Call it what you will, "Americana", "roots-rock" or "alt-country", in the case of the Jayhawks' major-label debut, it's simply great music. On these 10 tracks, Minnesotan singer/songwriters Gary Louris and Mark Olson mesh elements of rock,folk, and country into songs that sound both traditional and original at once. While their vocal harmonies follow the lineage of the Byrds and the Burrito Brothers, Olson and Louris are yin and yang on guitars, with Olson's steady acousticstrumming anchoring Louris' dynamic, fuzzed-out electric playing. Bassist Marc Perlman and drummer Ken Callahan providea solid rhythm foundation, with star session players Benmont Tench (Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello) and Nicky Hopkins (the Beatles, the Rolling Stones) lending additional embellishment on piano, organ, and keyboards.
"Waiting For the Sun" and "Settled Down Like Rain" are instant classics, songs of ragged beauty that sound familiar after one listen.Others like "Crowded in the Wings" and "Two Angels" (much improved over the BLUE EARTH version) are folky narratives that highlight Louris and Olson's penchant for romantic rural storytelling. With its catchy melodies and rustic charm, HOLLYWOOD TOWN HALL is truly a landmark album in American music.