(pair of mirrors)

#17. My Morning Jacket - Circuitual

“Outta My System”

To premise I have to admit to something. I discovered this album stumbling through Bonnaroo trying to get to the front of the biggest stage so that I would have an ideal view of Arcade Fire. As I waved my canadian flag on a stick, leading my pals through the throngs of people (I later learned having hit quite a number of people with said flag), I discovered My Morning Jacket. It isn’t that I hadn’t heard of or heard My Morning Jacket before, it was just that I’d never particularly appreciated their music. This was different. There was this incredible and undeniable energy pouring from the stage that—even without knowing any of the songs—pulled me in and made me want to dance and sing along. They were amazing! Seriously, if you ever get the chance to watch them live you definitely should.

Bonnaroo being wonderful as Bonnaroo is, I got distracted from this moment pretty quickly and it took me a few months to remember and actually purchase Circuital. When I first heard “Outta My System” I didn’t even realize it was the same band, because it sounded like it must have been something from the beach Boys era. But I loved it. And then I began to love the whole album. 

Circuital is this real and tough rock and roll album that simultaneously excels at poppy beach boy-esque hooks and soaring hymn-like fleet foxes style melodies. It’s kind of incredible. And beyond being such a wonderful combination of things, its also just a feel good album. It’s hard not to like it. 

So, knowing that this band is fantastic live, to an audience that knows their work or not, a feel good beach boys meets fleet foxes meets southern rock obviously deserves a spot on the top 20! Give it a listen if you haven’t already! 

-M