Craig Finn has always had a reputation as an accomplished lyricist. In fact, he is as much of a poet as he is a Rock and Roll musician. His lyrics invoke an emotional connection that is evident as the crowd sings along at Hold Steady gigs. After all, this is the man who weaved the suicide of John Berryman into “Stuck Between Stations”. Not surprisingly, Clear Heart Full Eyes brings Finn’s poetic distinction to the forefront.

To be sure, the front man for Hold Steady has not forgotten the importance of the music. For this project, it tends to be more mellow and introspective, but is powerful none the less. My friend David, who has a daughter that is a budding musician at 13, recently made the point that musicians are sometimes far too serious and afraid to make people laugh. In fact, humor is a quality he is trying to encourage in the music of his daughter (Katie Deter). Humor has certainly never eluded Finn, as shown by the song, “New Friend Jesus”. He also invokes religious imagery often on Clear Heart Full Eyes. Consider this verse from “No Future”:

“I’ve been reading about the Calvary. The crucifixion still gets to me. I guess Golgotham meets the mount of execution. The best advice I got comes from ‘ol John Rotten. He said ‘God save the queen’ no future for you , no future for me”.

Finn is a modern day creative genius, and, Clear Heart Full Eyes is the perfect conduit to display his prodigious creativity.

Donner is from Dallas, but he recorded the album in Alabama. More specifically it was created at the fabled Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Having a Southern Renaissance in Muscle Shoals is a perfect place considering the plethora of Southern Rock, Country and Soul classics that have been recorded there. Although Donner’s music is more of a virtuosity of styles and influences than a renaissance, it is a well crafted work of art by any definition. The album is a mix of Rock, Jam Band, Country and alt-country. However, no song is represented by a single style. Each song is a blend of influences. Whether up-tempo or more subdued, there is no doubt that a talented and emerging songwriter carefully arranged each song.

No Better Time is an exceptional debut release. Michael Donner has set the bar high for himself, but there is no doubt that he is a truly gifted artist with more to offer in the future.

Though mostly acoustic, there is some gritty Rock & Roll, like the Electric Blues on “Lord I Just Can’t Keep From Cryin’”. Another interesting track is “Give the Devil Back His Heart”, which mixes in Native American influences. However, the song that really stands out, and is one of the best songs I have come across this year is the opener, “Beggar in the Morning”. The song is perfectly arranged with poignant lyrics. The song provides a very dark but true picture of how relationships can evolve over time. “Hello I’m a monster too and what poisons me is what poisons you too. Into these animals we grew, but when we were young our eyes were blue”. Although they are veteran musicians, their debut as the Barr Brothers is impressive and full of innovation.

Eli –
I am surprised by how much I like Mockingbird Time. Now you may be asking yourself “surprised? really? what’s wrong with this sap—it’s the Jayhawks—the original line-up with Louris and Olson back together again.” And you would be right, such a momentous reunion of one of alt. country’s defining bands and one of my personal favorites to boot would ordinarily involve me drooling for months on end awaiting the release date. The problem here being that Louris and Olson have been playing for a couple years now and recorded a duo album in 2009, the Chris Robinson produced Ready for the Flood. And I was psyched for Ready for the Flood, perhaps way too psyched, as the album was a good, but not great, set of fairly relaxed songs. My favorite part of the album may have been the cover art. So, when I heard the Jayhawks were reuniting and recording a new album, my ears perked up a little, but I wasn’t foaming at the mouth and preaching to random people in the street about its impending release.

Well maybe I should have been. Mockingbird Time features all the same hallmarks as the band’s heralded records of the 1990’s (Hollywood Town Hall, Tomorrow the Green Grass). Olson and Louris haven’t missed a beat with their achingly beautiful harmonies or their top-notch songwriting. The influences are all fairly predictable given the band’s back catalog (Neil Young, the Stones, the Kinks, The Band, etc.), but the influence I was most struck by this time around is The Beatles. Certainly the post-Olson Jayhawks veered towards a more elaborately produced pop-rock sound, but what we get here is the gruffer side of the Beatles. “Highwater Blues” and “Hey Mr. Man” strike me as the kind of songs that Lennon would have smoked 4 cigarettes and then belted out. The piano coda of “Mockingbird Time” sounds like a McCartney number, or a Harrison one, or for that matter a late-era, Lennon solo composition.

Not that any of that matters too much, because this album sounds like the Jayhawks. In other words, it sounds awesome. Check out “She Walks In So Many Ways”, “Closer to Your Side”, or “Stand Out in the Rain”, it’ll take you back to the glorious 90’s and the heyday of the alt. country revolution.

