The Magnolia Electric Co. is the seventh and final album by Songs: Ohia. It was recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago and released by Secretly Canadian on March 4, 2003. The naming of the album and comments by Jason Molina have led to discussions whether it is not simultaneously, in fact, the debut album by Molina's new band, also named Magnolia Electric Co.
The Magnolia Electric Co. | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | March 3, 2003[1] | |||
Recorded | July 1–3, 2002 | |||
Studio | Electrical Audio, Chicago, Illinois | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 45:09 | |||
Label | Secretly Canadian | |||
Producer | Steve Albini | |||
Songs: Ohia, or Magnolia Electric Co. chronology | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 85/100[2] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [3] |
The Boston Phoenix | [4] |
Consequence of Sound | [5] |
The Independent | [6] |
Mojo | [7] |
Now | [8] |
Pitchfork | 8.2/10 (2003)[9] 9.0/10 (2013)[10] |
PopMatters | 9/10[11] |
Record Collector | [12] |
Uncut | [13] |
The artwork for the album does not contain the name Songs: Ohia anywhere, though the center label of the vinyl record does say "Songs: Ohia." On the other hand, the album was recorded with different musicians than the later members of Magnolia Electric Co., and the decision to take on the new name was not announced until the tour following the release in the spring of 2003. Molina later declared Didn't It Rain to be the final Songs: Ohia album.[14]
Magnolia digs into alt-country and "red-blood, full-throated" country rock, as well as seeing the band draw from both “orthodox” Americana and “otherworldly atmosphere”.[10][15] It also works in roots rock, while the arrangements and songwriting echo 70s outlaw country.[5][8]
All songs written by Jason Molina.
The Japanese edition contains an additional track, "The Big Game Is Every Night". The first U.S. edition contained a bonus disk of demo recordings by Jason Molina.
The 10” was only available with the first 3,000 copies of the 2xLP. Both tracks are included at the end of first CD on the 2xCD edition.[16]