Molina and Johnson
Encyclopedia
Molina and Johnson is a collaborative album recorded by American songwriters Jason Molina and Will Johnson
. It was released on 2 November 2009 by Secretly Canadian
. It received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic
, with an aggregate score of 75 as of 25 November 2009. According to the Austin Chronicle
reviewer, "this debut collaboration is a testament to just how deeply these two songwriters sympathize with each other's work, revealing a shared penchant for evocatively detailed images that blossom into visceral narratives." The Pitchfork Media
reviewer was less sanguine: "The 14 tracks on Molina and Johnson comprise an especially slow drive through somber countryside, windows up and speed limit carefully maintained.". The cover art for the album was taken from a photograph by Jack Delano
for the Office of War Information: Indiana Harbor Belt RR
, switchman demonstrating signal with a "fusee
" - used at twilight and dawn - when visibility is poor. This signal means "stop." Calumet City, Ill
. from 1943.
"All Gone, All Gone" features back-up vocals by Sarah Jaffe
.
Will Johnson (musician)
Will Johnson is the leader of Texas indie rock band Centro-matic. He also fronts South San Gabriel and releases albums and tours as a solo artist. He was also a founding member of the Undertow Orchestra and Baboon and joined Monsters of Folk in 2010....
. It was released on 2 November 2009 by Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian
Secretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
. It received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, with an aggregate score of 75 as of 25 November 2009. According to the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
reviewer, "this debut collaboration is a testament to just how deeply these two songwriters sympathize with each other's work, revealing a shared penchant for evocatively detailed images that blossom into visceral narratives." The Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
reviewer was less sanguine: "The 14 tracks on Molina and Johnson comprise an especially slow drive through somber countryside, windows up and speed limit carefully maintained.". The cover art for the album was taken from a photograph by Jack Delano
Jack Delano
Jack Delano was an American photographer for the Farm Security Administration and a composer noted for his use of Puerto Rican folk material.- Biography :...
for the Office of War Information: Indiana Harbor Belt RR
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad is a Class III railroad in the United States. The line comprises of track—30 miles of single mainline track, of double-main track and of additional yard and side track—starting northwest of Chicago in Franklin Park, Illinois, traveling southeast...
, switchman demonstrating signal with a "fusee
Flare (pyrotechnic)
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications...
" - used at twilight and dawn - when visibility is poor. This signal means "stop." Calumet City, Ill
Calumet City, Illinois
Calumet City is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 39,072 at the 2000 census. The ZIP code is 60409.Calumet City was founded in 1892 when the villages of Schrumville and Sobieski Park merged under the name of West Hammond, since it lies on the west side of the...
. from 1943.
"All Gone, All Gone" features back-up vocals by Sarah Jaffe
Sarah Jaffe
Sarah Jaffe is a singer-songwriter from Denton, Texas.Jaffe self-released her first EP titled Even Born Again, which was recognized by Rolling Stone and the Dallas Observer. In late 2009, she was signed to Kirtland Records and released her first full-length album, Suburban Nature, in May 2010...
.
Track listing
- Twenty Cycles to the Ground
- All Falls Together
- All Gone, All Gone
- Almost Let You In
- In the Avalon/Little Killer
- Don't Take My Night From Me
- Each Star Marks a Day
- Lenore's Lullaby
- The Lily and the Brakeman
- Now, Divide
- What You Reckon, What You Breathe
- For as Long as It Will Matter
- 34 Blues
- Wooden Heart