Z (My Morning Jacket album)

Last updated
Z
My Morning Jacket - Z.jpg
Studio album by
My Morning Jacket
ReleasedOctober 4, 2005 (2005-10-04)
StudioAllaire Studios, Shokan, New York, United States
Genre
Length47:00
Label ATO
Producer
My Morning Jacket chronology
Acoustic Citsuoca
(2004)		Z
(2005)		 Evil Urges
(2008)
Singles from Z
  1. "Off the Record"
    Released: 2005
  2. "Gideon"
    Released: 2006

Z is the fourth studio album by psychedelic rock band My Morning Jacket. This collection features a much spacier and more polished sound than previous releases, making heavy use of synthesizers throughout and incorporating reggae and dub influences. The heavy reverb that was a defining characteristic of the band's prior recordings is largely absent. The songs on the album are more focused and shorter compared to the band's previous albums.

Contents

A double-live album, Okonokos , was recorded at the end of the Z Tour and was released on September 26, 2006; it features live versions of eight of Z's 10 songs.

In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 457 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The magazine has also ranked the album 31st on its list of the 100 best albums of the 2000s and 23rd of the 40 greatest stoner albums ever.

Background and production

In September 2003, My Morning Jacket released its third album It Still Moves . [4] It was the band's first album to be released by ATO Records. [5] It Still Moves was well received by critics and peaked at number two on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States. [4] [6] During the subsequent tour, guitarist Johnny Quaid and keyboardist Danny Cash quit the band on amicable terms, and were replaced by guitarist Carl Broemel and keyboardist Bo Koster. [7] Drummer Patrick Hallahan said that while the arrival of new members put the band in an awkward position, it was also a liberating experience. "We thought, 'Let's take ourselves out of our element.'" [5]

For the next My Morning Jacket album, the band members wanted to experiment with unique arrangements and a greater usage of musical soundscapes when compared to their previous albums. [8] Vocalist Jim James said the band went out of their comfort zone, and decided to record the album at the remote Allaire Studios in the Catskill Mountains instead of in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. According to bassist Tom Blankenship: "We had been talking for years about really locking ourselves in when we did an album, and now there was no excuse but to be in the studio all the time. You'd wake up and have breakfast and grab your coffee and walk into the control room." [9]

Z was the first My Morning Jacket album to have a professional producer. James had previously produced every album, which he said was out of pride. [8] Before the recording sessions began, James met producer John Leckie, who was known for his work with bands such as Pink Floyd and Radiohead. Leckie was also a tape operator on the George Harrison album All Things Must Pass , one of James' favorite albums. [10] James said Leckie's perspective as an outsider played a pivotal role in the production of the album. According to James: "Sometimes when everybody in the band is just there, you know, people don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, or you might think that it was a good take because everyone is tired. We really learned the value of having another ear there." [8]

Composition

This album was seen by reviewers as a shift in the musical genre of the band and vocal style of James, in part due to working with John Leckie and the inclusion of genres such as reggae on "Off the Record". [11] [12]

Digital rights management

The CD was one of the more high-profile releases in 2005 featuring digital rights management technology to prohibit owners from playing the music on a computer or creating digital copies. United States pressings of this CD contain MediaMax CD-3 by SunnComm. [13] The band's manager, Mike Martinovich, expressed their dissatisfaction with the technology and it was abandoned on subsequent releases. [14] The band themselves provided information on their website about how to bypass the software, and also offered to burn individual copies of the album for fans, free of copy-protection software. [15]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 90/100 [16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [17]
Entertainment Weekly A− [2]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [19]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [20]
NME 9/10 [21]
Pitchfork 7.6/10 [11]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [22]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [23]
Spin A− [24]

The album was the second highest rated album of 2005 according to Metacritic, behind Sufjan Stevens' Illinois ; the album has a total score of 90 out of 100. [25]

Technically, both Z and Illinois were tied for the highest Metacritic rating in 2005, with a score of 90 each. However, the score for Illinois was based on a larger overall number of reviews: 40, compared to 31 for Z. [26]

