Didn't It Rain

Songs: Ohia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Secretly Canadian
• ASIN: B00005LOTI
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,422 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Album released in 2002.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly Gorgeous, May 20, 2002

By 

The Laughing World (Brisbane, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Didn't It Rain (Audio CD)

In this day and age of digital recording technology, it takes a brave (and talented) musician to be able to dare to make a record with little, let alone no guiding help from their nearest friendly computer. This makes Didn't It Rain, the new album by American artist Songs: Ohia all the more amazing, as it was recorded live in an abandoned factory in one take, with no overdubs. However, despite the potential for a muddied and clarity challenged recording, Songs: Ohia have managed to give this album a warm yet perfect production. Although only a seven track release, Didn't It Rain has enough raw emotion, subtle sensibilites and quirky nuances to make it worthwhile as a full album, being long enough to satisfy one's desire, but not long enough to get to the stage where it could potentially tire the listener (a trick many albums released recently have been unable to avoid). It's hard to recommend particular tracks for this album, as they are all superb individually and as a whole. However, Steve Albini's Blues, apart from having a great title, is a haunting piece full of the vocal desolation and desperation that is a trademark of Jason Molina's songs. 'Blue Factory Flame' is the other track that warrants particular attention. This song has an air of being faster or more upbeat than the preceding quartet of songs on the album, although with repeated listens this really is only because of the appearance of drums. The appearance of said drums and bass, despite not appearing until this stage, aren't a distraction, but instead provide another palette for Molina's grief, with the 'chorus' refrain of "paralyzed by emptiness" being emphasised by Jennie Benford's gorgeous and mournful backing vocals. Didn't It Rain is a superb album, already one of my favourites for 2002, and hopefully with great songs and a record company push, Songs: Ohia will gain more of the recognition he so rightly deserves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The theme is blue..., March 27, 2003

By 

"sbrooks76" (Newark, De United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Didn't It Rain (Audio CD)

And it is good. Molina's mode is mellow, melodic and masterful! Any album by Songs is worthy of five stars. I echo the sentiment that bands like Songs are a great alternative to the over-elctronicification of rock (if that is a word). Molina's voice isn't the best, but it is perfect. Quivering, honest and blunt it presents the lyric right to the heart. Patient and exact, Didn't It Rain is both somber and celebratory. You can listen to Songs: Ohia and although songs of sadness at times, they are empowering as Molina promises we aren't helpless. This album is not over-saturated with that "emo" element that makes some albums a whiny mess at times. Bold vocals, music and lyrics make Songs a listening utopia and this album a block in the neighborhood...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This will make my Top 10 of 2002, April 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Didn't It Rain (Audio CD)

Jason Molina has outdone himself... this record is beautifully written, performed, and recorded. Don't expect a happy record, but don't expect some Robert Smith-style self-obsession either. "Didn't it Rain" hints at Neil Young and Nick Drake, but it has it's own identity. Dare I say it? Classic.