THE JAYHAWKS

Mockingbird Time

[Rounder]

The big news for fans of this quintessential alt-country band is that Mockingbird Time is the first new studio release since 1995 to feature the Jayhawks’ original co-frontmen, Gary Louris and Mark Olson. Reunions can be iffy, but the Jayhawks have marshaled their strengths and assembled a recording truly worthy of their stellar reputation. The omnipresent close harmonies, smart songcraft, instantly memorable melodies and effervescent guitars are all in place—Mockingbird Time is classic Jayhawks from the first notes of its opening track, “Hide Your Colors.” After an introductory wallop of Neil Young-ish chords, Louris and Olson are in full Everly Brothers mode; the song wends along at a loping pace through a trippy late-Beatles orchestral interlude, bold piano and subtle turns. It cascades and escalates steadily, leading up to a breathtaking denouement—and that’s only the first four minutes. For once it appears that an extended vacation did some good for an already great band. –J. Tamarkin

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