Gary Louris - True Blue

Gary Louris (former frontman of The Jayhawks) is pretty much a living legend in my mind. I think it might be years down the road but someday someone "important" will dust off one of the many incredible Jayhawks' albums, give it a spin in a old clunky CD player, and the world will realize what an amazing band The Jayhawks were. And Gary Louris is largely responsible for that. When one-half of their front-duo Mark Olson left the band in the mid-nineties I remember wondering how the band could even continue. Well they went on to make three of my all-time favorite albums with Louris as captain.

The bottom line is when Louris is in control, he is incapable of making a bad album. I use the phrase "in control" because I haven't particularly enjoyed the past two Golden Smog albums (a side collaboration project he's been involved with where he's likely forced to go with other musician's ideas that suck).

True Blue is distinctly Louris. Well every song that guy sings is distinctly Louris. He has one of the most recognizable voices out there. Fans of The Jayhawks should not be disappointed with this album. My favorite track so far is "She Only Calls Me On Sundays." Instant classic.