The sombre grandeur of the pedal steel accompanied by a slow strum of guitar, whining through a melody on the cusp of some tragedy, speaks volumes to the songs ahead. As the grungy stoner vocals of MJ Lenderman begin to spill out on Just Be Simple, the lyrical tone of I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina coalesces the path forward:
“You’ll never hear me talk about one day getting out / why put a new address on the same old loneliness?”
Time and again, the late Jason Molina’s brilliance of humble introspection astounds. For so much of this album, the 12 artists tasked with honouring Molina understand how powerful his words are. Backdropped by the twangy sonic embrace evident throughout the Ohio-born artist’s catalogue, moments continuously hone in toward the song writing craft.
Perhaps one of the most effective elements across this album utilizes repetition to create a sense of hypnotic connection.
Boston’s Horse Jumper of Love begins their track ‘Blue Factory Flame’ with the up tempo distorted jamming reminiscent of a Neil Young groove. But as soon as the vocals begin, the tempo drops to a crawling pace, accentuating the dire lyrical descent to come. “Paralyzed by the emptiness” is sung repeatedly and in increasing distress to conclude the song.
On Trace Mountain’s rendition of ‘The Dark Don’t Hide It’, again the distress of repetitive cries empowers the surreal lament of simple words with such towering presence. Juxtaposed by bouncing piano keys, the song further develops a serene weariness.
Lastly, alongside the almost piercing lament of pedal steel, Teen Suicide’s cover of ‘Whip Poor Will’ strikes home with the aching howls of harmony “sing it, brother, one more time / sing it, brother, one more time / sing it, sister, one more time / sing it, sister, one more time.”
Amid the thrum of country influences, a few songs navigate away, heightening the depth of how versatile Molina’s songwriting is.
On ‘When Your Love Has Gone’ by Los Angeles-based Runnner begins, there is a cosmic aura propelled by hazy synth. The trembling vocal performance pitches and shakes toward drum accompaniment that aches to go somewhere toward resolution but ultimately dies back with frenetic retreat.
‘Leave The City’ by Austin band Sun June is as tragic as it is slow-paced. With its delicate flints of harmonies and piercing piano accompaniment, the song rolls on in romantic anguish.
Quaking with the harsh vocals of Advance Base’s ‘Everything Should Try Again’, there are moments that feel like a sermon fervently sung by a desperate preacher. With the echoed distress of faded musical accompaniment, the words pound deeper and deeper.
However the interpretation is approached, the songs on this album reflect a deep connection the late songwriter has with a new generation of artists. As noted in a press statement by Run For Cover Records, which released the tribute album on Sep. 5, Molina’s unique, albeit tragic, perspective and drive cultivated an endearing legacy.
“Jason Molina was an artist who didn’t like to look back,” The Run For Cover Records’ description reads. “Throughout the singer-songwriter’s life and career, a restless and evolving creative pulse propelled him forward, training his focus on what was next. His unyielding creativity and work ethic bore sacred fruit. In his short life, Molina achieved what most musicians strive for: a sound that is instantly recognizable but rarely repeats itself.”
Molina, who released a vast catalogue under his own name, Songs: Ohio, and Magnolia Electric Co., died at 39 of organ failure after years of extreme alcoholism, according to an obituary piece published by Pitchfork. He died in his Indianapolis home on March 16, 2013, the piece adds.
Ten percent of profits of each copy of I Will Swim to You: A Tribute to Jason Molina record will be donated to MusiCares Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Fund, according to Run For Cover Records’ description.
MusiCares provides a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas: mental health & addiction recovery services; health services like providing financial assistance during medical crises; and human services that support basic living expenses like rent, utilities, and car payments.
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Review by Joshua Gutierrez
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