June 1, 2011

Album Review: My Morning Jacket - 'Circuital'

A timely sixth album from the stoner-psych quintet

7 / 10 That the line “They told me not to smoke drugs but I wouldn’t listen” appears on My Morning Jacket’s sixth album will come as no surprise to those familiar with this Kentucky quintet’s substantial stoner-psych oeuvre. Following more than a decade in the game, MMJ’s ‘Circuital’ seems to have timed its arrival perfectly. It’s occurred as fellow fans of open highway harmonics Fleet Foxes have recently scampered to the top end of the UK charts.

A similar slide into the mainstream for Jim James and co certainly wouldn’t be out of the question – not least because ‘Circuital’, despite stiff competition, is possibly their most impressive work to date. The rolling, euphoric title track makes for a majestic seven-and-a-half minutes, while ‘Holdin On To Black Metal’ sees them fly their playground freak-funk flag, before paying homage to their roots in the tender Southern waltz, ‘Movin Away’. It’s all so much more than simply the soundtrack to a night in with a massive bifter.

Leonie Cooper

Order a copy of My Morning Jacket's 'Circuital' from Amazon