Molina was born in Lorain, Ohio and attended Oberlin College. After playing bass guitar in various heavy metal bands in and around Cleveland, Ohio, Molina made the decision to become a solo artist, recruiting other musicians as needed. He made several home recordings under various names, including Songs: Albian, Songs: Radix, and Songs: Unitas, which he distributed himself at live performances. Molina's first release under the Songs: Ohia moniker came in 1996 as a single on Palace Records, Nor Cease Thou Never Now. This was followed by the 1997 full-length album Songs: Ohia (known among fans as the Black Album), released on the Bloomington, Indiana-based label Secretly Canadian, the label on which Molina has remained since. Though the band is still virtually unknown in the mainstream, 2002's Didn't It Rain garnered widespread critical acclaim with the indie community throughout the United States, and is arguably the group's most popular album. He also released Axxess and Ace and The Ghost both in 1999. 2000 saw the release of the "passionate" album The Lioness and the very sparse Ghost Tropic.
The release of Magnolia Electric Co. in 2003 marked a shift in direction for Songs: Ohia. Several major differences set this album apart from previous Songs: Ohia releases. Firstly, the album, recorded with renowned producer/engineer Steve Albini, is the most upbeat and straightforward rock album in the Songs: Ohia catalogue. Every song was recorded live in the studio with a full band. The album's sound draws heavily from the Southern rock and folk-rock of the 1960s and 70s, as well as, to some degree, Molina's heavy metal roots (British metal pioneers Black Sabbath are often cited as one of Jason Molina's biggest influences). For the first time, Magnolia Electric Co. sees Molina relinquishing vocal duties on two of the eight tracks; Lawrence Peters lends his voice to "The Old Black Hen", while fellow Secretly Canadian artist Scout Niblett takes over on "Peoria Lunch Box Blues" (both songs were written by Molina).
From 2003 on Molina buried the moniker Songs: Ohia, to go on under the name Magnolia Electric Co. which he used he for his full band records up until his death. Jason Molina died March 16th 2013 of natural causes at age 39.
http://www.last.fm/music/Magnolia+Electric+Co./+wiki
No Limit on the Words
Songs: Ohia Lyrics
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simply to live, that is my plan (x2)
in a city that breaks us
I will say nothing (x4)
I can tell that the shadow likes you still
like the memory, my heart keeps remembering
that simply to live that was my plan (x2)
and I will say nothing (x4)
The lyrics to "No Limit on the Words" by Songs: Ohia speak to the power of silence in the face of adversity. The singer is living in a city that is difficult and challenging, and they recognize that words can be a limitation. Instead, they choose to simply live and perhaps let their actions speak for themselves. The repetition of the phrase "simply to live, that is my plan" underscores this idea of living for oneself without the constraints of societal expectations or pressures. The second verse introduces the idea of memory and the persistence of emotions even after the people or things that inspired them are gone. The lines "I can tell that the shadow likes you still/ like the memory, my heart keeps remembering" evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia.
The chorus, "in a city that breaks us/ I will say nothing," reinforces the idea of the power of silence. The singer recognizes that the city is a difficult place to live, but they refuse to let it break them. Instead, they will remain silent - perhaps out of self-preservation or perhaps out of a desire to not let the city have any more of an effect on them than it already has.
Line by Line Meaning
put no limits on the words
I believe in expressing myself freely and openly without any restrictions on what I say.
simply to live, that is my plan (x2)
My sole ambition in life is to live and experience it fully without any specific goals to achieve.
in a city that breaks us
Living in a city that constantly wears us down and takes a toll on our spirit.
I will say nothing (x4)
Despite my desire to express myself, I choose to remain silent as an act of defiance against the oppressive forces around me.
I can tell that the shadow likes you still
I sense that even in the darkness and obscurity of life, there's still something that supports and cares for you.
like the memory, my heart keeps remembering
Just like how our memories remain engraved in our hearts, we hold onto certain feelings and experiences that shape who we are.
that simply to live that was my plan (x2)
Once more, I affirm my belief that my only objective in life is to exist and experience it without any constraints or demands.
and I will say nothing (x4)
My silence is a sign of my rebellion and defiance against those who seek to suppress and control us.
Contributed by Samuel L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.