The Jayhawks are usually talked about with the founders of the "alt-country" movement, which is really less a genre and more a state of mind – 1990s bands such as Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown and The Old 97's, all of whom combined the stark emotions and longing of country music with a bit of alternative rock feedback and grit. Call them whatever you want — the Jayhawks merit a second look.
Whereas Uncle Tupelo got a bit more of the lonesome ache and hard times of country music in their tunes, the Jayhawks inclined sharply towards the brighter side of life – crisp dueling harmonies and hum-able hooks dominate their tracks, which carry on the legacy of bands like the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash. Even when they're singing a sad, sad song like "Ain't No End," the intertwining harmonies of singers Gary Louris and Mark Olson are a thing of glittering beauty. In taking a page from golden oldies like The Statler Brothers or the Carter Family, the Jayhawks managed a sound that was nostalgic and fresh at the same time.
The Jayhawks' new Sony/Legacy greatest hits compilation Music From The North Country will offer novices exposure to a good dozen tunes that are near-classic gems. Fans of Ryan Adams or Wilco should check it out. But for longtime Jayhawks fans, you'll want the impressive three-disc deluxe edition, which tacks on 20 rarities in a second disc and a DVD of several music videos.
Hailing from Dylan's "North Country" of Minnesota, the Jayhawks formed in 1985 and picked from a wide variety of influences to chart their path in the crowded '80s and '90s music scene. Music from the North Country traces the ambitions of a band that never quite broke through to mainstream success, but were cult idols from the word go. Like Memphis' Big Star, who are name-checked in a song by the band here, the Jayhawks were either ahead of or behind their time a bit.
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