Released in March of 2003, Songs: Ohia's The Magnolia Electric Co. is the hallmark of Jason Molina's career - both a confluence of all he would create and a line in the sand to mark a shift in his songwriting approach.
This was the last Songs: Ohia LP, as the band morphed from Bloomington-based touring members into an official lineup named Magnolia Electric Co. On the name change, Jason Groth (who does not appear on the Magnolia Electric Co.), said: 'I remember Jason saying that he was hanging out in the South, maybe New Orleans but definitely across the South of the U.S., and it occurred to him that he kept noticing magnolia trees, more than he ever had, and about how resilient and tough yet beautiful the trees were. And how they were everywhere but still managed to blend in somehow. And how precious the flowers were, despite the toughness of the leaves. And that he named the record after those feelings. Maybe that's why he kept the name for the band - we were resilient and, hopefully, showed some real beauty - maybe that was hard to see through the toughness or the sadness- but it was there. I always thought it was, anyway.'
This original pressing also comes with a poster and a bonus cd.
Tracklisting:

LP1

1. Farewell Transmission 2. I’ve Been Riding With The Ghost 3. Just Be Simple 4. Almost Was Good Enough 5. The Old Black Hen 6. Peoria Lunch Box Blues 7. John Henry Split My Heart 8. Hold On Magnolia
Bonus Cd: 1. The Long dark blues 2. Just be simple 3. the old black hen 4. I made the change 5. Peoria Lunchbox Blues 6. Whip-Poor-Will 7. The Big Game is Every Night 8. Hold on Magnolia 9. You can't Save everything "Recordings made at home in Chicago, farewell transmissions from 1319 West Lake Street and Apt. 605."