IMPALA

Impala, the fabled second Songs: Ohia full-length, originally released in 1998 and long out-of-print, will enjoy a vinyl reissue by Secretly Canadian this August. This release includes the addition of a remastered demo of Tess, originally captured during recording sessions for Impala.

“Lorain, Ohio; it's a tough place to grow up. You either escape or you don't. Given the industry that exists (or existed) there — the steel mill, Ford plant, and shipyard — the mix of people is like none other. One thing is for sure though, it's blue collar through and through.

What's this have to do with a new release from Songs: Ohia? Well, Jason — main Songs man, like myself, grew up in this god-forsaken hole of a city and as much as you can leave the city, it never leaves you.

Impala offers further testament to the songwriting talents of Jason Molina. The tracks contained herein offer a glimpse into the soul of a man burdened with trying to exorcise the demons of life, loss, and subsistence. This isn't something one can fake. It comes from growing up with the knowledge that the factories your parents worked in are not an option for you and that your only real option is to try and get out (easier said than done).

Pared down to only Jason and Geof Comings for this release, the tracks on Impala are simultaneously the sparsest and most textured yet to be released by the band. Consider this to be the one of the most honest and strongest releases from Songs: Ohia.

Our suggestion: Head to the local Knights of Columbus, grab a seat at the bar, order a Genesee, and drink away your paycheck to this one. That's what they're doing in Lorain.