My Morning Jacket - Celebración De La Ciudad Natal

My Morning Jacket's recently released EP, Celebración De La Ciudad Natal, is a fantastic live display of all the glory that is MMJ. Not only do these country boys play their hearts out like no other live band I've heard in my life, but they do it for good reason. This EP was partially recorded at an independent record store, “ear-x-tacy” in Louisville, KY, and will only be released to independent record stores to honor and support such fine establishments.
The EP starts off with a song off of My Morning Jacket's newest album, the title track, “Evil Urges.” Strange keyboard sounds and Jim Jame's high wailing voice take to the center stage of the song straight away. Part way through the song the pace speeds up and gives way to a very energetic breakdown that leads back into the original jam before the song ends. “Highly Suspicious,” another tune off Evil Urges follows. “Highly Suspicious” is a raucous, animated tale of a paranoid drug user and his encounter with law enforcement officers that think he is, in fact, “highly suspicious.”
“Gideon” leads off with one of the most captivating guitar parts off any My Morning Jacket Song. The breakdown in the middle of song is a fantastic show of all instruments going above and beyond, backing Jim James and his voice, the signature and most unique instrument of MMJ. “Where to Begin” comes up next and digs into the country roots with slide and acoustic guitar and simple drums and bass. The lyrics add to the country feel as well: “My head takes a lickin', but my heart keeps on tickin' just the same / always startin' over but somehow I always know where to begin.”
A beautiful “Librarian” graces the ears with a soft acoustic piece, and eerie slide guitar in the background, with only a minor drum and bass line to keep time. “Librarian” is a beautiful love story-song, that goes beyond the normal cookie cutter love song.
“Phone Went West” is a classic My Morning Jacket song from earlier in their career, off At Dawn. With poppy instrumentals reminiscent of a little ska, a heartfelt guitar solo that shreds into the depths of the soul, and lyrics like “Tell me I'm wrong, tell me I'm right / tell me theirs nobody else in the world” how could you not melt? At the end of “Phone Went West” Jim James gives a short speech dedicated to the gratitude of My Morning Jacket's following, and welcoming new fans to the show. The speech leads into an epic “Dondante” weighing in at a whopping 14:31, and not a second wasted. The song starts off slow and a little melancholy with cymbals ringing out occasionally, dispersed chords ringing out here and there and the unearthly high pitched whine of Jim Jame's voice. A third of the way through the song, a guitar solo paves the way for a heavy progression into a new dimension of “Dondante.” After the heaviness dissipates, two guitar solos dance around each other in an extended improvisation backed by steady drums and driving bass, with a mild keyboard to pull it all together. Just when you think it is all over, a beautiful Saxophone solo takes the forefront. After this magnificent instrumental piece is finished, the song slowly rings out.
With such a great live EP release, My Morning Jacket is sure getting out their message that they support independent record stores. To quote Jim James “It's scary because a lot of towns are turning into Anytown, U.S.A., and you walk around, and you're like, 'where the f am I?” Remember kids, support your local record stores, Celebración De La Ciudad Natal is as good a reason as any.