Album: Mark Olson & Gary Louris, Ready for the Flood (Hacktone)

Estranged for years following Mark Olson's departure from The Jayhawks, the country-rock band of which they were the twin figureheads, the reunion of pianist Olson and guitarist Gary Louris has been one of the more heartening rapprochements of recent years.

Their weatherbeaten harmonies are quite gripping on this comeback album, their slightly sour, morose edge bringing an authentic astringency to "The Rose Society" and the haunting "Bicycle", which recalls the well-rooted sound of The Band. Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson proves an outstanding producer. The results offer impressive echoes of noble forerunners, from the ghostly memory of "The Weight" in "Kick the Wood" to the Calexico-esque mood of "Black Eyes" and the Raising Sand ambience of "My Gospel Song For You", while Olson and Louris's songwriting skills conjure vivid tableaux of human fallibility.

Pick of the album:'Bicycle', 'Saturday Morning on Sunday Street', 'Turn Your Pretty Name Around', 'Black Eyes'