The Jayhawks seem to split up and get back together about as frequently as Eminem and his wife/ex-wife/wife/ex-wife Kim Mathers. Meanwhile, the individual members of the band have been working on some very cool side projects. There’s a new Golden Smog album, Gary Louris plays on both the new Rhett Miller and the Dixie Chicks’ latest, and now drummer Tim O’Reagan has come out from behind the kit for a solo debut. He proves his formidable skill as a songwriter, arranger, and player of guitar and bass (as well as drums) on this album. It’s a surprisingly polished affair ornamented with accordion, skillful whistling from his dad, and a few predictable guest spots by his Minneapolis pals. Overall, O’Reagan achieves an easygoing lightheartedness that mostly proved elusive for the Jayhawks, what with all their heartaches.
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