Trials & Errors was recorded at a live show one night in Brussels in 2003, shortly after
Jason Molina had put
Songs: Ohia to rest. Drawing upon the talents of Pete Schreiner (drums), Mike Kapinus (bass and trumpet), and Jason Groth (guitar),
Molina (providing second guitar and vocals) pieced together
Magnolia Electric Co to further explore his country-rock side. With this rhythm section,
Magnolia Electric Co is the perfect extension for
Molina to grow and expand his country-rock -- the basslines flow melodically against the plucking and strumming of the guitars, while the drums lay down a backbone. One can hear the influence of
Neil Young all over
Trials & Errors with its loose, raw guitars and dark, melancholic vibe of vocals and lyrics all placed in a live setting. There are many rewarding moments throughout
Trials & Errors, mainly as a result of the addition of the powerful rhythm section -- the opener, "The Dark Don't Hide It," blasts open the record, while the
Songs: Ohia tune, "Almost Was Good Enough," has more punch and depth than the original. The hat must be tipped to
Magnolia Electric Co, as they let the songs breathe and become bigger than the band to a haunting effect.
Molina seems to have grown as a singer as well, which is evident on the
Songs: Ohia tracks "Ring the Bell" and "Cross the Road." In the live setting and with a strong band backing him,
Molina's vocals are stronger and mix the stylings of
Will Oldham and
Damien Jurado, displaying a sense of longing and despair. The only shortfall that could be noted is that
Trials & Errors is a touch long, clocking in at 72 minutes, but fans of
Molina, along with the audience, who you can tell had a wonderful time at this show, will feel that this is a bonus. Thankfully, Secretly Canadian knows that
Trials & Errors, with its old
Songs: Ohia covers, upcoming release tunes, and tracks that are unique to this disc, is a good way to hold fans' appetite for
Magnolia Electric Co's studio debut in spring of 2005. ~ David Serra