Tomorrow the Green Grass (CD)

Out of print in the U.S.! Import pressing of the 1995 album from the American Roots rockers. Tomorrow the Green Grass, as indicated by the hopeful title, brings it all back home to simple pleasures, radiant down-home joys and universal fears. It is apparent from the initial acoustic strums that this is an album that concentrates on music, not trends. This Minnesota-based band combines the high lonesome aspects of Bluegrass with the rough-edged, pining soulfulness of Burrito Brothers/Gram Parsons Country-Rock and the spirit of Modern Rock. The Jayhawks bind it all together with off-center harmonies, infectiously strong melodies and a powerful narrative sensibility. Whether the subject is suicide, unabashed love, hopelessness, child abuse or the unbridled love the band has for Victoria Williams (who is married to Jayhawk Mark Olson), it is presented with spunk and verve. Sometimes sounding vaguely R.E.M.-ish, the tracks often portray a pained passion.