The Jayhawks

If you're wondering what Gary Louris would do without longtime songwriting partner Mark Olsen, take a hint from the title of the track "Big Star." Sound Of Lies is about as alt country as a $50 haircut, as pop singles like "Trouble" and "The Man Who Loved Life" glisten with appropriately lacquered production. Though it has its share of duds (like the weakly psychedelic, silly tune "Poor Little Fish") Louris' solo writing has winning moments. Unfortunately, none of them are as good as "Bottomless Cup," which was written and sung by drummer Tim O'Reagan.

With each passing year, the rolling stones' "exile on Main Street" looms ever larger over
rock & roll. In the mid-'80s, noise punks Pussy Galore recorded their deconstructed version
of the album; in the early '90s, postmodern singer/songwriter Liz Phair claimed her debut
album, Exile in Guyville, was a song-by-song response to the 1972 Stones LP. And at the end
of last year, country rockers Wilco released Being There as a double CD, replica... More >