Yeah i know that it isn’t even quite December, but i’ve already got an early favorite for my favorite album of 2005. Magnolia Electric Co.’s “Trials and Errors”. Sadly it’s a live record, which doesn’t exactly count, BUT the songs are almost all totally unreleased. The album also has tags of 2 Neil Young songs, Out On The Weekend and Tonight’s The Night.

I never quite got into Songs: Ohia too much to be honest, i liked a few songs from the albums i’ve heard, but this live record is very very different, and i can’t wait to see them live in a week or so. If i had to make comparisons, i’d say this live record reminds me of Built To Spill meets Drive-By Truckers musically. As well as the obvious Neil Young & Crazy Horse influences. Jason’s voice sounds a lot different than it does on most Songs stuff too. His voice reminds me of Jeff Lang a bit, but not sure many people outside of Australia know who he is.

Here’s an mp3 of the leadoff (and one of my favorites) track on the album, The Dark Don’t Hide It.

Secretly Canadian has the album for sale already. Read the writeup on that page as well, kind of cool imo. Or you can go see them at one of these upcoming shows, and likely pick up the album as well.

12/07 Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
12/08 Madison, WI – Catacombs Coffeehouse
12/09 Duluth, MN – Twin Ports MAC w/ Alan Sparhawk
12/10 Moorhead, MN – Ralph’s Corner Bar w/ June Panic
12/11 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry w/ Valet
12/12 Des Moines, IA – Vaudeville Mews w/ My Way My Love
12/13 Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s Oasis