Trials & Errors
Encyclopedia
Trials & Errors is a live album released by the Magnolia Electric Co. on Secretly Canadian
in 2005, recorded on April 16, 2003 at Club Ancienne Belgique
in Brussels
.
It was the first Magnolia Electric Co. album released under that name, even though at the time of recording the band still toured under the Songs: Ohia moniker. The album received generally favorable reviews according to Metacritic
, with multiple reviewers noticing the homage
to Neil Young
and Crazy Horse
, but offering mixed opinions on its success: "[It is] hard to avoid thinking of Neil Young and Crazy Horse at the peak of their '70s powers" (Mojo
, Feb 2005). "Magnolia Electric Co. is no Crazy Horse, and Molina's vocabulary on the guitar doesn't yet have the presence to carry such extended interpretations of his material." (Pitchfork Media
, February 1, 2005). The album itself is made up of ten original songs, all but three of which were at the time unreleased, but contains three fragments of Neil Young songs, including the show-closing chorus of "Tonight's the Night" at the end of the song "The Big Beast". The fragments are technically uncredited, but the liner notes contain the information "Songs written by J.M. (Jason Molina) and there are ones that clearly have not[,] they're included here respectfully. Thank you."
Physical copies were limited to 10,000 per version (vinyl and CD), and the album is now only available via iTunes
.
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...
in 2005, recorded on April 16, 2003 at Club Ancienne Belgique
Ancienne Belgique
The Ancienne Belgique is a concert hall for contemporary music in Brussels, Belgium. Located in the historic heart of Brussels, it is one the leading concert venues in Belgium, hosting a wide variety of international and local acts.-The venue:...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
It was the first Magnolia Electric Co. album released under that name, even though at the time of recording the band still toured under the Songs: Ohia moniker. The album received generally favorable reviews according to 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 multiple reviewers noticing the homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
and Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
, but offering mixed opinions on its success: "[It is] hard to avoid thinking of Neil Young and Crazy Horse at the peak of their '70s powers" (Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
, Feb 2005). "Magnolia Electric Co. is no Crazy Horse, and Molina's vocabulary on the guitar doesn't yet have the presence to carry such extended interpretations of his material." (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...
, February 1, 2005). The album itself is made up of ten original songs, all but three of which were at the time unreleased, but contains three fragments of Neil Young songs, including the show-closing chorus of "Tonight's the Night" at the end of the song "The Big Beast". The fragments are technically uncredited, but the liner notes contain the information "Songs written by J.M. (Jason Molina) and there are ones that clearly have not[,] they're included here respectfully. Thank you."
Track listing
- "The Dark Don't Hide It" – 5:51
- "Don't This Look Like the Dark" – 5:50
- "Such Pretty Eyes for a Snake" – 8:49
- "Almost Was Good Enough" – 9:13
- "North Star" – 8:26
- "Ring the Bell" – 6:01
- "Cross the Road" – 6:38
- "Leave the City" – 6:21
- "The Last 3 Human Words" – 7:11
- "The Big Beast" – 7:58
Recording information
- Jason Groth – guitar
- Pete Schreiner – drums
- Mike Kapinus – bass, trumpet
- Jason Molina – guitar, singing
- Jochem Schouten – sound, driving
- Recorded by Stef van Alsenoy
Physical copies were limited to 10,000 per version (vinyl and CD), and the album is now only available via iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
.