It was recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago and released by Secretly Canadian on March 4, 2003.

On the other hand, the album was recorded with different musicians than the later members of Magnolia Electric Co., and the decision to take on the new name was not announced until the tour following the release in the spring of 2003.

Molina later declared Didn't It Rain to be the final Songs: Ohia album.

[14] Magnolia digs into alt-country and "red-blood, full-throated" country rock, as well as seeing the band draw from both “orthodox” Americana and “otherworldly atmosphere”.

[10][15] It also works in roots rock, while the arrangements and songwriting echo 70s outlaw country.