This shimmering sleeper of a solo debut should surprise even diehard fans of
the Jayhawks, the band in which Tim O`Reagan played a comparatively
low-profile role as the drummer. Here, his homespun pop with psychedelic
glimmers features lush harmonies, buoyant melodies, offbeat arrangements
(including his dad as guest whistler on the opening "These Days"), and
multi-instrumental overdubbing by O`Reagan (supported by Jayhawks alums and
kindred spirits). The results suggest an unlikely blend of a rootsier Left
Banke, a cheerier Elliott Smith, and a heartland George Harrison. The
yearning "River Bends," with its steel guitar, would have been a highlight
on any Jayhawks album. "4 stars.. When the Jayhawks decided to go on
hiatus in 2005, there were probably very few fans asking themselves, "Gee, I
wonder what the drummer is going to do next?" But it turns out the guy was
someone to watch -- Tim O`Reagan, who spent ten years behind the traps with
the Jayhawks and previously played with the Leatherwoods and Joe Henry,
happens to be a gifted songwriter who has a real knack for great pop tunes.
As you might expect, Tim O`Reagan has more than a few numbers with the sort
of autumnal alt-country undertow that was the Jayhawks` trademark (such as
"River Bends"), but the man can also put together a citified Beatlesque
arrangement complete with glorious stacked harmonies ("Highway Flowers") and
a bit of twang-infused chamber pop that wouldn`t seem out of place on
Wilco`s Summerteeth ("These Things")."-AMG.
 Anybody`s Only - mp3
These Things - mp3
River Bends - mp3 | 