Online music magazine Pitchfork Media placed Z at number 146 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s, calling it My Morning Jacket's OK Computer . [27] In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 457 on its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. [28] The magazine has also ranked the album 31st on its list of the 100 best albums of the 2000s [29] and 23rd of the 40 greatest stoner albums ever. [30] In March 2022, the album ranked at number 1 on WFPK Louisville's "Top 500 Albums of the 2000's Countdown" which was conducted by a public poll. [31]

Track listing

All songs written by Jim James, except where noted:

  1. "Wordless Chorus" – 4:12
  2. "It Beats 4 U" – 3:46
  3. "Gideon" – 3:39
  4. "What a Wonderful Man" – 2:25
  5. "Off the Record" (James, Tom Blankenship, Patrick Hallahan) – 5:33
  6. "Into the Woods" – 5:21
  7. "Anytime" – 3:56
  8. "Lay Low" – 6:05
  9. "Knot Comes Loose" – 4:02
  10. "Dondante" – 8:01

The U.S. and Japanese pressing of the album contains the B-side "Chills"; digital copies include the other b-side "How Could I Know" (length 5:27) as well.

Personnel

My Morning Jacket

Additional musicians and technical personnel

Artwork

Release history

Release formats for Z
RegionDateLabelFormatCatalog
WorldwideOctober 4, 2005 Badman LP 947
United States ATO/RCA Compact Disc 71067
Europe BMG 21448
United StatesATO21601
Japan BMG21448
200624078†
United States2008ATOLP8808821601
United StatesAugust 21, 2020 [32] ATO2×LP, purple vinyl†

†This edition includes the bonus track "Chills"

Related Research Articles

<i>Siamese Dream</i> 1993 studio album by the Smashing Pumpkins

Siamese Dream is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993, by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Butch Vig and frontman Billy Corgan. Despite its recording sessions being fraught with difficulties and tensions, Siamese Dream debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, and was eventually certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with the album selling over six million copies worldwide, catapulting the Smashing Pumpkins to mainstream success and cementing them as a significant group in alternative music.

<i>The Black Album</i> (Jay-Z album) 2003 studio album by Jay-Z

The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on November 14, 2003, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. It was advertised as his final album before retiring, which is also a recurring theme throughout the songs, although Jay-Z resumed his recording career in 2005. For the album, Jay-Z wanted to enlist a different producer for each song, working with Just Blaze, Kanye West, the Neptunes, Eminem, DJ Quik, Timbaland, 9th Wonder and Rick Rubin, among others. The album also features a guest appearance by Pharrell Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spoon (band)</span> American rock band

Spoon is an American rock band from Austin, Texas, consisting of members Britt Daniel, Jim Eno (drums), Alex Fischel, Gerardo Larios and Ben Trokan. The band was formed in Austin in October 1993 by Daniel and Eno. Critics have described the band's musical style as rock and roll, post-punk, and art rock.

<i>The Blueprint</i> 2001 studio album by Jay-Z

The Blueprint is the sixth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on September 11, 2001, through Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. Its release was set a week earlier than initially planned in order to combat bootlegging. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2001 at Manhattan Center Studios and Baseline Studios in New York City. Contrasting the radio-friendly sound of Jay-Z's previous work, The Blueprint features soul-based sampling and production handled primarily by Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Bink, as well as Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Eminem, who also contributes the album's sole guest feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Morning Jacket</span> American rock band

My Morning Jacket is an American rock band formed in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1998. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Jim James, bassist Tom Blankenship, drummer Patrick Hallahan, guitarist Carl Broemel, and keyboardist Bo Koster. The band's sound, rooted in rock and country, is often experimental and psychedelic. The group amassed a following beginning in the 2000s in part due to their live performances.

<i>It Still Moves</i> 2003 studio album by My Morning Jacket

It Still Moves is the third album by the rock band My Morning Jacket. The album garnered positive reviews and is often considered the band's best work alongside Z. The song "Run Thru" is included in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitar Songs". The album also marks the first appearance of drummer Patrick Hallahan, as well as the final appearances of guitarist Johnny Quaid and keyboardist Danny Cash.

