Album Stream: ‘Mockingbird Time’ Finds Reunited Jayhawks At Their Best

“ To me, it feels fresh and new - in a way, it's better than it was.
” Karen Grotberg Blending the earthy rock of The Byrds and harmonies of Beach Boys since the early 1990s, The Jayhawks have returned after a 5 year hiatus with a new album of original material – Mockingbird Time. Original frontman Mark Olsen returns to the group, as does keyboardist Karen Grotberg, marking this album as the first time the original line-up has recorded in the same studio together. The resulting record bursts at the seams with the fullest, most vivacious album to date.

“Closer To Your Side” features stunning vocal harmonies not unlike Crosby, Stills, and Nash, with chord progressions akin to modern revival bands The Decemberists and The Shins. Album title track “Mockingbird Time” further evokes the golden age of folk-rock, recalling the best of mid-70s Southern rock and the UK’s steady pop-rock export with a hippie-centric hook – “There’s so much color / In the sky” – that will make even the most downcast listener lighten up. “Cinnamon Love” is hands-down one of the best rock songs of 2011, using classic, minimalist production to support stellar vocal harmonies, succinct blues riffs, and a killer harmonica. The Jayhawks perform their tightest take on classic rock yet, each song demonstrating sophisticated arrangements in a familiar structure, making for an easy listen that feels as timeless as the best of your parent’s record collection.

Video: Jayhawks’ Mark Olson & Gary Louris Live From Studio X

Download free music directly from the band’s website, including live bootlegs

Download More Free MP3s

Listen To Full Albums

Connect with XRT on Facebook

The Jayhawks – Mockingbird Time (Rounder/Concord)
iTunes | Amazon