For the past handful of years, My Morning Jacket have been on many an audiophile’s must-see list of live performers, and on Wednesday, September 30, they return to Portland ready to throw down another impressive display of musical prowess. And this time they're bringing their larger-than-life sound to the Keller Auditorium.
MMJ’s brand of southern-fried jam rock has received high praise from both critics and listeners alike, and their most recent album, The Waterfall, continues their forward momentum of big, striding choruses, tight progressions, and spacious reverb. Heavily layered with lyrics about openness and flow, The Waterfall cascades into its listeners' ears smooth as ever, once again led by Jim James, rock’s most ethereal voice. This will be My Morning Jacket’s first show back in the U.S. after spending all of September touring Europe in support of the record.
Supporting MMJ on the beginning leg of their West Coast tour is Philadelphia folk rocker Timothy Showalter, aka Strand of Oaks. His cleansing yet cathartic sound takes listeners on a journey through self reflection as well as the trials and tribulations of everyday life in happiness and in sorrow. His latest release, HEAL, brings forth a larger wall of sound than his previous efforts, and a theatrical space such as the Keller Auditorium should do wonders to let it all shine in its unabashed glory.
Tickets are still available for the show on September 30, but by the looks of it, open seats are getting sparse. And if you think the price may seem a bit steep for a rock show these days, remember, there's a reason why My Morning Jacket are on all of those must-see lists: They are totally worth it!
