Ghost Tropic

Reticence underpins the work of Jason Molina, singer, songwriter and leader of Songs: Ohia. Every track on Ghost Tropic is characterised by a tender unwillingness to finally, definitively bind even the sparsest of melodies or lyrics to this, his slow-burning vision.

Space and silence are Molina’s keynotes. On ‘No Limits On The Words’ he sings over and over, “I will say nothing”. On ‘The Body Burned Away’ he proclaims himself “an empty page”. It is as if, having found the spotlight, Molina has discovered how little he has to declare.

As a result, minor chord progressions sashay across open spaces, the tinkling of a piano sounds boldly through the quiet. The singer’s plaintive vocals occasionally mumble and sometimes soar, all the time seeming to strive towards some final, lasting revelation.

Given their brand of material it’s almost inevitable that Songs: Ohia walk a fine line between poignant minimalism and turgid vacuity. Both versions of the title track dip into the instrumentally mundane: all twittering birdies and sonorous rhythms. The band redeem themselves, though, with the slow-paced elegance of ‘Not Just a Ghost’s Heart’ and ‘Lightning Risked it All’.

Ghost Tropic is a brave if flawed effort. File under esoteric listening.