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- Artist: Magnolia Electric Co.
- Rating:
- Release Date: September 12, 2006
- Genre: Rock
Review
On Magnolia Electric Co's third album, the group takes things down a notch, not in quality but in distortion and intensity. The result is Fading Trails, a more intimate and thoughtful album that could serve as the soundtrack to the more bittersweet moments of a Western film. This could be in part because much of the guitar work and, on occasion, Jason Molina's vocals are incredibly reminiscent of Neil Young, who was the solo soundtrack to film noir Western Dead Man ("Don't Fade on Me" being the best example). The song sees a heavy drum beat take the forefront at times, and occasionally the ringing of a pedal steel, both of which give way to an onslaught of Young-esque solos. "Montgomery" is similar, though Molina's distressed vocals are at their most weary. Fading Trails is beauty in sadness, the melancholy tone of the music couldn't change even if Molina were singing about rainbows and puppies. The majority of songs incorporate multiple instruments to one extent or another, but a few tunes are bleak solos made up of Molina's detached vocals and either a piano or an acoustic guitar. Fading Trails is a much more quiet and reserved album than either Trials & Errorsor What Comes After the Blues and at times lacks the intrigue of the two previous releases, but it's definitely not an album to overlook. What the cathartic Fading Trails might lack in foot-tapping motivation, it makes up for in passion and honesty and is highly recommended for those who like to dig a little deeper for albums that get better each time they are played. ~ Megan Frye, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Dont' Fade on Me | Magnolia Electric Co. | (4:17) | |
| Montgomery | Magnolia Electric Co. | (1:48) | |
| Lonesome Valley | Magnolia Electric Co. | (3:36) | |
| A Little at a Time | Magnolia Electric Co. | (3:05) | |
| The Old Horizon | Magnolia Electric Co. | (3:13) | |
| Memphis Moon | Magnolia Electric Co. | (3:16) | |
| Talk to Me Devil, Again | Magnolia Electric Co. | (3:28) | |
| Spanish Moon Fall and Rise | Magnolia Electric Co. | (2:44) | |
| Steady Now | Magnolia Electric Co. | (2:53) |
