We are young supernovas and the heat's about to break
February 28, 2011 3:06 PM Subscribe
I'm going to give this a listen to, but since this is metafilter I feel okay in sharing the fact that I've had so much trouble with the Mountain Goats for the past few years. They were just about all I listened to from 2005-2007. Life changing concerts and stuff. But something shifted, changed for me with Heretic Pride. I don't think it was just the studio sheen. My guess is that it has something to do with Darnielle growing up, getting happier with Lalitree but still writing adolescent break-up songs. I mean: "We are young supernovas and the heat's about to break." But you're older now, dude. And sometimes I'd like to hear about that, I guess, with your trade mark accuracy and honesty. I find myself turning to artists like Badly Drawn Boy, instead, whose lyrical sensibility has grown with him.
That being said, I love his Mario song and will give this a fair shot.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:17 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
That being said, I love his Mario song and will give this a fair shot.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:17 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
Ah hell yes. I saw the solo show last week in Seattle. Story time!
John was stumbling a bit on what to play next from his setlist (which was apparently not very detailed) and people started yelling out requests. COLOR IN YOUR CHEEKS! NO CHILDREN! DANCE MUSIC! THIS YEAR! "Okay, the first guy said Color in Your Cheeks and everyone else yelled out barn burners, and it's not the end of the show yet, so here's Color in Your Cheeks"
(plays the song)
"Here's why I'm kind of a dick about people yelling No Children at shows... we know you want to hear that song. When you bought the ticket, that was an implicit endorsement for us playing No Children. It's done quite well for us. Don't worry, you'll get to hear it. So, uh, this is No Children"
(plays No Children)
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:20 PM on February 28, 2011 [12 favorites]
John was stumbling a bit on what to play next from his setlist (which was apparently not very detailed) and people started yelling out requests. COLOR IN YOUR CHEEKS! NO CHILDREN! DANCE MUSIC! THIS YEAR! "Okay, the first guy said Color in Your Cheeks and everyone else yelled out barn burners, and it's not the end of the show yet, so here's Color in Your Cheeks"
(plays the song)
"Here's why I'm kind of a dick about people yelling No Children at shows... we know you want to hear that song. When you bought the ticket, that was an implicit endorsement for us playing No Children. It's done quite well for us. Don't worry, you'll get to hear it. So, uh, this is No Children"
(plays No Children)
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:20 PM on February 28, 2011 [12 favorites]
I feel like any comment I leave in the next 42 minutes and 15 seconds will be ill informed.
posted by Felex at 3:21 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by Felex at 3:21 PM on February 28, 2011
Countdown to "omg no children is totes my favorite song evar!!!111" I know you Metafilter. I KNOW you!
posted by ND¢ at 3:21 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by ND¢ at 3:21 PM on February 28, 2011
My guess is that it has something to do with Darnielle growing up, getting happier with Lalitree but still writing adolescent break-up songs. I mean: "We are young supernovas and the heat's about to break." But you're older now, dude.
What I love about the Mountain Goats is that they write all kinds of songs. Or, even if they write one kind of song, they approach it in strange ways. Life of the World To Come has a Biblical song with a chorus borrowed from Odin Sphere.
but yeah some if it does sound a bit formulaic. still, they're one of the most amazing live bands i've ever seen. the pure JOY on John Darnielle's face and in his voice is something to behold. they're so warm and genuine
Estate Sale Sign is going to be a live staple, i can feel it
it's been linked here before, but John's blog is amazing. alot of it is poems about extreme metal, which i don't listen to but he makes sound good
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2011
What I love about the Mountain Goats is that they write all kinds of songs. Or, even if they write one kind of song, they approach it in strange ways. Life of the World To Come has a Biblical song with a chorus borrowed from Odin Sphere.
