The Top 5 Jim James Screams

My Morning Jacket are a band of catharsis. Slowly building to explosive moments on tracks like “Dondante”. Even the more recent records feature moments of release, like when the playful intro to “Lucky To Be Alive” gives way to some of the band’s best work since the days of Z. While the eruptions of James and Carl Broemel – or Johnny Quaid are the band’s definitive hallmark, Jim has had some truly powerful vocal moments that cut through the band’s layered sounds. Recently, I’ve found myself listening to Z and Evil Urges a bit more than usual (probably triggered by the band’s 5 night run in their hometown). And I realized, wow, Jim really does have some incredible screams. So let’s dive into those moments on MMJ albums where Jim’s screams are most iconic.

5. Aluminum Park

“Aluminum Park” is a stand out on Evil Urges. It signifies the end of the warm gooey middle bits of the record. It even has a few different screams from Jim, an “Ow” right before the first chorus. Hell, the chorus itself features Jim’s voice reaching a near-scream. Jim throws another scream at the end of the first chorus before ripping into a solo. In the song’s final solo section, Jim yells multiple times, and it’s all killer, especially the one where things kick off, I’m not sure what Jim even says here (does he throw in a “motherfucker”???). While many of the other screams on this list are almost from a place of pain, this one is of pure joy, and it rules.

4. Remnants

“Aluminum Park” and “Remnants” are Evil Urges’ one-two wake up punch. It’s among the Jacket’s hardest songs, and Jim’s vocal performance matches the energy. There was a rumor for a few years that the song was shelved because it became too hard on James’ voice, and anyone who’s heard the track could believe it. An intense 3 minute ride, Jim’s yell comes right on top of an insane solo.

3. “What A Wonderful Man”

The singer started to scream. I knew exac-a-tly what he mean’t.

2. Dondante

“Dondante” is one of the legendary Jacket tracks. Usually clocking in at over 15 minutes when performed live, sometimes breaking 20, it’s a track that is constantly evolving, and in a way, alive. It was written about the loss of a close friend of James. Its quiet, building early moments are drenched in the grief of the loss. It’s sparse until a spark kicks it all off. James, overcome with the weight of the song, as his final gasp, both on the song and the record, he lets out a scream before the song dives into its intense closing. It’s perhaps the most powerful moment on any Jacket record

1. Strangulation!

“Strangulation!” is a song full of pain. Its lyrics depicting frustration, depression, suicide. After a heavy intro, James very plainly and vividly tells the stories of multiple people feeling lost, looking for something, and trying to find release, be it through faith, alcohol, or death. Then that heavy intro comes back in, with James screaming repeatedly. Eventually he gets drowned out by the sound, before it all falls apart.

At Dawn, as an album is one of working through struggle, whether it’s finding comfort in the voice a singer (“The Way That He Sings”) or the obviousness of “Death Is The Easy Way” (Sleezy Pay). Even the empty spaces between songs have such weight between them (especially “Hopefully” into “Bermuda Highway”) . Strangulation encapsulates everything that makes At Dawn My Morning Jacket’s masterpiece. And It would technically be a perfect way to end the record, if not for the bonus track recalling the beautiful moments of the tail end of “I Needed it Most”.

Yeah I made this list to talk about At Dawn. It’s my favorite record. Love u.