The Jayhawks have long been recognized as one of the primary influences on modern Americana/roots music. The core of the band is still the same after all these years with Gary Louris (lead vocals/guitar), Marc Perlman (bass), Karen Gortberg (keyboards/vocals) and Tim O’Reagan (drums) minus founding member Marc Olson. Likewise, the band has maintained the same level of quality and consistency of Hollywood Town Hall, Tomorrow the Green Grass, and Sound of Lies. For their latest album XOXO, the Jayhawks change things up with all four members contributing to the project as songwriters and lead vocalists. Standout tracks include: the woebegone opening track, “This Forgotten Town”; the stark, moody “Down to the Farm”; the sad, soaring pop number “Ruby”; the driving lead single “Dogtown Days”; the pastoral “Across My Field”; and the gentle acoustic track “Looking Up Your Number.” The Jayhawks have been working together for the better part of 25 years, it should come as no surprise that XOXO is another solid addition to their storied catalog of albums. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Big Star, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Jason Isbell, Old 97’s, Whiskeytown