Urges is front-loaded with the "new direction" material.... The second half of the album largely abandons techno trickery and soul balladry for the lush alt-country fans have come to expect. [Spring 2008, p.91]
The album that got me into My Morning Jacket. While some have criticized the sound of Evil Urges as being too diverse and lacking in focus, IThe album that got me into My Morning Jacket. While some have criticized the sound of Evil Urges as being too diverse and lacking in focus, I find it actually does a perfect job of capturing the magic of MMJ: namely, the band's ability to shape-shift on the fly, offering disparate sounds that are nonetheless compelling and always anchored by Jim James' incomparable voice.…Expand
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." 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.…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 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
It doesn't touch the masterful Z, but it is a good album overall. Some songs bog the album down, especially in the middle section (Thank It doesn't touch the masterful Z, but it is a good album overall. Some songs bog the album down, especially in the middle section (Thank you too, Sec Walkin') but the ending and most of the beginning make up for the missteps. Best tracks are: Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Part 1 &2, Aluminum Park, Smokin' from Shootin'.…Expand
This album is one of my favorite by them i dont get why everyone hates it come on smoking from shooting touch me im going to scream part 1 andThis album is one of my favorite by them i dont get why everyone hates it come on smoking from shooting touch me im going to scream part 1 and 2 evil urges !? those songs and alot of the other ones are really good on this album…Expand
Evil Urges is a major misfire and a hugely disappointing follow-up to the universally adored 'Z'. MMJ have taken some artistic risks withEvil Urges is a major misfire and a hugely disappointing follow-up to the universally adored 'Z'. MMJ have taken some artistic risks with this album and unfortunately none of the experimentation works. "Highly Suspicious" sounds completely out of character and is poor homage to Prince. Overall the album is a patchy collection of their weakest songs shifting uneasily between different influences. Such a shame though, as a "Z' was clearly one of the finest albums of the 00's…Expand
This is the far and away the worst thing I've heard in years. Aping Prince, Peaches & Herb and Christopher Cross does not make this This is the far and away the worst thing I've heard in years. Aping Prince, Peaches & Herb and Christopher Cross does not make this their most comprehensive album yet, but rather their most reprehensible. I still can't wrap my head around how absolutely atrocious "Highly Suspicious" is, though it's the only track that stands out in a bleary sea of muddled soft pop. Jim James' incomparable voice has long been the most appealing aspect of this band and it's been flushed in favor of half-hearted falsetto for much of the album. Do not listen to this disc without a jug of ear bleach nearby.…Expand