Search - Jayhawks :: Sound of Lies

Lost classic

Jek the Screamer | Tabor, Oregon | 01/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I give Sound of Lies 4 1/2 stars, actually. It's not quite perfect. I know there are diehard 'Hawks fans that love Bottomless Cup and Haywire and Dying on the Vine, but I think that, overall, those songs keep SOL from being a total masterpiece - if only because they're not quite on par with the other tracks, which by no means means they aren't good songs.



Okay, anyway: SOL is no place to start listening to the Jayhawks (Blue Earth is the only place to start if you want to do it right), but ignore this advice and just get the album if you've never heard it, or, hell, even if you've never heard the Jayhawks at all. Anybody that likes good smart pop and good smart lyrics will - should - be utterly blown away, because this album just keeps bludgeoning your head with subtle-but-heavy, layered, gorgeous, understated sonic hooks. Gary Louris, with this one, unlocked the chest that he'd been stashing full of his true nature while toiling (and keeping afloat) the Olson-led version of his band. Every song is a monster, with "Think About It" as the album's centerpiece and juggernaut - a flawless, menacing, melodic thing that gets in your head and festers, until you can't stop turning it up. Actually that kind of describes the rest of the songs, too. As much as I love the Olson era albums, and as good - no, as excellent - as they are, this one might be the shining star of the 'Hawks' catalogue. And nobody knows about it.



Maybe, though, that's a good thing. Perhaps the rock and roll gods (the ones who've kept the 'Hawks in purgatory ever since Hollywood Town Hall) may one day give the band their due and let them (or their estates) amass great royalties and riches and icon status. Lord knows they deserve it."

Future top 100 best albums

Mr. David A. Orrett | Perth - Australia | 07/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sometimes there lies in the rough a true diamond. I dont know how I came to hear this - I am not an Alt.country fan by and large but I wouldn't want to categorize this at all - just listened and listened and listened. It gets better and still seems timeless, beautiful lyrics, great music, vocals and I would figure its the best Jayhawks album by far. No filler, pure class all the way through and if you need something life affirming take a chance on this. It still blows my mind after all these years"

Still My Favorite 'Hawks Disc

B. Lesnick | Omro, WI United States | 07/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just gave 5 stars. I don't do that. As so many were, I was infatuated with Green Grass and Town Halls when this came out. I bought it and was dismayed that there were no Olesons. Then I gave a serious listed and POW. Right in the kisser. Louris unleashed. I could go on about every song. I won't. I will mention 'Stick In The Mud'. Possibly one of the best songs written post Beatles."