March 24, 2004
Check it out. I now
have enough reviews to form an actual freakin'
archive! I'm now a part of recorded human history.
I've officially taken my place in rock/pop folklore.
One can't but be truly humble on such an extraordinary
occassion.
Please allow me a moment
while I come back down.
Whoa.
OK, here goes.
With Gary Louris'
announcement "...I'd say it's dead." in regards to the
status of his band, this was supposed to be the grand
farewell review of Rainy Day Music. A
heartfelt bon voyage to Minneapolis' alt-country, new
American, folk-pop, um... mmm... ehh... roots
rock (Yeah! Got four in!) pioneers, The Jayhawks.
Yup', I was going to
attempt to single-handedly raise the sales of Rainy
Day Music from 175,000 to 500,000, using only the
power of the keyboard. Send 'em out with a gold
record! More cash in their pockets!
And then Louris goes and
posts on jayhawksfanpage.com "... the door was still
open." in regards to The Jayhawks recording again. I
gotta' say... I felt a little manipulated.
Manipulated into selling some more records for The
Jayhawks. Manipulated into doing work, that they
themselves were not willing to do. Manipulated into
putting the full weight of the music industry
juggernaut that is RIYLmusic, behind the Jayhawks.
Somebody always gets
hurt in things like these. (Yeah, OK I know, I hadn't
even started writing the review yet. But I don't
get many opportunities for righteous indignation, so
I need to take 'em when I can.)
Guess at some point
there ought to be an actual review here... it being
the historical 3rd review and all.
The Jayhawks are that
kind of band whose CD you put on when friends are
over, and a bunch of them all say, "Hey, I know these
guys don't I?" Because either they do know who they
are, or they subconsciously think it's so good, that
they should know who they are.
Rainy Day Music
is a great album title (and album too), because it
isn't in fact, as I often love to say, sad bastard
music (well, I've said it in at least one other
review), but
make-whatever-you're-doing-a-little-bit-better music.
You're cleaning the kitchen, put it on, your head
starts bobbing, and it goes quicker. Can't avoid that
pile of laundry anymore? Bathroom's getting a little
fierce? It'll all be fine. (is it obvious that
it's Sunday morning & I've got some chores I'm
avoiding?)
With tunes like
"Stumbling Through the Dark" and "Save It for a Rainy
Day" (and most of the tracks on the album for that
matter), the Jayhawks prove to be masters of some
truly time-tested pop music themes; love, pain, faith,
& doubt. And they do it with a great sense of melody
and harmony. Meanwhile, they also manage to sneak in
a little variety of influences; from bluesy CCR-esque
swamp rock (Madman), to repent-now gospel (Come to
the River), to a little country ballad from right off
the front porch (Will I See You In Heaven). And they
do it with accordions (the uncrowned coolest
instrument in pop music) and banjos. Friggin' banjos!
And it's all easily
digested, but not bubblegum (which isn't easily
digested, just ask your doctor).
For the time being,
current Jayhawks lead singer/songwriter Gary Louris is
touring with former bandmate Mark Olson (think "Blue"
& "Waiting for the Sun"). Perhaps a hopeful sign of
things? Obviously it wasn't an acrimonious split
(Dude, I just used "acrimonious"!). This wasn't like
talking Simon & Garfunkel into touring together just
to make a buck. (Actually, I'm guessing that was more
like talking Paul Simon into touring with Garfunkel,
because Paul Simon already has a ton of money.
Garfunkel... well, he has a lot less.) The original
Jayhawks with Louris & Olson were good, the Jayhawks
without Olson were good, and the Jayhawks with Louris
& Olson together again would be good.
Here's the problem
though.
Louris and Olson might
be out playing together again, but it was also during
this time that the whole "The Jayhawks are over" talk
began. Instead of "Hey, the original lineup is back
together!", it was all about breaking up! And no we
find out Louris is out writing songs for the Dixie
Chicks.
The Dixie Chicks!
What the... who the...
you can't.... why... but... uhh.... hold on... gimme'
a sec
The Friggin' Dixie
Chicks!!!!
UGH!
Whew. I'm ok. It's out
of my system. I think I'm going to fine.
Dixie Freakin'
Chicks!!!!
Come on!
Jeez!
Ok, the cynic in me
can't help but wonder if the whole "Chicks" bit might
be a part of the previously mentioned manipulative
machinations of the band, but we can't risk it. We
have to show these guys we want them together. We
want to hear their songs on the radio. We want to
buy their albums. We want lots of other people to buy
their albums!
If we don't do this,
we'll be witness to one of the most perverse things
ever seen in nature...
A 'Hawk being dominated,
by a 'Chick.
... on the other hand,
if it is the last album, it's a great one to go out
with.
Take care y'all.
Peace out!
