For some reason, I was under the impression that My Morning Jacket were Austrailian. If anyone can guess who I was thinking off, I will award some kind of prize, as it’s now irritating me no end.Pointless anecdotes aside, My Morning Jacket are American, and Evil Urges is the band’s third album with the current line-up, which does appear to change on almost an annual basis. Repetitively named singer Jim James has been present from the outset, and it’s his ethereal, sometimes falsetto, always unusual vocals that underpins MMJ’s sound.The album really kicks off on track three, ‘Highly Suspicious’, as ridiculously high vocals are mixed with a low rumbling Nick Cave/ Tom Waits style response line, heavy guitars mixed with the odd solo, bizarre maniacal laughing in the background, and a general theatrical feel. The tracks that follows are far more ‘ordinary’, drawing on the Eagles ‘solid’ song writing, and it feels as though the band aren’t really stretching themselves at all.‘Sec Walkin’’ could’ve been written any time in the last 40 years or so, and by any classic American rock band, and makes MMJ sound a lot older than they really are. Compare it with other tracks on Evil Urges and it’s like listening to a different album.It’s the more interesting glimpses into what MMJ are really capable that make this album all the more frustrating. While ‘Highly Suspicious’ is inventive and exciting, it only serves to make the rest of the album seem more dull. Their retro brand is simply that ”“ retro. Too simple, too clichéd. ‘Librarian’ liven things up a bit ”“ there seems to be some real passion behind the detailed, intricate lyrics, the rhythms between the guitar and cymbal need a second listen to be full appreciated, and the trembling strings that develop later bring a melancholic, longing feel to the track.‘Aluminium Park’ is also a good track ”“ more upbeat, retro but still sounding fresh, some true, rock and roll squeals from Jim James, and a general swagger about it. Again though, it’s a rose amongst more than two thorns. ‘Remnants’ which follows, is also a big tune, and the band gain momentum, sounding more and more confident as it progresses. It’s got the bravado with the skills to back it up, crossing Manic Street Preachers with Springsteen via some eighties rock classics.Evil Urges really is a case of some good, some not so good. There are some truly great tracks on this album, and there are some truly dire ones. What’s most frustrating though is the way they sit side by side, and when a flash of brilliance is dangled, it’s snatched away again by the next track. Granted the exploration of musical genres reaches far and wide, but some of these explorations should’ve remained undiscovered. 45%[Download Evil Urges]Links My Morning Jacket [official site] [myspace]