fi production and these soulful backing vocals, this is awesome. It’s a completely new sound for Jim, but he sounds totally in control of it. And you may argue that this is a far cry from what Jim’s been doing lately, and he already had a pretty solid sound. But this track sounds unbelievable. My only worry is that some might not be quite as into this production. Now, “Out Of Time” does seem to stroll more in the direction of My Morning Jacket, as we get a lot of the same elements of other tracks here. But this has even hazier production, and maybe some subtle Southern influences. It’s a little hard to keep track of because this one jumps around as much as it does between more picked up verses and more jammy parts as well. And it’s alright, I’m not as into this as some of the other tunes here. But Jim continues to push on with this wild new sound for him, and it’s just bizarre and refreshing to hear these wild guitar solos present. One track I have absolutely nothing bad to say about though is “Throwback”. This one in a way comes off like some lost track from Jefferson Airplane. Jim’s performance is just so ridiculously passionate and heartfelt, without leaving any of the coolness out in the rain. It’s a surprisingly incredibly epic track, with these very lavish backing vocals alongside this seriously retro atmosphere. Nothing comes off cheesy or gimmicky though, and this just comes off like a really fantastic Jim James tune. Now, the guitar solo here may not be as wild as the last few tracks, but it’s just as soulful and genuinely emotional. I literally have nothing bad to say about this track, it almost gives me the chills.
Then we have “No Secrets”, and I continue to get the chills listening to some of these guitar riffs. Absolute chills my friends It’s bluesy, but the very hazy production continues to make this come off like a relic of sorts. I love Jim’s very emotional performance, and those backing vocals continue to just be so tasteful. It’s sweet though, and there certainly is the sincerity of Jim James early work being showed off wonderfully within this. And this one also does strip things down massively, especially after some of the legitimate rockers we’ve gotten here. Meaning, if you haven’t been into some of the earlier tracks here, this may be something you want to check out. It’s an emotional throwback jam that I don’t have anything but great things to say about. Plus, the feeling of nostalgia here is ridiculous, these are tracks that honestly sound like ones you’ve heard somewhere. Now, “Yes To Everything” is the first track here that I’m not into in some extent. I like this much more off the rails and truly wild bluesy vibe to this one. Which on paper, sounds brilliant, and something I’d totally be into. But some of Jim’s vocals here, are you kidding? Way too often some of his inflections are just plain goofy and seems like he’s almost putting on an act. This whole track just seems insincere, which is depressing after just how true to form this album has been so far. “No Use Waiting” rolls on in a much more sluggish direction, and has this gigantic electric Blues feeling. Like, there’s almost a Queens of the Stone Age feel to this track, like “Lullabies to Paralyze” era. It’s strangely sleazy, but still has that super retro tinge to it. But man, where did all that sincerity go? This album started as such a tasteful throwback to these sounds. But this just sounds like a who's who of any current artist trying desperately to sound a little retro. Sadly, it’s not nearly the Blues epic that Jim meant it to be. At the very least, “All In Your Head” has Jim playing with a little passion once again. It's not nearly as grand os as epic as some of the early tracks here, and the production here is spotty in parts. But I’ll be damned if this one at least gets Jim back in my good graces. It’s catchy, hazy, and totally right up Jim’s alley. I just wish Jim took this one step further and made this come off like some really lost relic instead of just another wishy-washy sort of retro tune. However for one of THOSE tracks, this works really well for Jim, and he pulls together a really hypnotic, genuinely interesting track.
Jim rages on with “Better Late Than Never”. And I’m sorry, I know this one is cheesy as anything. But this one I can’t say no too, at all. This is just so snappy and sounds off like some lost vintage Pop song. But it’s done super tastefully, and this ends up being really fun. Hell, I don’t even mind that this is less than 2-minute, it really reels you back in. It’s upbeat, and seriously just a blast, and Jim sounds brilliant in this atmosphere. And “Over and Over” is a really nice, very confident bluesy rocker. Now, I honestly feel like this one does sound a little thrown together, and it’s a little repetitive. But outside of that, this is just fine. It’s got a grimy riff, and Jim sounds solid on vocals. I do have to say though, I don’t have a lot of complaints with this album, I really don’t. But I do sort of wish this album didn’t come off like a greatest hits collection or another covers album. This isn’t bad though. Now, overall this is a really decent album from Jim. But on the other hand, “Too Good To Be True” is a little iffy. Like, I get what Jim was going for, and this track comes off immensely powerful and grand, and Jim’s performance is certainly eye-opening. But nothing about this track comes off organic and comes off like a traditional cover. Which yea, is totally fine. But with all the great ideas on this album, it just seems a little cheap. I do like the very smokey atmosphere here though, Jim’s stunning vocals, and the wonderful vocals. I just wish this came off a little more like some actual new material.
Rating: 7.8/10
Give A Listen To: “You Get to Rome”, “Throwback”, “No Secrets”, “Better Late Than Never”
Least Favorite Track: “No Use Waiting”
Genre: Indie Rock / Garage Rock / Psychedelic Rock / Blues Rock
Overall Thoughts: My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James returns with a brand new sound and style. Gone in his stripped-down, spiritual Psych Folk, and in its place is this Low-Fi Psych Rock worship that actually comes off pretty awesome. This album is filled with passionate performances, and when it’s done right this album comes off like a real lost classic. There’s also often a great sense of nostalgia like you’ve encountered these songs somewhere, which gives this album such a cool aesthetic. But, sadly, there are a few moments where this album comes off like a covers compilation or some sort of “Greatest Hits” collection. Like, these tracks literally sound like they were thrown together because they sound similar. And that’s fine, but it does lead to some moments that just make me wish that they had some similar ideas. Jim James is onto something really cool with this sound, but it’s not there quite yet.
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