Sonic research and explorations from the outer groove
Style: Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Morning, Reflective, Soothing, Gentle, Bittersweet, Warm, Mellow, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Soft, Vocal Harmonies, Melodic, Sparse, Polished Production
Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Piano, Harmonium, Glockenspiel, Keyboards
Style: Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Bittersweet, Reflective, Breakup, Intimate, Introspective, Melancholy, Poetic, Sombre, Longing
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Sparse, Acoustic, Slow
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Alt-Country
Vibe: Observational, Deadpan, Earthy, Reflective, Rustic, Confident, Warm, Storytelling, Contemplative, Loner
Qualities: Lush, Choral Vocals, Lyrical, Rhythmic, Simple
Style: Singer/Songwriter
HGM Side: Americana, Warm, Contemplative, Sunny, Rural, Passionate, Spiritual, Introspective
Chapman Side: Chamber Folk, Melancholy, Morning, Mellow, Autumnal, Reflective, Storytelling
Style: Country Rock, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Sunny, Rustic, Romantic, Warm, Summer, Sleek, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Lush Arrangements, Polished Production, Melodic, Groovy, Technical
Style: Swamp Psych, Southern Gothic, Country Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Murky, Brooding, Bluesy, Adventure
Musical Qualities: Droney, Suite, Improvisation, Crescendo, Modal
Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Organ, Grendel Drone Commander, Drums
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Progressive Country
Vibe: Introspective, Reflective, Heartfelt, Bittersweet, Longing, Lush, Warm, Soothing, Rustic, Tender, Sentimental, Spiritual, Contemplative, Intimate
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lyrical, Melodic, Orchestral, Polished, Background Vocals
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country, Slowcore
Vibe: Tender, Bittersweet, Stark, Cryptic, Storytelling, Melancholy, Lethargic, Poetic, Autumnal, Heartfelt, Mellow, Playful
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Soft, Sparse
While Magnolia Electric Co’s final record is still tinged with the weariness & melancholy that pervades all of Jason Molina’s previous work, Josephine also feels imbued with vital life force, bittersweet romance, and hopefulness that make it uplifting despite the odds.
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Recommended if you dig dobro & lap steel, ditch-trilogy Neil young, and autumnal contemplation
Style: Mystical Americana, Ritual Folk, Loner Folk
Vibe: Seeking, Contemplative, Gentle, Spiritual, Heartfelt, Intimate, Healing, Mystical, Pantheistic, Reflective, Soothing, Introspective, Warm, Nature
Musical Methods: Acoustic, Suite, Raga, Lyrical, Soft, Droney, Fingerstyle
Style: Loner Folk, Weird Americana, Folk Rock, Singer Songwriter
Vibe: Peaceful, Melancholy, Reflective, Romantic, Gentle, Rustic, Warm, Autumnal, Bittersweet, Breezy, Contemplative, Lethargic, Mellow, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Soft, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies, Acoustic, Atmospheric
Style: Dream Folk, Jazz-Folk, Warped Americana
Vibes: Warm Melancholy, Springtime Reflection, Rootsy, Early Afternoons in the Garden, Dreamy, Intertwined, Heartfelt
Musical Qualities: Lush; Improvised Arrangements; Studio-as-an-Instrument, Melodic, Vocal Fx
Instrumentation: Banjo, Saxophone, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Flute, Acoustic Bass, Synthesizers, Piano
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Country-Jazz, Jazz Theater
Vibe: Rural, Historical, Sombre, Resolute, Intertwined, Passionate, Storytelling, Determined, Resolute, Heartfelt, Complex, Theatric, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Suite, Acoustic, Progressive, Collective Improvisation, Polyphonic, Dynamic, Technical
Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Drone, Free Improvisation, Post-Rock
Vibe: Weary, Hopeful, Rustic, Communal, Spiritual, Ragged, Eerie, Melancholy, Deconstructed, Hypnotic, Communal, Haunting, Raw, Suspenseful, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Lo-Fi, Atmospheric, Droney, Group Vocals, Dub FX
Instrumentation: Electric Guitars, Vibraphone, Flute, Drums, Violin, Cello, Clarinet, Saxophone, Banjo, Melodica, Sitar, Electronics, Turntable, Keyboards, Trumpet, Electric Bass
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore, Alt-Country, Loner Folk
Vibe: Existential, Warm, Morning, Spiritual, Deadpan, Peaceful, Poetic, Introspective, Lonely, Melancholy, Mellow, Contemplative, Intimate
Musical Qualities: Slow, Lo-fi, Lush, Soft, Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Pedal Steel, Piano, Hammond Organ, Guitar, Trumpet, Drums, Drum Machine, Hurdy Gurdy, French Horn
Style: American Primitivism, Singer/Songwriter, Folk, Raga?Vibe: Mystical, Nature, Open, Passionate, Pastoral, Peaceful, Airy, Contemplative, Earthy, Impressionistic, Meditative, Morning, Spring, Spiritual,
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Indian-Influenced, Sparse, Technical
Style: Country, Folk
Vibes: Melancholy, Desert, Western, Sombre, Lonely, Sad, Breezy, Peaceful, Dreamy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Lush
