Pyramid Electric

Supposedly, Jason Molina lived in the studio around the clock while writing and recording Pyramid Electric Co., his first album credited to his birth name. Whether or not that's a good idea is beside the point; Molina's prolific back catalog makes it's hard to question such a proficient songwriter's work ethic. As exorbitant as this all may seem, it does allow a lot to be imagined. All night recording sessions? Spastic snoring rhythm tracks? Guitar bags used in solo pillow fights? Bouncy ball collections used as insulation? 

Well, Molina isn't exactly Lee Perry. His bunker approach, however, is likely to raise it's share of brow. "These are the things legends are made of," or at least, when they work out, they are. Antics aside, you have to wonder just how much inspiration one can conjure while living in an isolated studio?

It's safe to say that Jason Molina typically sounds calm and introspective. On his Ghost Tropic album (recorded under his Songs:Ohia moniker), he seemed to be accompanied solely by only his own (multi-instrumentalist) ghosts. On last year's Magnolia Electric Co., Molina was as lively as ever, to the point of earning Bob Seger comparisons. While that alone may or may not drive someone into isolation, it did seem to leave Molina with the desire to get back to the quiet times. On his new Pyramid album, we see Jason alone, with only his piano, guitars, echoes and haunting voice.

First off, make sure you have a record player. Next, tell everyone to shut up. You're almost ready. Take a depressant of some sort. Pyramid only comes on vinyl. It's quiet like Eno and as downplayed as Johnny Depp tries to seem. These aren't bad things, not as long as you're ready. Produced by Mike Mogis, Pyramid does manage a hidden level of depth accomplished through fragile guitar playing, deep vocals and some good old fashion studio tweaking. If you want to hear all of that, you'll also need some headphones. That's all bonus though.

Pyramid Electric Co. isn't a bad album. It's honestly not even a boring listen. It is, however, a challenging album full of top-notch lyrics, sweet moments, little variation and, at times, nary a sound to be heard. There is plenty to grab on to if you're determined enough. If you're looking for obscure songs to cover at your local coffee shop, this is a gem. If you're looking to rock out and party, well, you may actually be better off with Metal Machine Music. No, actually, you're never better off with MMM.

That's about enough pussyfooting.Pyramid is a very simple album musically, almost always using a single instrument and at times using nothing more than Molina's own vocals. That brings me to the voice, and what a voice it is. The focal point of Pyramid is Molina's masterful songwriting and fragile vocals. Carrying an album as uneventful as this needs a angle. This time, for Molina, it his voice. Recorded as if it's 1950-something, Pyramid earns it's place in Molina's catalog as his signature vocal show-off album. I never thought I'd say this, but I hope Bob Seger's truck commercials (or whatever) re-enter Jason's subconscious for his next album.    5.5/10

Written by G. William Locke