From Amazon.com
At its best, listening to the Jayhawks make music is a beautiful American experience falling somewhere between drinking a cold Coke on a hot day and driving through the Rocky Mountains at sunset. Perhaps it's in the clarity of Mark Olson's tenor melodies and their accompanying ghostly harmonies, or maybe it's in Gary Louris's immensely raved-up country rock licks. Or perhaps it's the impression left by lyrics that never reveal the whole story but tell just enough to tear at you and make you understand their feeling--the loneliness, the sorrow, the hope, or the peace.
The Jayhawks were at their very best indeed on 1992's Hollywood Town Hall. Their guitars were sharp, the words perfect, and the melodies unforgettable. With Tomorrow the Green Grass, however, 1994's version of the great country soul group is decidedly less filling, even when still savory. The addition of violins is a nice touch, but a misstep where the music's muscle is concerned. The guitars are still gorgeous, but muddier and less hook-laden than before. The lyrics still haunt, but they're more disjointed and less gripping this time around. And the melodies are both a blessing and a curse: more easily catching and chart-ready but with a lot less meat on their bones. Call it cosmic American music in the sugary Milky Way galaxy. Or else just remember how much Gram Parsons always did look sort of like David Cassidy. --Roni Sarig
Album Description
It is Always Refreshing to Hear a Roots-based Group Perform an Original Set, and the Jayhawks Do Not Disappoint. "Tomorrow the Green Grass", as Indicated by the Hopeful Title, Brings it all Back Home to Simple Pleasures, Radiant Down-home Joys and Universal Fears. It is Apparent from the Initial Acoustic Strums that this is an Album that Concentrates on Music, Not Trends. This Minnesota-based Band Combines the High Lonesome Aspects of Bluegrass with the Rough-edged, Pining Soulfulness of Burrito Brothers/Gram Parsons Country-rock and the Spirit of Modern Rock. The Jayhawks Bind it all Together with Off-centre Harmonies, Infectiously Strong Melodies and a Powerful Narrative Sensibility. Whether the Subject is Suicide, Unabashed Love, Hopelessness, Child Abuse Or the Unbridled Love the Band Has for Victoria Williams (Who is Married to Jayhawk Mark Olson), it is Presented with Spunk and Verve. Sometimes Sounding Vaguely R.e.m.-ish, The Tracks Often Portray a Pained Passion.
