The best rock ‘n’ roll is the musical incarnation of a huge melting pot: elements of blues, country, soul, funk, gospel, folk and whatever else is lying around, thrown together and stirred around into a potent stew. The music of My Morning Jacket is one of the tastiest dishes you can find, every spoonful delicious in a different way.
MMJ’s bass covers the full spectrum from groovy and elastic to ominous and rumbling; guitars play fiery blues licks, gentle acoustic patterns, or churning climbing runs with equal verve; there are horns, strings, organs—you name it. And lead singer Jim James adapts himself to whatever stellar sounds are bubbling up behind him. Of course, we have a pair of lawn tickets to give away for their show at Merriweather Post Pavilion this Friday (8/12).
My Morning Jacket also happens to have a reputation as one of the best live bands around. In 2008, they played a set at Bonaroo—an environment famous for impressive, lengthy sets—that is said to have redefined epic. At the time, Stereogum summed it up nicely in an article headlined “My Morning Jacket Own. Everything.” Come be owned (the talented and versatile Neko Case opens) on Friday.
For a chance to win the tickets, tell us in the comments below, a song that owns.
It doesn’t have to be an MMJ song, but we nominate their newest, “Holdin on to Black Metal” from this year’s Circuital release.
The winner will be chosen Thursday (8/11) at noon.