<i>At Dawn</i> 2001 studio album by My Morning Jacket

At Dawn is the second studio album by American rock band My Morning Jacket. Produced by group frontman Jim James, the album was released on April 6, 2001 by Darla Records. The Kentucky-based group had begun several years prior when James needed an outlet for folky, acoustic songs. Its first album for independent label Darla, 1999's The Tennessee Fire, attracted a devoted following in the Netherlands, prompting the young band to tour heavily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim James</span> American musician

James Edward Olliges Jr., professionally known as Jim James or Yim Yames, is an American vocalist, guitarist, producer, and primary songwriter of the rock band My Morning Jacket. He has also released several solo albums.

<i>Okonokos</i> 2006 live album by My Morning Jacket

Okonokos is a live album and concert film by the American band My Morning Jacket released on October 31, 2006. The album was recorded during the band's fall 2005 Z Tour, over two nights at The Fillmore in San Francisco, California. This is the first My Morning Jacket album for which frontman Jim James does not receive a production credit; he is credited for "concept/story".

<i>Sound of Silver</i> 2007 studio album by LCD Soundsystem

Sound of Silver is the second studio album by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. The album was released jointly through DFA and Capitol Records in the United States and EMI elsewhere, first on March 12, 2007, in the United Kingdom. Sound of Silver was produced by the DFA and recorded during 2006 at Long View Farm in North Brookfield, Massachusetts and DFA Studios in New York City, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem song)</span> 2007 song by LCD Soundsystem

"All My Friends" is a song by American rock band LCD Soundsystem. It was released as the second single from their second studio album Sound of Silver on May 28, 2007 and was written by Pat Mahoney, James Murphy, and Tyler Pope. The song received acclaim from critics and has appeared on many year-end and all time lists. It peaked at #41 on the UK Singles Chart. B-sides for the single include covers of the song by Scottish indie rock band Franz Ferdinand and former Velvet Underground member John Cale. The song was featured on the trailer for the 2024 movie IF.

<i>Evil Urges</i> 2008 studio album by My Morning Jacket

Evil Urges is the fifth studio album by My Morning Jacket. It was released by ATO Records on June 10, 2008. The album was nominated for the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, ultimately losing to Radiohead's In Rainbows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Broemel</span> American rock musician

Carl Broemel is an American rock musician. He currently plays guitar, pedal steel guitar, saxophone and sings back-up vocals for the Louisville, Kentucky band My Morning Jacket. He played guitar in the pop/rock band Old Pike and in the alternative pop/rock band Silvercrush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Off the Record (My Morning Jacket song)</span> 2005 song by My Morning Jacket

"Off the Record" is a single from Louisville, Kentucky indie rock band My Morning Jacket released in October, 2005 by ATO Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Koster</span> American musician

Bo Koster is an American keyboardist and record producer. He is best known for his work as a member of the band My Morning Jacket and as a touring musician with Roger Waters and Ray LaMontagne.

<i>Early Recordings</i> (My Morning Jacket album series) 2004 compilation album by My Morning Jacket

Early Recordings is a compilation album series by Louisville, Kentucky rock band My Morning Jacket. It was released in 2004 on Darla Records. The two constituent albums, called chapters, are called The Sandworm Cometh and Learning respectively. Danny Cash created the graphic design to both albums and played bass and keyboard on the second. J. Glenn performed drums for the series and Johnny Quaid played guitar. "Two-Tone" Tommy played bass for the first album, but Quaid took over for the second.

<i>Circuital</i> 2011 studio album by My Morning Jacket

Circuital is the sixth studio album by American rock band My Morning Jacket. It was released on May 31, 2011.

<i>The Waterfall</i> (album) 2015 studio album by My Morning Jacket

The Waterfall is the seventh studio album by American rock band My Morning Jacket. Produced by Tucker Martine and group frontman Jim James, the album was released on May 4, 2015 by ATO Records and Capitol Records. After touring 2011’s Circuital (2011), for two years the band took a break before regrouping in late 2013 to begin work on The Waterfall, a process which took eighteen months.

