Singer-songwriter Jason Molina (Songs: Ohia, Magnolia Electric Co.) is back with Autumn Bird Songs, his first new music since 2009’s Molina & Johnson release. Molina made these recordings several years ago before health problems, rehab and financial problems sidelined his music career. Autumn Bird Songs was recorded with just Molina, his acoustic guitar and a cheap recorder, resulting in a spare and somber album. Molina’s lo-fi, DIY approach adds layers of texture and atmosphere, from the haunting openness of the expansive room to the subtle sounds of the recorder as it captures noise and separates tracks like “Heart My Heart”, “A Sad Hard Change” and “Shore to Shore.” Like past releases, Autumn Bird Songs is filled with familiar themes like ghost stories, dusty vistas, lonesome highways, restless travelers and hard times. Autumn Bird Songs clocks in with eight quick songs running a total 22 minutes and is available as a limited edition 10-inch packaged with an 82-page book by his friend William Schaff’s artwork and an introduction written by John Darnielle (Mountain Goats). If you are a fan of Songs: Ohia or Magnolia Electric Co., you will definitely enjoy Molina’s long awaited return. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Centro-matic, Damien Jurado, Magnolia Electric Co., Will Oldham, Songs: Ohia, Sun Kil Moon