Jayhawks, The Vinyl Records
Led by the gifted songwriting, impeccable playing, and honeyed harmonies of vocalists/guitarists Mark Olson and Gary Louris, the Jayhawks' shimmering blend of country, folk, and bar band rock made them one of the most widely acclaimed artists to emerge from the alternative country scene of the '80s. Playing downcast, folk-leaning pop with Neil Young-informed country accents, the band emerged from the Minneapolis music scene in the mid-'80s, and after a pair of early independent releases, the group became critical favourites and cult heroes with the release of their first major-label album, 1992's superb Hollywood Town Hall.