The Waterfall
by My Morning Jacket
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: May 4, 2015
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 54
  3. Negative: 1 out of 54
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  1. viachicago22
    May 5, 2015
    9
    Fantastic from start to finish. Their best since Z. Some great alt-country, some Jim James neo soul, some old school MMJ rockers, it checks all the boxes without ever feeling less than natural and authentic. Great lyrics and theme to this album too. In a word, listening to the waterfall is beautiful.
  2. BeauFuller
    May 5, 2015
    10
    Super fun and well rounded album. You've done it again MMJ. Thanks for the new memories! .
  3. exodus9237
    May 5, 2015
    8
    Great. Excellent. Their best album since Z. It is expansive, enjoyable and beautiful. The only thing this album does is assure that My Morning Jacket is here to stay, and it leaves you wanting more, and it's great because next year we will have more.
  4. vmwhelan
    May 13, 2015
    10
    Their best album since Z. Evil Urges was a major letdown and Circuital was good but not great. This one is different; it's definitely not the guitar heavy MMJ that we all got used to in the early to mid-00s, but it doesn't really matter. I think Jim James' work on his solo album probably played a big role in shaping the direction of the band for the recording of this album. If youTheir best album since Z. Evil Urges was a major letdown and Circuital was good but not great. This one is different; it's definitely not the guitar heavy MMJ that we all got used to in the early to mid-00s, but it doesn't really matter. I think Jim James' work on his solo album probably played a big role in shaping the direction of the band for the recording of this album. If you liked that you'll probably love this, as this is more of a refined/fully realized version of that. MMJ is back.… Expand
  5. hikeminds
    Jun 28, 2015
    10
    11 out of 10. An excellent album all the way through. Captures the diversity and range of the band's sound. What's more, the songs on this release exhibit a sense of thematic unity which one doesn't often find on My Morning Jacket's records. Album highlights include "Compound Fracture" and "In Its Infancy (The Waterfall)".
  6. timbsm2
    Aug 5, 2015
    10
    This is probably the best rock-oriented album I've heard in a decade or more. MMJ have found a really great progressive sound this time on a handful of standout tracks while still also presenting strong songs with their more traditional feel. The lyrics are strong throughout and, while seemingly dark at times, the album has a cohesive theme and is ultimately bright in it's overallThis is probably the best rock-oriented album I've heard in a decade or more. MMJ have found a really great progressive sound this time on a handful of standout tracks while still also presenting strong songs with their more traditional feel. The lyrics are strong throughout and, while seemingly dark at times, the album has a cohesive theme and is ultimately bright in it's overall outlook. Standouts are Compound Fracture, Like a River, In Its Infancy, and Spring, but every track plays it's part to make this album one to remember for a long time.… Expand
  7. Dday08
    Oct 6, 2015
    9
    Superb seventh album from the great My Morning Jacket. The Waterfall is their most refined and sharp album. It contains a little bit of everything. My favorites are Compound Fracture, Like a River, Get the Point, and Tropics.
  8. dispencer187
    Apr 5, 2016
    7
    Jim James did a little too many drugs for this one. I'm giving this one a 7 and I think that's being generous. A little too depressing for me on some songs. Some songs are thunderous though (tropics) and have me instantly wanting to learn the guitar riffs.
  9. bhsmall
    Jul 24, 2020
    9
    Quite a good album if you ask me. I enjoy the mix of the various styles from their previous releases but enhanced with additional instrumentation.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 6, 2015
    78
    "Get the Point" and "Big Decisions" strike a personal honesty James hasn't revealed before, and closer "Only Memories Remain" hearkens George Harrison as simultaneously devastating and uplifting. The personal is the universal.
    Read full review
  2. Magnet
    Jun 4, 2015
    80
    A beautiful mess. [No. 120, p.51]
  3. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    80
    Even amid its fluffy ornamentation, producer Tucker Martine spikes the players' innately epic capabilities with a puritan elixir. The rewards are considerable. [Jun 2015, p.84]
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