Paging Mr. Proust

AlbumApr 29 / 201612 songs, 45m 44s
Americana Alt-Country
Noteable

Paging Mr. Proust features the long-time core of the Jayhawks: Gary Louris (lead vox/guitars), Marc Perlman (bass), Tim O’Reagan (drums/vox), and Karen Grotberg (keyboards/vox). Paging Mr. Proust was co-produced by Louris, REM’s Peter Buck and Tucker Martine (The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, My Morning Jacket) and recorded at Martine’s Flora Recording & Playback in Portland, OR. From the jangle of album opener “Quiet Corners & Empty Spaces” to the trademark harmonies of “Isabel’s Daughter” to the more pensive “Lover Of The Sun”, it is clear that The Jayhawks’ power remains undiminished from their initial national impact, 1992’s Hollywood Town Hall. Other tracks such as the sludgy rocker “Lost The Summer”, the kraut-rock groove of “Ace” and the taut minimalism of “Comeback Kids” bring new sounds to the palette. “Leaving The Monsters Behind” features a trademark vocal turn from special guest Mike Mills. “We worked harder in pre-production than any previous Jayhawks record,” says Louris, having demoed most of the songs in his home studio before extensive workshopping with the band, and eventually recording in the hospitable confines of Martine’s studio. Paging Mr. Proust shows a commitment to adventure and forward motion, which makes this collection of songs exciting and instantly memorable.

7.1 / 10

Somehow Gary Louris and Marc Perlman have persevered. The singer/guitarist and bassist co-founded the Jayhawks with Mark Olson more than 30 years ago, and they've kept at it through various lineup changes that have included Olson leaving, returning and leaving again. He's absent on the band's ninth album, Paging Mr. Proust, which pairs Louris and Perlman with Tomorrow the Green Grass-era members Karen Grotberg on keys and vocals and Tim O'Reagan on drums.

Check out our album review of Artist's Paging Mr. Proust on Rolling Stone.com.

Also includes Wire: Nocturnal Koreans, The Jayhawks: Paging Mr. Proust  and Robin McKelle: The Looking Glass

Discover Paging Mr. Proust by The Jayhawks released in 2016. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

7 / 10

Perhaps the most quietly influential Americana band of the past 30 years, Minnesota's Jayhawks never achieved the commercial success that ma...

7 / 10

Five years ago, the Jayhawks reunited, with original co-leader Mark Olson returning alongside Gary Louris, to release the delightful Mockingbird Time.

Paging Mr ProustArtist: The JayhawksGenre: AlternativeLabel: ShamMy dictionary defines the sweet spot as “the area on a bat, club or racket at which it makes most effective contact with the ball”.

8 / 10