Customer Reviews

Didn't It Rain

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

Molina's honest vocals alone on this album make it a riveting and exquisite experience. I enjoy his voice much more than Oldham's and this album is why. An everyman voice accompanied by the sweet female voice layed over modest and deliberate music make this album near perfect. The mood and theme is the same throughout the album. Despite the obvious blue theme the tempo and atmosphere are similar throughout, and after you listen you will be glad it is. Molina knows how to orchestrate a song so well that in its little pulses it draws your right in and you wish you could just grasp and hold onto the moments of exquisite bliss. The best thing about Songs is that they don't succumb to the "emo", self-interested movement that is so popular. Transcendent themes and bold lyrics dont get bogged down in cliche narcissisms and the album provides a beautiful, noble and resilient musical experience...Buy anything by this band

I tried liking this album but it doesn't get me. It reminded me too much of Palace (Will Oldham) in the way of singing, themes and guitarplaying. Only addition is a nice female voice.

It may be a special way of recording for some (This happened a lot about a decade ago btw) but I don't think I will play this CD a lot. The songs are long and all of them in the same tempo as well.

this is a great album. if you think you might like songs:ohia, magnolia electric co., or jason molina, buy this ablum. minimalist type folk, sweetly depressing, great sounding recording, and steve albini doing backing vocals on one track; who could ask for more?

I only wish I had the words to describe to you what a great album this is. The best advice I can give you is to go to your local Barnes and Noble, and check it out under their Red Dot samples. It gives you great insight into Jason Molina, his style, and gives a great description to the genre and style of music you are going to hear. It's a beautiful piece of musical art, and I plan on purchasing the whole Songs Ohia collection.

I got this on cd right when it came out but it was so good that i had to get it on vinyl. I can't say enough about it (other than i wouldn't really call it goth pop by any means.)Every album of Jason's is different and if you're familiar with his work, then you should enjoy this immensely. People who claim ghost tropic as his masterpiece are gravely mistaken. This entire album,especially the last four songs, is unbelievable. Get it NOW...

Impressive but kind of boring after the first few songs. Reminded me of early Bruce Cockburn. I listened to it only three times - so pay more attention to the other reviews. Just my experience of it.

This is the first time I have ever listened to a Marmoset album. Truthfully, I don't know to much about the band. But I am very impressed by Record In Red. It makes me think of a very dark swampy area with rays of sunshine breaking through. This band has potential. Lots of potential. The last track on the album titled Walking Thru The Lake will prove to anyone how Marmoset can be the next big indie hit. There bass lines are thick, but they still have a certain amount of poppiness to them. Kind of like a Goth Pop. If there is such a thing. I hate categorizing music cause I suck at it. I just know what I like and what I don't like, and this album I like.