Songs: Ohia, The Magnolia Electric Co (Secretly Canadian) - Album review

Jason Molina died earlier this year. He was 39 years old. He released albums under the names Songs: Ohia and Magnolia Electric Co and sometimes even as plain Jason Molina. These albums didn’t sell a whole heap but they meant a lot to a few, and this one – released here in a “10th anniversary deluxe edition” – is arguably his best.

The mainstream music world did not mourn Molina’s passing but this reviewer did, and spreading the word about his heart-rendingly beautiful music is one small way of countering those years of neglect.

Fans of On the Beach-era Neil Young in particular should investigate Molina’s “long, dark blues” – they are as ragged and glorious and sad and life-affirming as rock music gets.