"Evil Urges" has blown me away. Hands-down the strangest, coolest, and best collection of songs I've heard in a long time, certainly this year. Simply incredible songwriting and performance. MMJ keep pushing the envelope. There's a lot of different influences going on such as their standard southern 60s/70s rock thing, but they've mixed in a little more funk (think Tone Loc/Prince on one track especially) and 70s/80s pop. Highly recommended.… Expand

MMJ are rocking out like only they can. This album grows on you and gets better with each play.

"Z" this is not...nor does it even come close. Pesonally, I consider this album as an attempt at a new MMJ sound that fails. The 9 rating I have given it is due to the fact that MMJ are one of the best bands making music today. The songs are solid, and better than 99% of music being created today, but again "Z", this is NOT.

After the first couple listens, I probably would've given it a 5 or 6. After a few more listens I would've bumped it up to a 7. Now, after listening to it probably 7-8 times it has finally settled into a solid 9. Each song is highly memorable with a variety of styles covered throughout the album. There's nothing as good as "Mahgeetah" or "One Big Holiday", but the trio of "Touch Me...Pt. 2", "Librarian", and "Sec Walkin" are all top-notch with "Highly Suspicious" being the only clunker (even if it's kinda fun in a dorky way).… Expand

This is a great album and deserving of a higher average. Very diverse and shows the band trying new things, which is always good for any artist. Although Highly Suspicious is the worst song they have ever made, Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Parts 1 and 2, Smokin From Shootin, Evil Urges and I'm Amazed are some of the best songs in their catalogue. These guys are great and I hope they continue to make fresh, innovative music like this for years to come.… Expand

If you had any interest in the band before now, hopefully you can appreciate how they are trying to expand their sound. It's not as consistent as their other records but if you give it a third, fourth, fifth listen; you'll find more than enough to keep your ears occupied for a long time. I admit that it took the Bonnaroo 08 show for me to finally like "Highly Suspicious." Now, it's one of my favorites!!… Expand

I think it's killer, unique in this day of so much sound alike ho-humness. These guys know how to explore and jam onstage where the real magic happens for them and the audience.

Jim and the boys prove that R&B, Soul, Funk and Country are all part of the mix we call Rock-n-Roll !ala Gram Parsons with his Cosmic American Music!

Confusing at first; the funk, the distancing from what they did in Z, and a little bit of a return to "It Still Moves" and "At Dawn." It's a grower though, and once it grabs you you'll realize the brilliance. You have to appreciate a band that can take giant leaps like this and be successful with it. Re-affirms why I'm a fan of this band.

Takes the sound the band reached for on Z and turns that sound into some beautiful pop songs.

This album will age very well... MMJ purists will certainly bash it, much like "Z". I say, go buy some Band of Horses albums, or just put "Amazed" on repeat... The beauty of this record is that it doesn't sound like "It Still Moves", and it doesn't sound like "Z". Sticking with these sounds would undoubtedly have garnered mild success... but would have been an empty endeavor for a band that knows that they are capable of much more. This album is the next logical step in the progression of MMJ. At first it seems as though it shifts through multiple genres, but after multiple listens you begin to appreciate that the musical themes are constant, individual tracks just bring different aspects to the forefront. This album sounds like nothing else out there now, and like nothing that has been done before. At first listen it seems pretentious and unfocused, but it's a grower for sure. Eventually you realize the record is not unfocused... you are. It's genius reveals itself when you allow yourself to stop attempting to label what you are hearing. (9.5/10) Note: All these songs were performed live at an instore appearance on the release date. They are all smokin' live.… Expand

Smooth comes in varieties that range from absolute to "ZebraEsque." These guys reallize that it's all about jonesing for the picture perfect, alternative mixture of old and new rhythms and blues with a healthy dose of modern sounding angst thrown in for the perfect reality check, and this all creates the perfect soundtrack for the next time your roadtrip includes Louisville, Cincy, and all the pillars and posts that may or may not rest on the horizon as your steering clearly down that highway of life.… Expand

Easily the most diverse album from MMJ. It is like a rollercoaster starting out at the top, but starts out strong and finishes with a pow. Touch Me I Am Going to Scream (both parts) are some the of the best music this year. Coming from MMJ, you knew it would be good, but this was a Peanut Butter Pudding Suprise. Truly Awesome album