Sooner or later, everybody needs to rock out. In 2003, Jason Molina, the man they called Songs: Ohia, felt that very need, gathering a group of four musicians to help him in doing so and calling the finished result Magnolia Electric Co.. Eventually, this would become the band's name, as recent releases have made apparent. But at the time, it was something of a transition for Molina, who had put aside his penchant for sad, quiet balladry, plugged-in and to paraphrase Bob Dylan, played fucking loud. But Molina wasn't quite ready to give up the name Songs: Ohia at this point either. This was his final farewell to his former moniker, as fans would soon be introduced to his new project, a good old-fashioned rock `n' roll band.

Compared to the quieter moods of Didn't It Rain or The Lioness, Magnolia Electric Co. was a classic American rock album, often soliciting comparisons to Neil Young or, at times, Bob Seger. The opening track, ironically titled "Farewell Transmission," is everything a rock song should be: epic, loud and powerful. With some rugged power chords and some mandatory lap steel leads, "Farewell Transmission" opened a new chapter in Molina's fakebook, making way for an exciting new aspect of the singer-songwriter.

As fantastic as "Transmission" is, it's merely the beginning. "I've Been Riding With the Ghost" is haunting in an On the Beach sort of way, while "Just Be Simple" is a good, rootsy country ballad. "Almost Was Good Enough" reveals the melancholy, stark songwriter of before, but an amped-up version, with distorted guitars, Hammond and heavily-layered backup harmonies. Some guest vocalists prove their talents on the country & western "The Old Black Hen" and the torchy ballad "Peoria Lunch Box." But Molina returns with some revved-up rock riffage on "John Henry Split My Heart," one of the best tracks on the album.

Songs: Ohia never really rocked before Magnolia Electric Co.. Molina had plenty of great songs and varying levels of production applied to them, but this was a turning point for the singer-songwriter, opening the door for a long career of rocking ahead of him. Any fan of classic rock will attach themselves quickly to this one, as well as any fan of innovative indie rock. It's Molina's marriage of an unusual approach to an American tradition resulted in one hell of an album, and a fitting retirement for the Songs: Ohia name.

Similar albums:
Neil Young - On the Beach
Palace - Viva Last Blues
Damien Jurado - I Break Chairs


Jeff Terich
05.22.2005