e_burrell's Full Review: Rainy Day Music [Limited] by The Jayhawks
Many things stay constant - the sun comes up, the darkness falls - the Jayhawks make enjoyable, pretty albums. This Minnesota group of country-twinged rockers have made many memorable albums and tracks, most notably 1995's "Tomorrow The Green Grass" which included the gorgeous "Blue". If you've liked anything the Jayhawks have put out in the past, their newest album "Rainy Day Music" will be for you.
The've kept the formula similar to past albums, acoustic guitars, jangling electric solos, simplistic drums and harmonies capable of melting the hardest of hearts. While some of the original members of the band have gone (most notably Mark Olson and Karen Grotberg), the band keeps its trademark sound, and while it's slightly different not hearing Olson's voice on the tracks you get used to it quickly.
The remaining (and some new) members include Tom O'Reagan on drums, bassist Marc Perlman and Gary Louris with lead vocals and guitars. You'll also get a treat with guest vocal stints by Jakob Dylan and Matthew Sweet.
"Rainy Day Music" is full of standout tracks. "Stumbling Through The Dark" leads things off with a Byrds-esque guitar part, before the band comes in with even Roger McGuinn fervor. A loping beauty, this tune is well worth a listen. "All The Right Reasons" is a quiet, somber tune about freedom, muses and life. Gram Parsons comes instantly to mind as you listen to this one (minus the Emmylou Harris, of course). "Save It For A Rainy Day" has a nice chord progression and a memorable chorus - one of the better tunes on the album, channeling Crosby Stills Nash And Young.
The Jayhawks' ability to ape past legendary talent is second to none, but never do they sound derivitive while they're doing it. Instead, they take a fleeting harmony, a cascading guitar solo that sounds familiar and make it into something entirely new.
"Don't Let The World Get In Your Way" starts out with a much darker theme than the preceding tunes, but it's a joy none the less. A song like "Madman" is also welcome as funky rhythms and county blues prevail. "Will I See You In Heaven" redefines the word heartache, with the story of a relationship torn apart by death, but haunted by memory and the realization of future reunion. A bonus acoustic alternate version of lead-off track "Stumbing Through The Dark" ends the album perfectly - a wonderful way to finish things off indeed.
Good country rock (or Alt-Country, whichever you'd prefer) is hard to come by. A plethora of artists can pick up an acoustic guitar and put a twang in their voice, but very few can write perfect, memorable pop tunes with meaning.
Add the Jayhawks to that very small group - that tiny class of luminaries like Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Wilco, and Whiskeytown. They've earned their place.
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