•
Rating: The very limit of human nature is the inability to renew oneself, Jason Molina must have thought.
"The Magnolia Electric Co." is, from this perspective, an album of profound transformation. Setting aside inner psychological troubles and minimalistic urges, nightingale songs, and expansive arpeggios, the small man from Ohio (even smaller when seen up close: seeing is believing) now embraces a decidedly fuller sound and, flanked by a band of flesh and blood, lines up a series of sounds with a vague '60s flavor.
Live, amidst the blues-laden walls of the Big Mama, the songs admit no half measures, enhanced by a talented country-blues touch, rich and dense (Mr. Steve Albini's production has borne good fruit).
It begins with "At Least The Dark Don’t Hide It," embellished by the talented improvisational work of the guitarist (Dan Sullivan?).
"Don’t This Look Like The Dark" is a rock punch to the gut, and you find yourself lost among the crowd that starts to heat up (but are we really sure this is Songs - Jason Molina - Ohia?), a long acid ride that foreshadows the two gems of the evening: "untitled #1 and #2" should be listened to by force, with sweet and ethereal harmonies of trumpet and drums, perfect balance between ecstasy and awakening.
It closes after (the few) 60 minutes with "Almost Was Good Enough" and "Big Beast," smoky murmurs of a rock gazing across the best of the late '60s and early '70s, almost as if the best of the latter-day Wilco really set the pace.
Final touch for a personal note: besides being talented musicians, the four Songs: Ohia proved to be delightful and kind people, even to a talented pain in the neck like myself, very approachable even for a friendly chat about Wire, of whom they profess to be great admirers.
Loading comments slowly
