Brood-meister Jason Molina, otherwise know as Songs: Ohia, pursues his artistic vision with a consistency rarely seen this side of Texas outsider musician/recluse Jandek. THE LIONESS, his fourth full length CD, still continues with the deep indigo twilight vibe of his previous work. This is a melancholy disc best listened to at 2:00 am, alone with your broken heart.
Recorded in Scotland with pals from the equally doom-laden Arab Strap and Appendix Out, THE LIONESS stretches the Songs: Ohia format away from the cryptic turf he established so well on his earlier recordings. There's more of a live band sound and a real emotional directness to the lyrics. A few of the songs approach epic lengths; the opening track clocks in at over seven minutes. The disc also forms a pleasing emotional arc, the last two tracks being Molina, alone with his guitar, singing barely above a whisper.
Professional Reviews
Uncut (p.120) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[T]he textures became starker...[with] brushed snare and trembly guitar..."
CMJ (1/24/00, p.25) - "...9 arresting affairs of the heart....delving into the darker side of [Jason] Molina's psyche....Although it's musically modest and somewhat heartrending, THE LIONESS manages to let out a quiet roar."
