Albums by this artist

Rainy Day Music (2004)

Smile (2000)

Sound Of Lies (1998)

Blue Earth (1989)

Features

Mark Olson: The goods on the creekdippin' Jayhawk.
Published March 23, 2005

The Jayhawks

Sound Of Lies

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» PATRICK KASTNER | STAFF WRITER

The Jayhawks Sound Of Lies American, 1998 RiYL: Golden Smog, Uncle Tupelo, Gram Parsons, Wilco, Black Crowes

For the pop-leaning Jayhawks, transcending country rock has never been a problem. But keeping up with the Joneses -- or in this case, the Tupelos -- has. Along with Uncle Tupelo, the Jayhawks formed the twin pillars of the burgeoning genre alt-country. But where Tupelo embraced gritty folk-blues and hard-nosed rock, the Jayhawks were always partial to shimmering harmonies and more complex melodies.

The fact that Sound of Lies was released at all is a triumph in and of itself -- the band had recently parted ways with founding member Mark Olson. Under the guidance of the band's other songwriter Gary Louris, the Jayhawks attempted to branch out into noisy pop on Sound, with decidedly disappointing results.

"The Man Who Loved Life" and "Think About It" open the album with promise, marked by awesome crescendos and chugging rhythms underlying Louris' distinctively plaintive voice. But the band's experiments turn sour from there.

Songs such as "Big Star" and "Poor Little Fish" incorporate psychedelic effects that come off as pointless noodling. Ballads such as "Sound Of Lies" and "It's Up To You" sound static, like the work of a studio band, and drag on to lifeless endings. Occasionally, the Jayhawks show glimpses of their past selves, but in general the album is muddled by studio tricks.

Louris sings the line "A has-been at a mere 35" on "Big Star," and unfortunately for the Jayhawks, it might ring a little too true.

PATRICK KASTNER | Affectionately known as Cousin Patty (yes, it's a "Throw Momma From The Train" reference), Patrick Kastner is a designer for the Columbus Post-Dispatch.