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The Jayhawks
Music From the North Country: The Jayhawks Anthology (Deluxe Edition)
By David Chiu
The Jayhawks emerged from the same Minneapolis alt-country music scene that birthed Uncle Tupelo, and then later Son Volt and Wilco. And like those bands, their sound doesn’t come across as conventional country music because it incorporates folk, rock and roll and pop. Fronted by Gary Louris and, for a time Mark Olson, the Jayhawks crafted roots rock that never garnered them the same audience their peers got. Or, at least, the audience was never as big.
In the wake of the band’s recent reunion comes this best-of package spanning their entire output. It begins with a couple of very rootsy tracks from their second indie album, 1989’s Blue Earth: “Ain’t No End” and “Two Angels.” Following that record was their American Recordings debut, the superb Hollywood Town Hall (1992). That record contains “Waiting for the Sun” and “Martin’s Song,” both of which are on this release.
Then came another great Jayhawks album, Tomorrow the Green Grass (1995), which yielded the minor hit “Blue.” Nearly all of the songs from that record could’ve have been on Music From The North Country, which cherry picks the ebullient “I’d Run Away,” the lovely ballad “Over My Shoulder,” and a song referencing Olson’s then-wife, singer Victoria Williams, “Miss Williams’ Guitar.”
Just as the band was making some headway with Tomorrow The Green Grass, Olson departed from the band, leaving Louris the group’s main singer and songwriter. He and the other Jayhawks carried on with perhaps their most underrated effort Sound of Lies (1997). Its songs “Trouble,” “The Man Who Loved Life” and the cheeky and cynical rocker “Big Star” also appear on this collection. (Unfortunately other good songs from that album such as “Think About It” and “Dying on the Vine” aren’t part of the anthology).
But despite personnel changes and minor fame, the Jayhawks kept at it. For their 2000 release, Smile, the band aimed to expand their sound beyond simple folk rock, perhaps for something more commercial. Part of that came from enlisting producer Bob Ezrin, best known for his work with stadium rock acts Kiss and Pink Floyd. The result was pop-oriented tracks like “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and the lush title tune. While they’re very catchy and likeable, they also sound a bit too glossy- the band clearly strayed from the their roots.
Fortunately, the Jayhawks rebounded three years later with what would turn out to be their swansong, Rainy Day Music. Probably a reaction to the Smile album, the tunes sounded very back-to-basics, evidenced by songs “Save It For a Rainy Day,” “Tailspin,” and “Angelyne.”
True fans of the Jayhawks will likely be better served by purchasing the deluxe edition of this anthology, which contains an extra disc of music and a DVD. For those who are hearing the band for the first time, and like what they hear, they should pick up some studio albums—most definitely Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow The Green Grass. Not much to ask for a band that was one of the true greats of the alt-country genre.
Ecstatic Peace! artist WAND (sometimes Wooden Wand) has a new melodic and spooky mp3 out….get it for a thunderstorm threatened Friday. It feels just about right, sitting in few clothes with your face in a fan. Just trust me on that… Take it slow and easy all the way through, the close of the song is the best.
James Jackson Toth (WAND) is on tour right now. Check and see if you can catch a show.
WAND: Arriving
WAND: Arriving
Check out this DD/MM/YYYY track. It’s pretty wacky. It’s trance-y and a little puckish, too. The band from Toronto has just signed with Brooklyn’s Impose Records and are soon going on the road. Their third album, “Black Square,” is being re-released digitally and on cassette (what’s with this new trend?) on Sept. 15.
DD/MM/YYYY: Digital Haircut
DD/MM/YYYY: Digital Haircut
The internet copyright police came for me today, which is why I couldn’t post anything for you all. Sorry!! The Woodstock post from a couple of days ago included an mp3 for the track “I Shall Be Released.” BIG mistake. Anyway, they (finally) released my blog and i’m back. It’s kinda fucked up that WordPress held me hostage ALL DAY. I deleted the damn post! Anyway…Of course there was tons of news today. A highlight:
My main men Tony Stark 1 and Tony Stark 2 over at Stark Online have an interview with Esau Mwamwaya from The Very Best. It’s great. Here’s a quote: ” ‘Julia’ Mwamaway notes, is about “falling in love…you know love is so precious…like an egg, it is easy to break…you need to be careful and handle [gently].’ “
Amazing!
I will resume full responsibilities tomorrow. LUV.
Hardly enough can be said about the genius and complexity of Bob Dylan. Forget the fact that he is still making music and touring… His songs can be devastatingly raw, touching, foolish, sweet and pithy. Sometimes all at the same time. Here’s a track from one of my favorite albums, “Nashville Skyline,” which also featured Johnny Cash.
Bob Dylan: To Be Alone With You
Bob Dylan: To Be Alone With You
Screenshot!
So I went to the Delancey last night for the screening but I couldn’t stay for more than 10 minutes of the movie. Not because I didn’t like it, (I did and I want to see more), but because the venue was wrong, all wrong. There were about 20 people sitting on the floor (ew in The Delancey basement??) and everyone behind them was standing up, trying to see the sheet that served as a screen. The people in the way back by the bar were talking loudly so it was hard to hear. Todd P always looks like he’s stressing out, so I couldn’t tell what he thought of the whole thing.
I do want to see “Todd P Goes to Austin” and I hope it gets screened somewhere bigger, preferably with seats. Or at least a less dingy floor.
By the way, the free Colt 45 was served in old-school miniature glass 40 containers, which were very cute and retro. But after a few cases there weren’t any more cold ones and the bartender s tarted handing them out warm. Talk about the worst kind of swill.
Anyone go? How were the bands? My guess is they were awesome, cos they are awesome.
Team Robespierre plays at Death by Audio on Friday night and the So So Glos play there on Saturday night. Get yer ass to South Williamsburg!
I guess it kinda sounds like what Mickey’s brain would sound like on drugs. Take a turn.
Wavves: Mickey Mouse
Wavves: Mickey Mouse
I was introduced to Out Hud by my cutest friend, Susannah- her sister Molly Schnick plays the cello and sings in the band. (See my Q&A with Molly aka Jean on Jean). Out Hud is one of the coolest bands ever. And when I write “cool” I mean these guys are the perfect musical combination of dance music, indie sensibility, NYC on the line beats and pretty vocals. “The Stoked American” feels particularly good. It’s more psychedelic than the other tracks on 2005′s smash, “Let Us Never Speak of it Again” and the call and response vocals from Schnick and Phyllis Forbes are intoxicating.
The last line in the song says so much- about time and about experience- which is exactly why Out Hud is the shit. They tell it like it is- simply yet with complicated undertones.
“Hours turn to days you know, watch them and watch them and watch them go.”
In related news, !!!, which features members of Out Hud, just announced a September tour.
Out Hud: The Stoked American
Out Hud: The Stoked American
Alright, alright. Nathan is back and ready to roar. He’s playing all over the states, twice in NYC (Santos on 9/24 and a Todd P show, location TBD, on 9/25). Click here for dates.
BONUS
Wavves: California Goths
Wavves: California Goths
