Mockingbird Time is The Jayhawks new album. In case you didn’t know, it’s been a little while since their last album, Rainy Day Music (2003). And that album was without Mark Olsen, as were several albums before. Olsen left for personal reasons. But on Mockingbird Time he returns and the album is the stronger for it.
Mockingbird Time is classic Jayhawks with their alt/country flavor. There’s much to appreciate and enjoy here. The music feels like it should. The songs are fun. And the new, reformed lineup even appear to enjoy the jamming moments before they get into the singing, as if they’re in a garage somewhere.
There are some pretty fine tunes here, “Mockingbird Time,” a very ‘70s-like country-infused “Tiny Arrows” that has a subtle hint of America (the band), a similar “Stand Out In the Rain,” and an awesome “Hey Mr Man.”
They wanted to make something for us that bring us joy. With Mockingbird Time, I think they made a pretty good thing.
