Jim James – Uniform Distortion (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Jim James – Uniform Distortion (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 40:11 minutes | 450 MB | Genre: Indie Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © ATO (UK)

The GRAMMY Award-nominated frontman of My Morning Jacket, Jim James, has announced the release of his third studio album, Uniform Distortion. Uniform Distortion was produced by Jim James and Kevin Ratterman at Louisville, KY’s La La Land, with Ratterman also serving as recording engineer. All songs were written by James, who is backed on the album by bassist Seth Kauffman (Floating Action) and longtime touring drummer Dave Givan, with backing vocals provided throughout by Dear Lemon Trees’ Leslie Stevens, Jamie Drake and Kathleen Grace. “The name of my new record is Uniform Distortion because I feel like there is this blanket distortion on society/media and the way we gather our ‘news and important information. More and more of us are feeling lost and looking for new ways out of this distortion and back to the truth…and finding hope in places like the desert where I write this now…finding hope in the land and in the water and in old books offering new ideas and most importantly in each other and love.” says James.

The leader of My Morning Jacket has found new inspiration for his third album. A picture of Duane Michals titled Illuminated Man, found in a 1971 edition of The Last Whole Earth Catalog and which is featured on the cover of Uniform Distortion, is the spark in James’ creative thrust. The Louisville songwriter goes wild on a rock’n’roll overflowing with fuzz, plays around with various atmospheres and many distortions. A wailing voice at times, or more distant like an echo, for a rather timeless album in the vein of Neil Young’s work. On Just A Fool and You Get To Rome, Jim James plays with very rock’n’roll and raw guitar riffs, and introduces Yes To Everything with a hoarse and hearty laugh. Indeed, despite his cynic nature, it’s a joyful atmosphere that the singer is trying to create here. He does not hesitate to resort to pop melodies, like on Throwback for instance. A way to contrast with the lyrics dedicated to lost love and James’ toxic experiences with social networks. There is a certain timelessness throughout Uniform Distortion, and the listener might feel they’re moving from one era to the next throughout the album. Too Good To Be True goes back to the eighties with a crooner’s slow. But Jim James uses a quirky tone to deal with potential disappointments. Everything is carefully crafted to give the illusion of simple titles that are in fact much richer and more layered than they appear.  – Clara Bismuth

Tracklist:

1. Jim James – Just A Fool (04:00)
2. Jim James – You Get To Rome (02:28)
3. Jim James – Out Of Time (02:51)
4. Jim James – Throwback (05:18)
5. Jim James – No Secrets (04:52)
6. Jim James – Yes To Everything (04:44)
7. Jim James – No Use Waiting (03:35)
8. Jim James – All In Your Head (03:01)
9. Jim James – Better Late Than Never (01:58)
10. Jim James – Over And Over (03:38)
11. Jim James – Too Good To Be True (03:42)

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