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Steve Hutchins
This is one of those albums you might purchase for the sole reason of the amazing cover art (done by Will Schaff) and come to find out that the music is even better. Now it's included in your vicious cycle of 5 records that you play weeks on end when you have the option of hundreds. By "you" I mean me, but if that actually does describe you then you're probably listening to Magnolia while reading this and therefore already know everything I'm about to say about this album.
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Magnolia Electric Co.'s self-titled album fronted by Jason Molina was released by Secretly Canadian in early 2003 and was the turning point from Molina's former band, Songs: Ohia, which he formed in 1996. Magnolia has an uncanny similarity to Neil Young with a dash of Bonnie Prince Billy. By no means though is Molina a replica or someone to be duplicated.
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"Farewell Transmission" starts out this alt-country/psychedelic rock eight track LP and is quite possibly one of the most addictive songs ever recorded. Molina's dark lyrical witticism is matched with his perfect harmonies throughout this improvised track and for that matter, the rest of the album. Molina picks up the pace with the second track. "I've Been Riding With The Ghost" is about trying to make a change and is quite possibly about Molina's ongoing battle with drug addiction. Other notable tracks on this album are "Old Black Hen," a taste of real country with guest vocals by Scout Niblett; "John Henry Split My Heart," matches the intensity of "I've Been Riding With The Ghost" and ends with the same chilling "long dark blues" chorus as heard in "Farewell Transmission". "Hold On Magnolia" is the closing track and appropriately placed. The other three tracks, "Just Be Simple," "Almost Was Good Enough," and "Peoria Lunch box Blues" are the less notable tracks but are in no way weak. This album is the perfect companion for solo listening whether it be a road trip or hanging out in the house.
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Molina has been on a bit of a hiatus as of 2009 due to medical issues. His family and friends started the Jason Molina Medical Fund to try to help with his outstanding medical bills. Graveface records has started a campaign on Kickstarter ending January 11 focusing on Will Schaff (the artist of the cover) and Jason Molina. You can donate from $1-2000 receiving various tidings in return but if you Spend $60 you will be given a limited edition 60 page art book and a 10" color vinyl of unreleased songs from Molina. Ten percent of the proceeds from this campaign will go to Molina's fund. Hopefully, through this funding Molina will come back from this break and grace us with another great album.
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There are some artists that you hope stay under the radar whether it be wanting to keep an album for your own ears or maybe you might think this artist would change after a taste of success. Then there are some artists that you wish would be heard by the masses for the simple fact of wanting them to excel and stay around to make great music for years to come. Western outlaw manbeast Jake Smith aka, The White Buffalo, is the latter.
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The White Buffalo is the musicians' musician. He's managed to get his music out primarily by word of mouth and without a record label backing him. He started out getting gigs at local dive bars by leaving samples of his songs on their voicemails. Eventually, word got around the country of TWB and he started touring outside of California and now nation wide. Now his musics even spread as far as being on the soundtrack of the hit show, Sons of Anarchy.
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TWB's intensely dark stories of love/loss, boozing and murder began with his first album "Hogtied Like A Rodeo" which was recorded at a friends house over 3 months of whiskey infused nights. Some standouts are "The Madman" (an upbeat angst murder song), "The Woods" (a haunting acoustic tale) , and "Bar and the Beer" (naturally, a drinking song). Following, are his EP's "The White Buffalo EP" (2005) and "Prepare For Black And Blue EP" (2010) with memorables such as "Love Song 1" (The perfect love song to dedicate to your other half), "Oh Darlin' What Have I Done" (a twisted tale of a man who murders to please his wife), and "Black and Blue" (about a relationship on the rocks).
In "Lost & Found EP" Jake is joined by longtime friends Matt Lynott (drums) and Tommy Andrews (bass) to make this perfectly compiled five song EP. It might as well be fifteen songs because you're bound to play it another two times after realizing that this is the greatest music to hit your ears since the lullabies that your mother used to sing to you.
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If you're lucky enough to have TWB come through your town be sure not to miss out on a great performance and make sure to pick up a cd being that they are very exclusive. If you love this EP and demand more, you are in luck. "How The West Was Won" is a full length album due to come out February 2012.
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the white buffalo
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