Sound of Lies

Jayhawks

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: April 22, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: American Recordings
• ASIN: B000068FUU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,829 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1997 release was slow to catch on with Jayhawks fans; the departure of founder-guitarist-vocalist Mark Olson seemed destined to mark the band as one that had seen better days. But not only do the impeccable country-rock leanings of singer/songwriter Gary Louris shine as always here, his vocals soar beautifully with pianist Karen Grotberg's (as they did with Olson's), and the band isn't shy about genre hopping. Psychedelic pop makes a cameo appearance ("Think About It"), Tom Petty-esque, AOR-friendly rock is perfected ("Big Star," "It's Up to You"), and gorgeous, genteel ballads ("Sound of Lies," "Trouble") continue to impress. Louris wears his heart on his sleeve in the raw-nerve musings of "Dying on the Vine," and "The Man Who Loved Life" is a perfect Jayhawks moment: a quiet, lone piano opens the song, which builds slowly with layers of vocals, guitar, and piano, resulting in a majestic coda. --Lorry Fleming

Product Description

Out-of-print in the US! Import pressing of their 1996 album. Warner. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Sparkling Return From America's Finest, February 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sound of Lies (Audio CD)

Despite the sceptics and nay-sayers, Sound of Lies has turned out to be the most interesting, most arresting collection of songs the Jayhawks have ever released. This is the kind of album that slowly gets under your skin whether you want it to or not. I bought this album expecting to be disappointed. I wasn't blown away in the beginning but 4 years later, as a big Jayhawks fan, I can say it is certainly one of their strongest and most powerful efforts. It may not have the cohesiveness of Hollywood Town Hall or Tomorrow The Green Grass, but song for song, it is a superior album. Gary Louris's songwriting is top notch and he has gradually grown into what many consider to be an excellent rock and roll singer. Spend a weekend with this or take a long drive. I never wanted to admit it because Mark Olson was a favorite Jayhawks member, but Sound of Lies is gaining ground and has slowly become my favorite. It is also the one album that best represents the band's live sound on the road. The Jayhawks are special - now if radio would only start playing them, everyone could enjoy the magic. Highlights include "Sixteen Down" with Matthew Sweet on backing vocals, "Trouble" which probably would have been a huge hit if we could go back in time 25 years, "Haywire", "Dying On The Vine", and the gorgeous title track.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars? What was I thinking?, January 11, 2000

By	Jimbob (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sound of Lies (Audio CD)

I don't throw around five stars either, so Sound Of Lies must be that rare beast...a true classic.

It's definitely got that unrequited Blood On The Tracks vibe and like that album every track is near perfection.

You'll cry, you'll smile, you'll cry some more, and you'll play this one eternally. Best of all are the stirring ballads Trouble and Bottomless Cup (god, that song is good) and the sinister murder ballad Sixteen Down with monsieur Matthew Sweet on backing vocals puts even the great Nick Cave to shame.

ESSENTIAL!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An improbably great album, August 3, 2005

By	Robert Moore (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

After producing one of the greatest alternative country albums of all time in 1995, TOMORROW THE GREEN GRASS, group founder and co-creative talent Mark Olson decided to call it quits and struck out on his own solo career. This left the leadership of the band primarily on the shoulders of Gary Louris, who had always seemed to be very slightly the junior leader of the band. One would not have been surprised if the Jayhawks had gone into a bit of a dive, and turn out a mildly disappointing follow up. No such thing happened. Though Louris took the band in a slightly different direction, their first post-Mark Olson album was a brilliant success. It was less folksy and country than the previous albums, and more pop rock, but unless you are an alt country purist, there is nothing wrong with that. It is almost unheard of for a band to lose such a crucial member and nonetheless churn out another brilliant album. It is quite comparable to Alex Chilton leading Big Star to RADIO CITY after Chris Bell had to leave after #1 RECORD. Not unprecedented, therefore, but pretty darn close.

If previous Jayhawks albums had seemed more like collaborative efforts, SOUND OF LIES is very much a Gary Louris album. Instead of splitting vocals, primary guitar work, and songwriting, this is pretty much the Gary Louris show. And a very good show it is. The feel is very different from TOMORROW THE GREEN GRASS or HOLLYWOOD TOWN HALL, but it is still quite brilliant. Every song has an intense hook, fascinating lyrics, and the same musicianship of the previous albums. If sometimes you miss the purer country sound of the early efforts, you end up loving the new melodiousness of the new ones.

There really isn't a cut on this album that I don't like, and there are a number that I utterly love. I don't yet own an Ipod, but when I do a host of tracks from this one go right onto it. Several of the cuts are absolutely spectacular. My favorites will depend upon my mood on a particular listening, though "It's Up to You" is always a joy. "The Man Who Loves Life" starts off the album is another winner. I love the vocals on "Stick in the Mud," a great one to sing along with, and "Big Star" doesn't just reference America's greatest power pop band, but is a great song in its own right. "Sixteen Down" is great, as is the wonderfully nervous "Dying on the Vine." The album only starts to fade near the very end, ironically with the title track one of the weaker cuts on the disc.

Anyone wanting to try out the Jayhawks would do well with this one, but they should be warned that this is perhaps not the Jayhawks at their typically best. For that one needs either TOMORROW THE GREEN GRASS or HOLLYWOOD TOWN HALL. There is not question that THE SOUND OF LIES is a departure, but it is a very nice one that should not be missed.