Rainy Day Music

With The Departure of keyboardist Jen Gunderman and guitarist Kraig Johnson, core song-writer & guitarist Gary Louris decided to take the band back to it's rootsier sound. Rainy Day Music takes the roots sound even farther back than their first two albums. Fans of their more current pop or rock sounding albums likeTomorrow The Green Grass might be slightly let down on the first listen, but the stellar melding of harmonies & melodies on the new CD can win them over upon a second listen. The Jayhawks conjure up ghosts of the past like: The Byrds, Crosby Stills & Nash, Buffalo Springfield, and even earlier Hollies; and don't have to show much rock muscle because the songs are so infectious. If you like vocal harmonies (featuring Matthew Sweet on 2 songs) and pretty, flowing acoustic based melodies, then you will find this one a gem. The most aggressive song here (and my favorite) is "Eyes Of Sarah Jane" but check out other stand-outs like: "Save It For A Rainy Day","One Man's Problem" & "Stumbling Through The Dark". (3= Out Of 5)