Artists You Should Know: My Morning Jacket (MMJ)

Artists You Should Know: My Morning Jacket (MMJ)

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Read on for an introduction to one of my all-time favorite artists, My Morning Jacket, a timeless rock ‘n’ roll band.

Maybe I’m biased (much of my childhood was spent listening to MMJ), but I think MMJ is on par with Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Queen in terms of musicality, creativity, and lyricism.

Who is MMJ?

The band hails from Louisville, Kentucky and has had an impressive two-decade career. It’s hard to classify MMJ as simply a rock band; the band is constantly evolving and playing with different sounds. On any given song, you’ll hear tinges of country music, classic rock, indie rock, and folk.

Much of MMJ’s success comes from lead singer and songwriter, Jim James, who has had a fairly prolific solo career as well. His voice is incredibly distinctive and powerful. The lyrics he writes are nothing short of poetry and never fail to be thought-provoking.

Image result for jim james

My Favorite MMJ Songs

  • Big Decisions (2015)
  • In Its Infancy (The Waterfall) (2015)
  • Compound Fracture (2015)
  • Victory Dance (2011)
  • Circuital (2011)
  • Wonderful (The Way I Feel) (2011)
  • Outta My System (2011)
  • Evil Urges (2008)
  • I’m Amazed (2008)
  • Wordless Chorus (2005)
  • Gideon (2005) ****
  • Off The Record (2005)
  • One Big Holiday (2003)
  • Golden (2003)

**** An absolute must listen

Transformative Live Performance

Much of the magic MMJ comes when you see them perform live. I have had the privilege of seeing them live twice and I swear I’m not being overdramatic in saying that I have never been the same since.

You quickly realize that recordings of Jim James do not do him nearly enough justice; he is a powerhouse vocalist. Beyond that, the band has incredible stage presence. James is a hilarious character to watch. He has the weirdest/funniest/most captivating mannerisms, namely wearing a black cape and wacky sunglasses when he performs and staring blankly into the audience.

A much more eloquent description of their live performances: http://www.vinylmeplease.com/magazine/every-days-a-holiday-why-my-morning-jackets-live-show-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/

Poolside Jams

Poolside Jams

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Here’s what I’ll be listening to while napping/reading/tanning/playing Scrabble by the pool and beach over winter break:

Rap/RnB/Hip Hop

  1. Best Part (feat. H.E.R.) – Daniel Caesar
  2. Don’t Matter to Me (feat. Michael Jackson) – Drake
  3. Passionfruit – Drake
  4. Marvins Room – Drake
  5. SAN MARCOS – BROCKHAMPTON
  6. 90210 (feat. Kacy Hill) – Travis Scott
  7. Gonna Love Me – Teyana Taylor
  8. Issues/Hold On – Teyana Taylor
  9. Rose In Harlem – Teyana Taylor
  10. Hurry – Teyana Taylor
  11. The Weekend – SZA
  12. The Ways – Khalid, Swae Lee
  13. Drew Barrymore – SZA
  14. Prom – SZA
  15. Garden (Say It Like Dat) – SZA
  16. Pink + White – Frank Ocean
  17. Sweet Life – Frank Ocean
  18. Pyramids – Frank Ocean
  19. Forrest Gump – Frank Ocean
  20. coffee – Miguel
  21. leaves – Miguel
  22. Simple Things (Remix) – Miguel, Chris Brown, Future
  23. Suede – NxWorries
  24. The Bird – Anderson .Paak
  25. SUMMER – The Carters
  26. See You Again – Tyler, The Creator, Kali Uchis
  27. Violent Crimes – Kanye West
  28. Ex-Factor – Ms. Lauryn Hill
  29. Reality Check (feat. Akenya, Eryn Allen Kane) – Noname

Everything else

  1. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
  2. Let Me – ZAYN
  3. Toxic – Yael Naim
  4. Sea Of Love – Cat Power
  5. Honey – Robyn
  6. Across The Room (feat. Leon Bridges) – ODESZA
  7. River – Leon Bridges
  8. Mornin’ – Star Slinger
  9. Forever Always – Peter CottonTale, Rex Orange County, Chance The Rapper
  10. Morning – Francis and the Lights
  11. Friends (feat. Bon Iver) – Francis and the Lights
  12. Cigarettes and Coffee – Otis Redding
  13. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
  14. Constant Conversations – Passion Pit
  15. Moth’s Wings – Passion Pit
  16. I Need A Forest Fire – James Blake, Bon Iver
  17. Busy Earnin’ – Jungle
Play THIS in the car (December)

Play THIS in the car (December)

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  • Brother, Don’t You Know – Star Slinger
  • Lyla – Big Red Machine
  • I Won’t Run From It – Big Red Machine
  • Hard Place – H.E.R.
  • Sure Thing – Miguel
  • thank u, next – Ariana Grande
  • Ever Again – Robyn
  • Honey – Robyn
  • CHANCES – KAYTRANDA, Shay Lia
  • When Seasons Change – Curtis Mayfield
  • Best Friend – Rex Orange County
  • What Is It About Men – Amy Winehouse
  • Half Time – Amy Winehouse
  • I Want You – Erykah Badu
  • Cheyenne – Jason Derulo
  • I Jusswon – Anthony Russo
  • Work – Charlotte Day Wilson

For the hip-hop/rap enthusiasts:

