Josephine Secretly Canadian ***

Now that Jason Molina has officially retired his Songs: Ohio pseudonym, all of his music-making obligations rest with Magnolia Electric Co, the temporary band he formed to embellish his solo material in 2003. Three albums later, the quintet have hit their stride beautifully. There's an added poignancy to Josephine: former bassist Evan Farrell died tragically before it was recorded, and songs such as the mournful Shenandoahand Map of the Falling Skybear the weight of Molina's loss. As always, his tenuous voice is well-suited to these meandering folk ballads, whether they're weary guitar paeans ( O! Grace) or desert- dusted organ tunes ( Little Sad Eyes). Comparisons with Neil Young on electric-led numbers such as The Handing Downare perhaps obvious, but not meaningless. A slow-moving but rewarding album. www.magnoliaelectricco.com

Download tracks:O! Grace, The Rock of Ages, Little Sad Eyes