Some albums are growers, taking time to work their magic on your mind,however every so often something hits you immediately, hitting all theright switches in you and demanding your rapt attention. With Magnolia Electric Co,Jason Molina's Songs: Ohia had me instantly spellbound. The album openswith "Farewell Transmission," a jaw dropping, eye widening,seven-minute song that is completely epic. The haunting, choral chantof "long dark blues" hints at what we should expect to come. It's thekind of song that's meant to close an album, not begin one, and sets aremarkably high bar for the following tracks. Thankfully, the materialthat follows is every bit as impressive, delving into those dark bluesbut also achieving moments of euphoric bliss. Recorded live to tapewith a ten piece band, the songs on Magnolia Electric Co. echothe folk rock of Neil Young's 'Harvest,' with Molina emerging as agifted, versatile songwriter. His lyrics express desire, longing, andhope with fantastic imagery made even more potent by the warm,soulfularrangements. Molina's vocals are bolstered by the sonorous backupvocals of Jennie Benford, which raise the chorus of "Just Be Simple" toan amazing high. Molina steps back from vocals a few times on thealbum, allowing Lawrence Peters to lend his deep, rugged voice to "TheOld Black Hen," making it sound straight out of Nashville's golden age.Magnolia Electric Co. reaches its emotional peak on 'John HenrySplit My Heart' which completely cuts loose, the band rocking at itshardest and tearing through as Molina reprises his chant of "long darkblues" tying the theme together at the highest moment of intensity. Theclosing coda of "Hold On, Magnolia" takes the album to a gentle andsatisfying conclusion that still makes you want to listen all the waythrough again immediately. A limited run of the album includes ninedemo tracks of the songs that went on to become Magnolia Electric Co.giving a fascinating look into Molina's process, as well as the addedbonus of tracks and verses that were left behind. Songs: Ohia havecrafted a masterpiece that is guaranteed to dazzle, its melodiesinscribing themselves in your mind and urging you to sing along. Don'tresist.Read More
