Album Review: My Morning Jacket, "Okonokos" (ATO)

The saviors of all things rawk & roll, My Morning Jacket, in admittedly the ultimate rock move, deliver their first double-live album, "Okonokos," as a companion piece to their upcoming DVD of the same name.

Comprised of 21 tracks spanning the band's catalog over the past eight years, "Okonokos" catches the fire of My Morning Jacket's notoriously energetic live show, and then some. Frontman Jim James' reverb-soaked voice coupled with the band's (version 2.0) signature sound practically leap out of the stereo. This is about as close as you can get to the MMJ live-show experience--until the DVD drops in a few weeks, that is.

Culling material from every previous MMJ release, the two-disc set acts as a thorough live history of the band, as well as a great jumping-off point for those curious as to what all the fuss is about. In addition to the group's more polished contemporary sound--perfected on last year's critical favorite "Z"--the band re-visits their earlier high-lonesome, Kentucky-bred, alt-country roots on some of the tracks, which will satisfy fans who have been on board from MMJ's beginning days at Darla Records. Whether your tastes fall more in line with Radiohead or Whiskeytown, this live document is sure to please.