  • REEL IT IN – Aminé
  • Tribe – Bas, J.Cole
  • The Man Who Has Everything – Chance the Rapper
  • No More Parties In L.A. – Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar
  • Look Back At It – A Boogie Wit da Hoodie
  • a lot – 21 Savage, J.Cole
  • Tap Out (feat. Jeremih) – Jay Rock
  • Self – Noname
  • Ace – Noname, Smino, Saba
  • asmr – 21 Savage
  • Sundress – A$AP Rocky
  • Potato Salad – A$AP Rocky, Tyler, The Creator
  • NOTHIN LIKE U (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – KAYTRANDA
  • Cheers (feat. Q-Tip) – Anderson .Paak
  • Tints (feat. Kendrick Lamar) – Anderson .Paak
  • Sweet Chick (feat. BJ The Chicago Kid) – Anderson .Paak
  • She – Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean
  • Ashley – Big Sean, Miguel
  • Shot For Me – Drake
  • L.M.F. – Smino
My Favorite Live Performances and Covers

My Favorite Live Performances and Covers

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There are a lot of good songs out there, but in my opinion, the true litmus test for a great song (and great artist) is its ability to move you emotionally when performed live. Many radio shows and Youtube channels now feature popular artists covering other popular artists’ songs and these covers have become my personal obsession. Here are some of my favorite live performances and covers in no particular order:

1. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of The Bay – Otis Redding Covered by A$AP Rocky

A$AP and Otis Redding seems like an extremely unnatural pairing, but here it works perfectly.

2. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt Covered by Bon Iver

Get the tissues ready. Absolutely beautiful.

3. Tyler, The Creator – NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

I love how this performance shows Tyler’s artistry while still being so fun to watch.

4. Sunday Candy – Chance the Rapper, Live at the White House

Try to watch this without smiling.

5. SAN MARCOS – BROCKHAMPTON

I was not a big fan of Brockhampton’s iridescence, but I found myself gravitating toward this song quite often. Hearing it live makes it ten times better.

6. Queen – Live Aid 1985 (Full Concert)

Not much needs to be said other than that FREDDIE MERCURY IS A LEGEND.

7. I Laugh When I’m With Friends But Sad When I’m Alone – 070 Shake

Her voice tells such a painful and beautiful story. Do yourself a favor and listen to the last 30 seconds on repeat.

8. Beyoncé – Coachella 2018

Whether you love or hate (???) Beyoncé, her performance at Coachella 2018 is undeniably one of the most dance-inducing, impressive, and well thought-out live performances ever.
December Workout (Cardio)

December Workout (Cardio)

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Running is hard, but good music makes it easier. Here’s what I’m sweating to this December:

SPOTIFY

  • Oh Baby – Seizo
  • Be Right There – Diplo, Sleepy Tom
  • Coco Puffs (feat. u.n.i) – Black Caviar
  • Drop That Booty – Antonio Giacca
  • You Know You Like It (Tchami Remix) – AlunaGeorge
  • Rolling (feat. Chrissy Quadros) – Tkdjs
  • Hold My Hand (Feenixpawl Remix) – Jess Glynne
  • Kill The Lights (Audien Remix) – Alex Newell, Jess Glynne, DJ Cassidy
  • Yeah Yeah Yeah – Jax Jones
  • LIKE I WOULD (Dave Audé Mix) – ZAYN
  • Take U There – Jack U, Kiesza

SOUNDCLOUD

  • Freak Body (Extended Dj Faith Mashup) – Chris Brown, Lil Dicky, Loud Luxury
  • Buy U a Drink (Mitto Bootleg) – T-Pain
  • No Levels (Solow and Zalem Hest Mashup) – Waka Flocka Flame, Avicii
  • Gecko (Ed Maquis Bootleg) – Oliver Heldens, Becky Hill
  • Just Friends (Jesse Bloch Bootleg) – Hayden James, Boy Matthews
  • Into You (James Bluck Remix) – Ariana Grande
  • Chun Li (Caked Up Remix) – Nicki Minaj
  • See It Again – Loud Luxury
December Workout (Squat/Pushups)

December Workout (Squat/Pushups)

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Need some aggressive/heavy bass songs to lift, squat, or pushup to? Here are the songs I’m sweating to this December:

SPOTIFY

  • Going Bad (feat. Drake) – Meek Mill
  • What’s Free (feat. Rick Ross and Jay-Z) – Meek Mill
  • Twerk (feat. Cardi B) – City Girls
  • Backin’ It Up (feat. Cardi B) – Pardison Fontaine
  • CAN’T SAY – Travis Scott
  • That’s How You Feel – Drake
  • No Long Talk – Drake, Giggs
  • All Day – Kanye West, Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom
  • Jesus Walks – Kanye West
  • Don’t Come Out The House – Metro Boomin, 21 Savage
  • Maria I’m Drunk – Travis Scott, Young Thug, Justin Bieber
  • A$AP Forever REMIX – A$AP Rocky, Moby, T.I., Kid Cudi
  • Electric Body – A$AP Rocky, ScHoolboy Q
  • 4th Dimension – KIDS SEE GHOSTS
  • Ride It – Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign
  • ZEZE – Kodak Black, Travis Scott, Offset
  • Look Back At It – A Boogie Wit da Hoodie

SOUNDCLOUD

  • Sicko Mode (ANGELZ Remix) – Travis Scott, Drake
  • U Mad (TOP $HELF Remix) – Vic Mensa, Kanye West
  • Cocoa Butter Kisses (feat. Vic Mensa and Twista) – Chance the Rapper
  • No Bystanders/Fefe Mashup – Travis Scott, Tekashi 6ix 9ine, Sir Foster