My Morning Jacket
is a four-piece band from Louisville, KY, led by
singer/songwriter
Jim James
. The songs on
Tennessee Fire
(
Darla
1999) evoke warm (and somewhat lonely) memories of a gothic country night. Electric and acoustic guitars, harmonica, lap-steel, drums and bass all join his unique (
Neil Young
meets
Wayne Coyne
) voice in a huge pool of reverb. At first you wonder if the sound will overtake the songs, but after the first chorus you realize that the beauty of these simple and emotive songs is only enhanced by the addition of this effect, and by the end of the first song, you can't even tell that it's there. Released to (world) wide critical acclaim,
provides proof (200 proof) that heartfelt American music is alive and well, and living in KY. A must for anyone who loves the sound of
alt-country
mixed with wide-open spaces. ~ Terrance Miles