Early Recordings, Chapter 2: Learning

CHAPTER 2: LEARNING presents another round of My Morning Jacket rarities. In addition to alternate versions of album tracks (including a lo-fi acoustic take on "Death Is the Easy Way" from AT DAWN and a spare, demo version of "Just One Thing" from IT STILL MOVES), the collection presents a number of cover tunes. Frontman Jim James lends his distinctive voice to "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (made famous by the Mamas & the Papas), and runs through disarmingly faithful takes on the Pet Shop Boys' "West End Girls" and Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" (complete with TOP GUN movie samples). Although some MMJ fans may be surprised by the group's slinky version of Erykah Badu's "Tyrone," "Why Don't You Love Me?" brings the vibe back home by embracing the Kentucky band's country-influenced rural roots. As with CHAPTER 1, this compilation reveals My Morning Jacket to be a restless band that is comfortable taking on both pop hits and indie-rock experiments.