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Josephine
by
Josephine Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

  • Summary: The latest album from the Magnolia Electric Co. is a tribute concept album for their deceased bassist, Evan Farrell.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    The sympathetic accompaniment of his expansive band--which abandons its on-stage Crazy Horse roar to operate in a spare, desolate gray area between funeral-paced country and bloodshot soul on the quietly breathtaking Josephine--does nothing to make Molina seem any less alone.
  2. Prefix Magazine
    85
    It's at times fragile, at times bolstering, at times bittersweet, at times even triumphant, but it's timeless all the same.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Molina here opts for a more expansive spproach with reedy harmonies, horns, soulful guitars and gospel piano. [Aug 2009, p.100]
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  4. Drowned In Sound
    80
    There’s a nocturnal ambience in places, a mythic sensibility throughout, but plenty of light in the dark.
  5. Billboard
    70
    Backed by a fine team of multi-instrumentalists, Molina delivers a harrowing set of songs with short running times and minimalist arrangements.
  6. No Ripcord
    60
    It’s the most countrified record he’s released and, as such, lacks some of the more distinctive and heart-breaking qualities shared by his best work.
  7. Pitchfork
    56
    There are real, new stylistic portents here. But Josephine mostly suggests new directions rather than moving in them, and the traceless ache of its muddy middle-third ('Hope Dies Last,' 'The Handing Down,' 'Map of the Falling Sky') is burdensome.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JackC.
    Jul 22, 2009
    10
    A truly great record. Absolutely timeless. Tracks that initially seem to plod (Knoxville Girl, Map of the Falling Stars) reveal themselves to A truly great record. Absolutely timeless. Tracks that initially seem to plod (Knoxville Girl, Map of the Falling Stars) reveal themselves to be brilliant with subsequent listens, while other tracks are are easy to fall in love with from first listen (O Grace, Josephine, Shenandoah). This is a true album where every song matters. And every song is worth your time. Seriously, this is an amazing record.… Expand
  2. LouisW.
    Jul 23, 2009
    7
    There are some great tracks on here, but it's more sparsely populated with these than the last few Magnolia records. Fading Trails is There are some great tracks on here, but it's more sparsely populated with these than the last few Magnolia records. Fading Trails is their best and this unfortunately doesn't match up to it. Still a good record though, just not a 10/10.… Expand