Waterfall, The

“The Waterfall” My Morning Jacket
This is the 7th LP from Jim James and My Morning Jacket. Released earlier in 2015 to solid reviews, the songs vary from synth-infused 80s pop-rock to prog- and arena-rock. Integrated throughout this creative collection are a number of other musical influences including acoustic folk, folk-rock (from the band’s earlier days) and even 1970s-style soul or R&B. The album was recorded in Northern California, and the posterized waterfall image on the cover was almost certainly taken at Yosemite or elsewhere in the High Sierra. There’s so much variety in the 14-song set (15 tracks, but one is blank) that you’re almost certain to find several you like.
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, 9, 5, 12. No FCCs detected.

1. (4:55) Believe (Nobody Knows) – Starts like an orchestral-rock epic. Becomes an anthem that you’ll hear opening the band’s shows for years to come. Soaring vocals. Big guitar riffs. Piano. Drums. ****
2. (3:44) Compound Fracture – Toe-tapping, 1980s flavored pop-rock. Best falsetto vocals since the Bee Gees. Fuzzy guitars. R&B flavor. ***
3. (4:50) Like a River – Fingerpicked guitar. Airy, high falsetto lead vocals. Builds with layers of synth orchestra, drums and chorus.
4. (5:12) In Its Infancy (The Waterfall) – More of a prog-rock feel, with a little glimmering Jefferson Starship from the early 1970s mixed in. Many changes in dynamics and arrangements. Big guitar in lead breaks. ***
5. (3:01) Get the Point – Acoustic, fingerpicked guitar — with a little moaning pedal steel in the distance. McCartney-like storytelling vocals. **
6. (6:01) Spring (Among the Living) – Almost a train whistle at the start. Dissolves into a prog-rock epic. Pounding beat. Big guitars. Some vocals almost screamed. ***
7. (4:03) Thin Line – Another big guitar number. Pretty much just straight-ahead rock.
8. (3:53) Big Decisions – Arena-scale pop-rock. Piano. Synth. Fuzzed guitars. A hint of pedal steel. Big drums. First single release. ****
9. (5:10) Tropics (Erase Traces) – Starts with a guitar arpeggio that’s very similar to Yes’ “Roundabout.” Continues in a very Yes- or Emerson, Lake & Palmer-like style of guitar rock. Great! ***
10. (7:10) Only Memories Remain – Languid, soulful style. Very slow tempo. Emotive vocals, much of the way in falsetto. Bass. Guitar stingers. Synth orchestra. Simple drums. 1970s R&B sound.
11. (1:00) [Blank] – This track really is BLANK.
12. (2:47) Hillside Song – Acoustic folk. Fingerpicked guitar. A little country flavor to the vocals. **
13. (4:18) Compound Fracture (Miami Jungle Version) – An alternate version of Track 2. Darker and with more guitar licks in counterpoint.
14. (3:31) I Can’t Wait – Bouncy tune. Strummed guitar. Doubled vocals. Layers are added over time, including synth orchestra track.
15. (4:42) Only Memories Remain (Jim Demo) – Demo of Track 10. Spare and reverb-y. This version feels like it drags quite a bit.