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica, Dobro, Piano, Fiddle, Trombone, Saxophone, Sousaphone, Trumpet, Flute, Congas, Electric Bass
LP, Anti- Records, 2002 (2016, RE) Style: Gothic Americana, Alt-Country, Singer/Songwriter Vibe: Bittersweet, Rebellious, Haunting, Western, Passionate, Energetic, Longing, Anthemic, … More
Vibe: Contemplative, Tender, Soothing, Warm, Bittersweet, Rustic, Open, Pastoral, Light
Themes: Family, Existential, Spirituality, Love
Musical Qualities: Soft, Melodic, Vocal Harmonies, Atmospheric Production, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Banjo, Piano, Organ, Harmonica, Mandolin Synthesizer, Electric Bass, Lap Steel Slide Guitar, Omnichord, Drums, Percussion
Style: Alt-Country, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Bittersweet, Warm, Angsty, Rustic, Heartfelt, Confident, Passionate, Twangy, Love, Breakup, Reflective, Sentimental, Lush, Rootsy
Instrumentation: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Lap Steel & Pedal Steel Slide Guitars, Fiddle, Electric & Upright Basses, Drums, Vocal Harmonies, Banjo, Mandolin, Organ, Accordion
Style: Americana, Folk
Vibe: Pastoral, Breezy, Sunny, Morning, Rustic, Warm, Rootsy
Instrumentation: Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar, Pedal Steel, Upright Bass, Drums, Harmonica
A sprawling meditation on American melancholy & discontent by ways of gothic country, loner folk, country rock, slowcore and folk-blues songwriters.
Style: Americana, Country Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock
Vibe: Warm, Introspective, Existential, Rustic, Mystical, Reflective, Uplifting, Christian
Musical Qualities: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Loner Folk, Slowcore-Country
Vibes: Contemplative, Bittersweet, Warm, Loner, Mellow, Uplifting, Love, Break-up, Intimate, Heartfelt, Playful, Soothing, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Lyrical, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Warm, Spring, Rootsy, Peaceful, Tender, Morning, Rustic, Lethargic, Nature
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies, Melodic
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Grunge Folk, Americana
Vibe: Depressive, Lonely, Regretful, Gruff, Ragged, Lethargic, Rustic, Haunting
These guys are my favorite American Rock band. Every album they’ve released explores different sides of rock, folk, experimental and psychedelic music in such a natural, unforced way that my mind usually envisions them jamming by a campfire in the woods. What’s even better is I imagine I’m there with them singing along and worshipping the great creative spirit that inspires their music. There’s such an unpretentious, inclusive sense of community and spirituality in their music that I can’t help but feel welcomed and embraced into the family.
Style: Free Folk, Mystical Americana, Post-Rock
Vibe: Ragged, Deconstructed, Rustic, Warm, Communal, Ritualistic, Messy, Raw, Triumphant, Mystical, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Group Vocals, Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Loose, Lo-fi
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica, Vibraphone, Slide Guitar, Fiddle, Saxophone, Drums, Upright Bass
Style: Creative Music, Future Jazz, Organic Beat Music, Pan-Americana, Art Pop
Vibe: Romantic, Sci-Fi, Determined, Triumphant, Colorful, Eclectic, Communal, Futuristic, Groovy, Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm
Musical Qualities: Thematic, Polyphonic, Percussive, Polyrythmic, Percussive, Improvisation, Electro-Acoustic, Progressive
Style: Dream Country, Slow-Drip Americana, Gothic Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Sedated, Nocturnal, Contemplative, Dreamy, Haunting, Pastoral, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Slow, Sparse, Acoustic, Lyrical
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Vibe: Peaceful, Rustic, Deadpan, Mellow, Lethargic, Nature, Warm, Morning
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Slow, Vocal Harmonies, Lush, Simple
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Lap Steel & Pedal Steel Guitars, Strings, Upright Bass, Vibraphone, Tabla, Bongos
Style: Gothic Americana, Experimental Folk-Rock
Vibe: Rustic, Creepy, Surreal, Autumnal, Nihilistic, Disturbing, Dark, Bittersweet, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Rhythmic, Repetition, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Ditch Americana, Country Rock, Folk Rock
Moods: Loner, Introspective, Melancholy, Alienation, Bittersweet, Apocalyptic, Depressive, Lonely, Sombre, Rebellious
Style: Warped Americana, Free Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Heartfelt, Airy, Raw, Lethargic, Soft, Psychedelic, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Loose, Lyrical, Acoustic
Instrumentation: Vocals, Banjo, Electric Guitar w/ Fx, Lap Steel, Drums
Style: Progressive Bluegrass, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Energetic, Heartfelt, Rootsy, Communal, Passionate, Sunny, Warm
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lyrical, Fast, Technical
Instrumentation: Mandolin, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion, Banjo, Upright Bass
Style: Americana, Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Slowcore
Vibe: Moody, Cryptic, Grim, Playful, Surreal, Stark, Sexual, Bittersweet, Warm, Dark Humor
