MMJ paints sonic landscapes on live album

My Morning Jacket are an amalgamation of many genres, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what they sound like. Phish, Coldplay, Beck, Radiohead, Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd... take your pick. If you like any of the above, then you happen to be in the right place. Okonokos is a sprawling live album, almost two hours worth of sonic landscapes and jams that will make your ears bleed in a soothing way. Southern rock took some shrooms and stumbled onto stage, and this is what you hear. It's some pretty amazing stuff. \nA lot of bands that perform live vomit out a carbon copy of their studio performances. In this case, things are exactly the same to the T. My Morning Jacket puts up their middle fingers to these bands by playing old songs in a brand new fashion. If you've heard the originals, you'll be caught off guard at times, but it's this changing of the guard that makes this album almost a brand new batch of songs. \nThe album is all about feedback and reverb. The recording is solid -- very clear, very clean, but what makes it stand out from other live albums is the haunting effect that is present in the echo of the vocals. There is still a feeling of raw emotion present, but it's nice to have a live album that doesn't sound like shit. \nThese guys have been around for eight years. I've seen bands put out live albums after two full-lengths. The Jacket have enough material under their belts for a couple double-live albums, and it never gets boring. The album is very relaxing at times -- a lot of texture and atmosphere, even hints of country rock. You will get engulfed in sound, maybe even lost, as this sonic scenery progresses. \nHippie music? Stoner music? Well, not necessarily. There is enough variety on this disc to satisfy almost anyone (I say almost anyone because if you're into Justin Timberlake or anything of that caliber, perhaps you're out of luck). The jams are a lot of fun; the quieter songs are haunting and relaxing. You really don't know what to expect. If you're a fan of the band already, you'll be blown away. If you're not a fan, you might become one.