Songs: Ohia - Didn't It Rain

Songs: Ohia plays fun-time pop rock jams that are as sweet as a jelly donut on a summer sidewalk.

Just kidding.

Actually, this album is very slow and sparse, with the most complex arrangements having some drums and electric guitar and some backing vocals. According to a press release, everything was recorded without overdubs and Jason would actually share the mics with the other singers while recording. These aren't full out jams here, but their skeletal beauty and empty nature makes it all the more desirable. I mean, listen to "Blue Factory Flame". Towards the end, you hear something and you think "OH MAN! IT'S GONNA BE A CRAZY HORSE GUITAR SOLO MAN!!! NEIL YOUNG THROUGH YR. SKULL!" but instead, it just fades away.

Might I also add that in all of its sparse-ness and whatnot, its is quite depressing. I mean, 4 of the 7 songs have the word "blue" in them (Steve Albini's Blues, Blue Factory Flame, Two Blue Lights, and Blue Chicago Moon). Steve Albini's Blues scares johnboy, or at least thats what he told me. He also likes the album after this one more. I don't have an opinion yet.

BUT let me tell you about "Blue Chicago Moon". Dear lord. This is a song that after I first listened to it, I had to listen to it 2 or 3 more times after I heard it. Luckily, its the last song, so I wasn't missing anything after. Jennie Benford (of Benford Tools from Home Improvement fame) lends a voice that isn't much more than "ooohhh"s, but god dang does it hit ya where it needs to. There's some piano too, but I can't describe it. Its just one of those things where it sends chills up your spine and makes the hair on your neck raise.

Listen to this album when it's cold, raining, and you are alone. Unless you suffer from depression, then make sure you're with someone else.

OVERALL RATING - not the best book Neil Peart ever wrote, but better than that one Stewart Copland did.
KEY TRACKS - Didn't it rain, blue chicago moon, steve albini's blues