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Acoustic, Melodic, Sparse
Style: Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Cosmic Americana
Vibe: Dreamy, Hippy, Longing, Bittersweet, Airy, Autumnal, Warm, Loose, Peaceful, Ethereal, Introspective, Psychedelic, Hypnotic, Mellow, Meandering, Stoned, Communal
Musical Qualities: Vocal Harmonies, Heavy Reverb, Jams
Style: Americana, Country, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Haunting, Storytelling, Bluesy, Rustic, Melancholy, Western
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore
Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello
Style: Gothic Americana, Chamber Punk, Singer/Songwriter, Slowcore
Vibe: Weary, Cathartic, Raw, Sad, Melancholy, Dirge, Determined, Restless
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Loose, Noisy, Lyrical
Style: Country-Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Raw, Heartfelt, Sentimental, Mourning, Drunk, Reflective
Musical Qualities: Loose, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Slowcore, Americana
Vibe: Apathetic, Bittersweet, Breakup, Contemplative, Depressive, Humorous, Intimate, Lethargic, Loner, Love, Melancholy, Mellow, Moody, Personal, Rootsy
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Sparse, Simple
Style: Country-Soul, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Vibe: Uplifting, Bittersweet, Introspective, Political, Rural, Mellow, Warm
Musical Qualities: Lush, Groovy, Melodic, Anthemic, Polished, Lyrical
Style: Psychedelic Jam Band
Vibe: Bluesy, Cosmic, Meandering, Pastoral, Rustic
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Riffs
Style: Progressive Country, Singer/Songwriter, Americana
Vibe: Nature, Autumnal, Morning, Rustic, Pastoral, Sunny, Uplifting, Warm
Musical Attributes: Lush, Melodic, Lyrical, Orchestral
Style: New Weird Americana??Vibe: Bluesy, Contemplative, Earthy, Morning, Pastoral, Rootsy, Rustic, Psychedelic, Warm??Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Electronics
Style: Country-Soul, Americana, Singer/Songwriter??
Vibe: Passionate, Rootsy, Rural, Spiritual, Triumphant, Uplifting, Warm, Contemplative, Introspective??Musical Attributes: Lush, Lyrical??Lyrical Themes: Existential, Christian
Style: New Weird America, Alt-Country, Psychedelic Americana, Chamber Folk
Vibe: Rustic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Chamber, Percussive, Studio-as-an-instrument, Rhythmic, Electro-Acoustic, Loops
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Vocals, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Fiddle, Mallet Percussion, Horns, Electronic Percussion, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Piano
Style: Gothic Country, Americana, Chamber Folk?Vibe: Rustic, Sombre, Murky, Rootsy, Ominous, Loner, Western, Melancholy, Moody, Dark?Musical Attributes: Acoustic Instrumentation (Banjo, Upright Bass, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Piano), Atmospheric, Droney, Slow, Lyrical?Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Religious, Christian, Storytelling
Style: Chamber Folk–Pop, Americana, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Warm, Lush, Deadpan, Uplifting, Soothing, Humorous, Soft
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Melodic, Polished
Originally released in 2003 on Merge Jealous Butcher Indie Exclusive Reissue (2019) Format: LP, Blue
Released in 2017 on Atlantic Records Format: LPx2
Released in 2005 on Drag City Format: LP
Released in 2003 on Drag City Recorded in 2000 Format: LP
Released in 2001 on Future Farmer Records Format: LPx2, 45rpm
Released in 2009 on Drag City Records Format: LP
“Human hearts and pain should never be separate, then they wouldn’t tear themselves apart both trying to fit”. The first album under the Magnolia Electric Co. name touches on the loneliness and depression of much of Jason Molina’s work, but it also contains a fair amount of the hope, light, and perseverance one needs in times of struggle. The musicians here were recorded live in a room by the great Steve Albini, featuring slide guitar, fiddle, and beautiful vocal harmonies from Molina’s band members. With its mix of melancholy Americana, country-tinged rock, and stripped back folk, What Comes After the Blues feels like a continuation of Neil Young’s great ditch trilogy.
No Other is a masterpiece of Cosmic Americana from Gene Clark (Ex-Byrds). Here his amazing songwriting is complemented by lush instrumentation, psychedelic production, and grandiose choir arrangements.
Released in 2018 on Yakketeeyak Music Review: Right out of the gate Little Boat sounds like an homage to the country-tinged … More
Released in 2013 on Drag City Records Format: LP Overview In an interview around the release of Dream River, Bill Callahan … More
Album Information: Released in 2002 on Nonesuch Records Produced by Wilco Mixed by Jim O’Rourke Recorded at the Loft, Chicago … More
“Sometimes it’s hard doing anything”. Somehow Jason Molina knows how to perfectly express what depression feels like without ever succumbing to hopelessness. His music has been a friend and a voice of encouragement when I need it most, reminding me to persist and not beat myself up when I feel unproductive or lazy or unmotivated. “The real truth about it is no one gets it right. The real truth about it is we’re all supposed to try”
