Blindsided by this, really sad. The list of Albini's productions is jaw-dropping. Magnolia Electric Company is one of the great pieces of post-industrial Americana, bleak and beautiful. Farewell Transmission is Jason Molina's most powerful recording, but the album (incl. outtakes) is stacked. Heavy & gorgeous, suitable for the moment.
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Magnolia Electric Co. - Jason Molina & Songs: Ohia
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. It was produced by Steve Albini (R.I.P) and was at the height of Jason Molina's career. A few songs legitimately floor me every time I hear them. Farewell Transmission is at the very top of that list. Everything about it hits me viscerally, from the gorgeous lyrics ("Mama here comes midnight with the dead moon in its jaws"), to that goddamn perfect ending cutting out at just the right moment. "Listen!"
The rest of the album carries on from there, sprawling farther and farther with each song after the opener, and god if Hold On Magnolia isn't a hell of a bookend. The sheer pathos and emotion of this album is incredible. But fuck me if Farewell Transmission isn't just one of the greatest songs of all time.
Anywho, definitely give it a listen!
Feb 3, 2025
Seven years ago The Ophelias made Always, the prettiest indie album ever.
This new album, produced by Julien Baker, isn’t so pretty. The instruments are turned up and chaotic. Spencer Peppet’s vocals can be difficult to find in that loud mix when first listening, but they’re there and they’re urgent. Her lyrics are like poems with choruses. They aren’t always the most rhythmic or musical, like it’s more important to get her thoughts out than to craft a perfect verse.
They’ve tagged this album as “mermaid rock” and “nature punk” and I think you’ll see that those are fitting descriptions!
Cumulonimbus is a good song to start with. Salome is a banger!
22h ago
Listened to this album nonstop the year I moved away from home. It’s devastating and moody and completely beautiful lyrically. My fav band forever ❤️
Aug 16, 2024
Top Recs from @djt
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Tearing up right now instead of working. I moved to the city as the last of Williamsburg's artistic energy was spent, and I moved to the edge of the neighborhood after it was already hollowed out. God bless the few places that are still interesting: Spectacle, Union Pool, Ore Bar, Blue Sun, Miriam Gallery, The P.I.T., Baby's, etc.
Are there places in NYC with a real artistic scene now, or did our new way of living end that possibility? Please don't say Hudson, there's no way I can learn to make furniture.
Jan 30, 2024
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More of a look back on the making of the album, no footage from the actual recording, iirc. But great banter, good insights into the process.
The Wilco doc about making Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is good and dramatic, too—I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Jan 25, 2024
And then filming it on your phone and putting it in a music video. And then linking that in a recommendation here on PI dot FYI.
Jun 5, 2024