Jeff –
“Even though they haven’t made an album together as the Jayhawks in over 15 years, Mark Olson and Gary Louris have never been that far apart. They seemed to be moving back toward this reunion for a long time. First impression is, where’s Gary? He’s there for harmony and guitar, but where are his songs? It seems like Mark Olson, the absentee songwriter, has come back and replaced Gary Louris as a frontman. I’ve always been a bit more of a Gary Louris fan and the interplay between the two was never more perfect than on Tomorrow the Green Grass. The record feels a bit more like Hollywood Town Hall but not as confident.

A lot of the more poppy elements are subtle in favor of Mark Olson’s rather solid but unexciting batch of songs. Louris and Olson’s harmonies certainly shine through the mix but they don’t have the beautiful poppy hooks of “Nothing Left to Borrow” or “Blue.” Those songs were instant classics. Even compared to Rainy Day Music, Mockingbird Time seems much less assured and more tentative. It’s as though the band is getting to know itself again. Perhaps their next foray will be a bit more exciting.”

Chip –
It was suggested, when this Jayhawks tag team review was assembled, that there would be many Beatles references for Mockingbird Time. However, a contrarian’s perspective reveals a more diverse set of influences. On the Jayhawks new release, The Byrds influence is ever present with the harmonizing of Louris and Olson. However, there is also a strong Neil Young influence that comes through on songs like “High Water Blues”.

Mockingbird Time is more than a showcase of influences. The Jayhawks have expanded their sound with rich guitar textures. In prior releases, the guitar work was more understated. This time around, a melodic and at times almost psychedelic feel moves to the forefront, and enhances the characteristic vocal harmonies. Certain songs even revisit old territory. Consider “Pouring Rain at Dawn”, which conjures up memories of Hollywood Town Hall. With the release of Mockingbird Time, Louris and Olson have given their fans a welcome reunion. Fortunately, there is an obvious rejuvenation, which suggests this reunion is also a new beginning.

Audio Download: The Jayhawks, “She Walks In So Many Ways”

The album was produced by Marvin Etzioni, a former member of Lone Justice who has worked with Steve Earle, Counting Crows and Lucinda Williams. Lennon is a North Carolina native but he now resides in California. In the title cut, Lennon gives a powerful portrait of life in post-depression America, and the desperation of the time. Other songs on the album are modern in there setting, but the parallel between then and now is clear. “Blues Forever (in Your Eyes)” is simply one of best songs I have heard this year. A Country tune “California Calling”, presumably refers to his own move to California. The move has been a good one for him, at least musically. His sound is now complete and he is establishing himself as a rising star in the roots music community of the area. Look for the buzz to get louder on future releases. Mark W. Lennon’s music needs to be heard.

“Blues Forever (in Your Eyes)”

Blues Forever from Mark W. Lennon on Vimeo.

It wasn’t that long ago when someone asked me “Why doesn’t anyone make Rock n’ Roll” anymore?” Like many folks, he quit looking for new music after he graduated college, and was now trying to search the radio for new Rock n’ Roll. If he asked that today, I would give him a copy of Dan Hubbard and the Humadors new release, The Love Show, and end his search. This Central Illinois based band, serves up Rock with hooks that latch on from the opener “Don’t Take Me Now” and never let go.

Dan Hubbard gets it, Rock and Roll is best when it is uncomplicated. There are no gimmicks or pretenses found on The Love Show, just really great melodies. These are the songs that make you want to crank the volume and go for a drive. Just don’t set the iPod on repeat or you may never come back.

As a songwriter, Hubbard follows a similar uncomplicated formula. Guess what indie rockers! You don’t have to be an art school student on anti-depressants to write lyrics. Hubbard has a troubadour’s gift, creating songs that balance life’s tough times with hope and healing. On “This is Your Life” Hubbard sings, “Life isn’t fair and that’s Ok. It’s crazy how much things can change before you even realize. This is your life. Yeah, there’s some things you can’t control. Yeah, sometimes you have to let go. Yeah, everything is gonna be fine. We’re doin’ alright baby.” What is wrong with plain spoken wisdom?

The guest appearances are well chosen, but The Greencards are just as impressive on their own. The Greencards eclectic musical and lyrical brilliance is on full display in each track. The Brick  also captures the energy and passion of the band. Their passion was understated on their previous two releases, but this new project has a live feel. Anyone who has been to a Greencards show knows exactly to what I am referring.

The Greencards are an ever evolving band. With each release the expand their horizon. They don’t seem content standing. Instead they continue to push boundaries, which makes room for a growing fan base.

Audio Download: Old Californio, “A Cool Place in the Light”