Tomorrow the Green Grass

Jayhawks

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 14, 1995)
• Original Release Date: February 14, 1995
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002M8Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #86,878 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
At its best, listening to the Jayhawks make music is a beautiful American experience falling somewhere between drinking a cold Coke on a hot day and driving through the Rocky Mountains at sunset. Perhaps it's in the clarity of Mark Olson's tenor melodies and their accompanying ghostly harmonies, or maybe it's in Gary Louris's immensely raved-up country rock licks. Or perhaps it's the impression left by lyrics that never reveal the whole story but tell just enough to tear at you and make you understand their feeling--the loneliness, the sorrow, the hope, or the peace.

The Jayhawks were at their very best indeed on 1992's Hollywood Town Hall. Their guitars were sharp, the words perfect, and the melodies unforgettable. With Tomorrow the Green Grass, however, 1994's version of the great country soul group is decidedly less filling, even when still savory. The addition of violins is a nice touch, but a misstep where the music's muscle is concerned. The guitars are still gorgeous, but muddier and less hook-laden than before. The lyrics still haunt, but they're more disjointed and less gripping this time around. And the melodies are both a blessing and a curse: more easily catching and chart-ready but with a lot less meat on their bones. Call it cosmic American music in the sugary Milky Way galaxy. Or else just remember how much Gram Parsons always did look sort of like David Cassidy. --Roni Sarig

Product Description
It is Always Refreshing to Hear a Roots-based Group Perform an Original Set, and the Jayhawks Do Not Disappoint. "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-centre 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. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Classic, November 25, 2000

By	paperbackriter (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tomorrow the Green Grass (Audio CD)

Filled with gorgeous melodies, soaring harmonies and passionate guitar licks, Tomorrow the Green Grass is, by all means, an essential CD for anyone raised on classic pop/rock. It's hard to believe that such a subtle, heartbreakingly beautiful album was birthed in America, which in 1995, was being bludgeoned by the horrors of Alanis/ Alternative and Grunge. Every song is instantly memorable. The melodies, sort of a gentle hybrid of Neil Young meets The Beatles, are perfectly complemented by the aching harmonies of Gary Louris and Mark Olson. In fact, the harmonic expression on tracks such as Blue, Two Hearts and Over My Shoulder are what sets this album apart from other works released in the mid-90's. In 1995, no one in America was doing what the Jayhawks were doing. Although Tomorrow the Green Grass is rooted in folk and country, as well as pop, I like to think of it as an American cousin to the wave of melodic Brit-Pop which flooded England at the time. The Jayhawks recognized the everlasting importance of strong songwriting -- as opposed to trendy posturing -- and for that they will forever be revered. Every track --from the beautiful opening strains of Blue, through the haunting sound of laughing children on the finale Ten Little Kids -- hits emotional paydirt. Plain and simple, Tomorrow the Green Grass is a timeless classic.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loud Folk Music, June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tomorrow the Green Grass (Audio CD)

Members of the Jayhawks have described their music as "loud folk music" and thats a pretty good description. Tomorrow The Green Grass is "middle period" Jayhawks and it is possibly their finest recording - although every single one of their albums are excellent. This is American folk rock at its best and you can hear why there are so many comparisons to Gram Parsons and Neil Young. This one is a requirement for any music fan who's serious about their music collection. After this, buy "Hollywood Town Hall", then "Sound of Lies", then "Smile", and then "Blue Earth" - in that order.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Desert Island choice, December 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tomorrow the Green Grass (Audio CD)

I consider this disc one of the ten that I would take to the proverbial desert island. I am always in the mood for it. I have yet to play it for anyone with ears who did not shortly ask me, "Who IS this?".

I find these reviews most helpful when the reviewer indicates some of the music that he/she enjoys in general. My tastes are fairly eclectic, but to give you an idea of where I'm coming from, some of my bands/artists of choice would include: Grateful Dead, Counting Crows, Liz Phair, Buffalo Tom, Oasis, Sublime, Barenaked Ladies, Sheryl Crow, Beatles, REM, Stones, Belle & Sebastian, Tom Waits, etc. etc.