| Gary Louris and Mark Olson - Ready For The Flood |
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Another reminder why the Jayhawks were (are?) awesome It’s been called one of those fundamental questions that plague us all at some time in our life. Many have attempted to solve it, but sadly enough, most haven’t gotten very far before realizing its futility. The question of course being: Is the lengendary Minneapolis country band, the Jayhawks, really broken up or not? They haven’t been releasing straight up Jayhawks records in awhile and co-frontman Mark Olson did depart back in 1995, but can always be seen supporting Jayhawk alum on solo tours and get togethers. The question is only further mystified by the release of Ready For The Flood by long time band songsmiths Gary Louris and Mark Olson. Despite the two names leading it this is by no means a Jayhawks album, but instead a light, mainly acoustic affair by two friends who just happened to have been in one of the more influential alt-country bands of the 90’s. The first song “The Rose Society” sets the tone for the rest of the CD; it’s a barebones production with the simple acoustic strumming buoyed by the incredible ragged harmony that Louris and Olson are so famous for. Producer Chris Robinson (of the Black Crowes) wisely keeps instrumentation to a minimum and lets the words of Olson/Louris come to the forefront. This is the template for a set of songs that seem unhurried and natural coming from these two music veterans who have become such a fixture in the alt-country movement. For those looking for an early Jayhawks era stomper should look to “Chamberlain SD,” which features some excellent harmonica and guitar work, but otherwise they will be sorely disappointed by the rest of the offerings on Ready For The Flood. On every other track there is a more quiet, bucolic feel especially to songs like “Turn Your Pretty Head Around” and “My Gospel Song For You,’ which adds a quiet organ to the background to help set the mood. The only other thing that can really be said is that this album is for people who enjoyed the quieter moments in the Jayhawk’s history, but all the same the quiet beauty it rides on can captivate anyone. Ready For The Flood just provides one more reason why so many people fell for a scrappy little country band from Minneapolis that never did what was expected and was always loved because of it. Final Verdict: 4/5 Woovies Song to Download: My Gospel Song For You – It may sound similar to every other song on the album, but the light organ work and the impassioned chorus is what makes this song standout on an album full of gems |