<i>The Waterfall II</i> 2020 studio album by My Morning Jacket

The Waterfall II is the eighth studio album by American rock band My Morning Jacket, released on July 10, 2020. Made up of recordings made in 2013 that also produced the 2015 release The Waterfall, this psychedelic pop work has received positive reviews from critics.

<i>My Morning Jacket</i> (album) 2021 studio album by My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket is the ninth studio album by American rock band My Morning Jacket, released on October 22, 2021, through ATO Records. The album was preceded by the release of the single "Regularly Scheduled Programming".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "My Morning Jacket: Z | Tiny Mix Tapes". tinymixtapes.com. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Sinclair, Tom (October 3, 2005). "Z". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  3. ↑ Weiss, Jeff (April 16, 2008). "Why My Morning Jacket Is the Best Live Band in the World". LA Weekly . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Leahey, Andrew (n.d.). "My Morning Jacket Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Wappler, Margaret (April 26, 2008). "My Morning Jacket weathers it". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  6. ↑ Staff (June 24, 2005). "My Morning Jacket Stretches Out On 'Z'". Billboard . Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  7. ↑ Dansby, Andrew (January 21, 2004). "Two Quit My Morning Jacket". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 Johnson, Brian F. (October 1, 2005). "My Morning Jacket takes a less-is-more approach with latest, Z". Marquee. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  9. ↑ Rogulewski, Charley (October 11, 2005). "My Morning Jacket Rise Up". Rolling Stone . Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  10. ↑ Morse, Steve (October 14, 2005). "My Morning Jacket wears its diverse influences well". The Boston Globe . Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  11. 1 2 Deusner, Stephen M. (October 6, 2005). "My Morning Jacket: Z". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  12. ↑ Mendelsohn, Jason; Klinger, Eric (June 19, 2015). "Counterblaance: My Morning Jacket – Z". PopMatters . Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Are You Infected by Sony-BMG's Rootkit?". Electronic Frontier Foundation. 8 November 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  14. ↑ Brian Hiatt (2005-12-31). "Copy-Protection Troubles Grow". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 2009-02-02. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  15. ↑ James Montgomery (2005-12-16). "My Morning Jacket Tackle Copy-Protection Software Problems - By Burning CDs For Fans". MTV. Archived from the original on January 30, 2006. Retrieved 2010-04-23.
  16. ↑ "Reviews for Z by My Morning Jacket". Metacritic . Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  17. ↑ Loftus, Johnny. "Z – My Morning Jacket". AllMusic . Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  18. ↑ Peschek, David (October 21, 2005). "My Morning Jacket, Z". The Guardian . Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  19. ↑ Cromelin, Richard (October 2, 2005). "It's easy to like cut of this Jacket". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  20. ↑ "My Morning Jacket: Z". Mojo (143): 96. October 2005.
  21. ↑ Martin, Rick (October 25, 2005). "My Morning Jacket: Z". NME . Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  22. ↑ "My Morning Jacket: Z". Q (232): 127. November 2005.
  23. ↑ Fricke, David (October 20, 2005). "My Morning Jacket: Z". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on January 30, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  24. ↑ Beaujon, Andrew (October 2005). "My Morning Macket: Z". Spin . 21 (10): 133. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  25. ↑ "My Morning Jacket: Z (2005)". Metacritic . Retrieved 2008-08-30.
  26. ↑ "Best Music and Albums for 2005". Metacritic. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  27. ↑ "The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 200-151". Pitchfork Media . September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  28. ↑ Wenner, Jann S., ed. (2012). Rolling Stone - Special Collectors Issue - The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. USA: Wenner Media Specials. ISBN   978-7098934196
  29. ↑ "100 Best Albums of the 2000s". Rolling Stone . 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  30. ↑ "The 40 Greatest Stoner Albums". Rolling Stone . 7 June 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  31. ↑ Meredith, Kyle (25 March 2022). "Top 500 Albums of the 2000's Countdown". WFPK.org.
  32. ↑ Bloom, Madison (August 5, 2020). "My Morning Jacket Announce Vinyl Reissue of 2005 Album Z". Pitchfork Media . Retrieved August 5, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.