Don't even know if they are considered indie, but I was wondering if anyone else liked the Jayhawks? I hadn't listened to Hollywood Town Hall or Tommorow the Green Grass in at least 6 months, and randomly started listening to them yesterday. I have to say I forgot just how great they were, and wanted to know if anyone else were fans.

I went through a big alt-country phase in the early 00s, and Tomorrow The Green Grass was in pretty solid rotation. My favorites are "Blue" and their cover of Grand Funk's "Bad Time".

I love the whole album, but I'd probably go with "I'd run away" as my favorite.

I really really love Sound of Lies. "Bottomless Cup" is one of my top favorite songs of all time. I have attempted to expand my collection with Hollywood Town Hall, but I was unimpressed.

I have 'Tomorrow the Green Grass' and like it a lot, especially the first half.

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:
Don't even know if they are considered indie, but I was wondering if anyone else liked the Jayhawks? I hadn't listened to Hollywood Town Hall or Tommorow the Green Grass in at least 6 months, and randomly started listening to them yesterday. I have to say I forgot just how great they were, and wanted to know if anyone else were fans.

I pretty much love everything the Jayhawks ever did (I still haven't heard their debut, self-titled LP). The two records you mention are practically flawless in my opinion. They are right up there with Uncle Tupelo, the Bottle Rockets, and Whiskeytown in the Alt-Country pantheon of the 90s. I love the Jayhawks post-Olson too. Rainy Day Music is an under-appreciated classic of the 2000s. "Save it for a Rainy Day" might be my favorite song of the decade.

I have Tomorrow the Green Grass somewhere. I listened to it a few times when it came out, but haven't really touched it since. I liked Blue and I'd Run Away, but the rest of it didn't make much of an impression. I should dig it out and give it a few more listens now that my musical tastes have matured.

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Originally posted by Maximum Jack Frost:
I pretty much love everything the Jayhawks ever did

I second that. Hard to pick a favorite album though I'd choose "Big Star" and "Blue" as my favorite Jayhawks songs. I saw them live a few years back and unfortunately, it was a pretty lackluster show (they seemed bored and almost lifeless).

quote:

Originally posted by Maximum Jack Frost:
I pretty much love everything the Jayhawks ever did

I third(?) that. I don’t own many of their albums but I remember hearing all of them at one point or another and really enjoying them. I would say that all of their albums are essentials with a few masterpieces scattered along there. I really should look into buying all of them.

I'm fond of all of their albums with sound of lies being my favorite and hollywood townhall being my least favorite.

I'd recommend golden smog - another fine day. Its a side project of gary louris, jeff tweedy and a few other guys.

I'm moving this thread to the Americana forum.

The Jayhawks are great.

I especially like Gary Louris' voice and guitar sound with Mark Olson's harmonies. I think that blend is what gives them their definitive sound. Though I still like them a lot, they probably haven't quite been as good since Olson left the band before Sound of Lies.

I am very excited about the rumored upcoming collaborations between the two. I really liked their work together (though it was only on a couple songs) on Mark Olson's Salvation Blues album released in 2007.

My list would go like this (1 being my favorite):

1. (tie) Hollywood Town Hall
1. (tie) Tomorrow the Green Grass
3. Sound of Lies
4. Smile
5. Rainy Day Music
6. Blue Earth

Which, pretty much follows them chronologically except Blue Earth. I have also not heard their self-titled first album.

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Originally posted by Wilsonna:
I really liked their work together (though it was only on a couple songs) on Mark Olson's Salvation Blues album released in 2007.

Damn, I totally forgot that this came out this year. I'll have to check it out.

Haven't been on the boards for a few days (and couldn't find this thread at first), but good to see all the love for The Jayhawks.

Currently listening to Settled Down Like Rain, one of their best songs.

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:
Currently listening to Settled Down Like Rain, one of their best songs.

That is a GREAT song. In fact, I would say that song defines the best of the Jayhawks. Therefore, anyone new to them, if you don't like that one, I doubt you would like the band.

quote:

Originally posted by Wilsonna:

quote:

Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:
Currently listening to Settled Down Like Rain, one of their best songs.

That is a GREAT song. In fact, I would say that song defines the best of the Jayhawks. Therefore, anyone new to them, if you don't like that one, I doubt you would like the band.

I have to say I just tried "Settled Down like Rain" again, and it still doesn't grab me. I might be an oddity, but I would recommend anyone that doesn't like The Jayhawks at first, to check out The Sound of Lies. I think it's more readily acceptable to modern "indie" ears.

I think Sound of Lies is definitely the most pop album of theirs. I think it is influenced by Gary Louris' love of Big Star and, of course, the Beatles. You're right that it might be a good starting point, but I don't think it is a good representation of the band's "sound" if there is such a thing.

quote:

I have to say I just tried "Settled Down like Rain" again, and it still doesn't grab me

To each his own, at least you still like the Jayhawks.

What I like so much about Settled down like rain is not the chorus but the points leading up to them. The parts that go "And you came, and you gave, without taking" as well "You packed up your bags and belonging" have so much emotion to me, even though it is a fairly mellow song. Anyway, that's just my point of view.

Yeah. Don't get me wrong. I don't hate anything I've heard of theirs. I think they make really good music and deserve a lot of respect.

It's just that my ears are more intune with something like "Think about it" and "Bottomless Cup". I don't want people listening to just one aspect of the group and writting them off if it's not their cup of tea.

If I'm not mistaken Sound of Lies was the first album with just Gary, right? Maybe I just prefer him over Mark.