Roll the moon over my heart
Roll my heart out with the tide
Musician Jason Molina, who died this past weekend of organ failure due to extreme alcoholism, was truly blue. Praised for his croon and his deeply affecting lyrics, Molina sang his blues and sang them well, perfecting the art of sadness.
Magnolia Electric Co. and Songs: Ohia were among the aliases under which he recorded. Both the magnolia and the ohia are plant species producing among the most brilliant display of flowers, a true testament to the aching beauty of Molina’s music. He sang songs of both attempted hope: While you were waiting for me not to call / I sent my love / I sent my love and utter gloom: I have to work hard to suffer alone / I have to work hard to be so alone.
Molina never achieved the status of say, someone like Elliott Smith. I compare them not because they are both no longer with us, but because they were both obviously battling some genuine demons, seeking solace somewhere between this world and the next. I don’t believe either Smith or Molina was out for fame of any kind, but rather, it was urgent they create music for their own self-preservation. And it just so happened they were good at it.