but yeah some if it does sound a bit formulaic. still, they're one of the most amazing live bands i've ever seen. the pure JOY on John Darnielle's face and in his voice is something to behold. they're so warm and genuine
Estate Sale Sign is going to be a live staple, i can feel it
it's been linked here before, but John's blog is amazing. alot of it is poems about extreme metal, which i don't listen to but he makes sound good
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2011
Erk. I meant Get Lonely, not Heretic Pride. I am so old and behind the times.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:22 PM on February 28, 2011
0xFCAF, when i saw him last somebody yelled out 'Hast Thou Considered The Tetrapod' and it was pronounced so perfectly that John had to play it
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:23 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:23 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
If I had known that worked I would have been more persistent with Palmcorder Yajna
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:24 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by 0xFCAF at 3:24 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I tried to get him to play "Onions" once at a show where I was lucky enough to stand right up front. He just kinda laughed.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:24 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:24 PM on February 28, 2011
Why thengyou. This is so much more pleasant than the usual drill: seeing a post/comment by Lovecraft in Brooklyn and then humming the song until I drive myself nuts.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:25 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:25 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I thought Heretic Pride was sort of uneven, and Life of the World to Come frankly kind of boring, but I still preordered this thing pretty much the second it was announced last week, sight unseen and sound unheard. Partly because it came with a tape (!) but mostly because John still does it like nobody else.
posted by theodolite at 3:37 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by theodolite at 3:37 PM on February 28, 2011
It's interesting to get everybody's take on the last few albums, because everyone seems to have a different reaction to them. For myself, the Goats have been on and off since Sunset Tree. I loved that one and Heretic Pride but was underwhelmed by Get Lonely and Life of the World to Come. I guess if this holds true, I should love the new one.
posted by Rangeboy at 3:39 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Rangeboy at 3:39 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Oooh. Thanks. Forgot that I also wanted to check NPR's First Listen to see if the new Lucinda was up there. It is. Lucinda and Mountain Goats playlist! Yay!
posted by eyeballkid at 3:41 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by eyeballkid at 3:41 PM on February 28, 2011
Whoa got a little bit of a barbershop vibe on High Hawk Season.
posted by ND¢ at 3:41 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by ND¢ at 3:41 PM on February 28, 2011
Not super familiar with this band, but I'm digging this record. Thanks!
posted by Lutoslawski at 3:42 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by Lutoslawski at 3:42 PM on February 28, 2011
Yeah, I'm just a bit past that, ND¢. Might be the point that this album won me over. Was really meh before Beautiful Gas Mask but have been super digging every song since.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:43 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:43 PM on February 28, 2011
Not super familiar with this band, but I'm digging this record. Thanks!
Sweet! Now all us hardcore Mountain Goats fans (Goatheads?) get to argue about which album is the proper entry point for the novice (Tallahassee).
posted by Rangeboy at 3:45 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sweet! Now all us hardcore Mountain Goats fans (Goatheads?) get to argue about which album is the proper entry point for the novice (Tallahassee).
posted by Rangeboy at 3:45 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm with you, PhoBWanKenobi, though I'd say the shift was noticeable as early as The Sunset Tree. The music Darnielle created between 1994-2004 is still just incomprehensibly good. During that period he was cranking out songs by the dozen, and while they weren't all magic, there are more gems in those albums than any single human should be capable of producing. Those albums have stitched themselves into my life and consciousness and I consider them something like religious artifacts.
I struggled to like Get Lonely and I couldn't even listen to Heretic Pride. I doubt I'll listen to this one either. It's just too depressing to me to consider what's been lost.
If I could beg him to go back to his old style without coming off as one of those you-used-to-be-cool-I-used-to-like-you assholes, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
posted by dephlogisticated at 3:48 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I struggled to like Get Lonely and I couldn't even listen to Heretic Pride. I doubt I'll listen to this one either. It's just too depressing to me to consider what's been lost.
If I could beg him to go back to his old style without coming off as one of those you-used-to-be-cool-I-used-to-like-you assholes, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
posted by dephlogisticated at 3:48 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I hope I'm not the only one who was sad not to see album artwork featuring Kirby creations on skateboards.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:49 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:49 PM on February 28, 2011
The entry point for me was the Atom and His Package covers on Redesigning Music, so I kinda think however you get into them was good!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:49 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:49 PM on February 28, 2011
I'm psyched for this, but I can't believe the lack of love for Get Lonely. Have you people never been in love?
And as for my concert request anecdote, when I saw Darnielle solo, Vanderslice opened for him but I was too much of a wuss to request "Bill Gates Must Die." It was still an amazing show.
posted by kyleg at 3:51 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
And as for my concert request anecdote, when I saw Darnielle solo, Vanderslice opened for him but I was too much of a wuss to request "Bill Gates Must Die." It was still an amazing show.
posted by kyleg at 3:51 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
I hear you, dephlogisticated. We Shall All Be Healed was the last one that consistently killed me. But The Sunset Tree was still very emotionally honest. Broom People might be my favorite song by him ever.
I am posting a lot on this thread. Hm.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:53 PM on February 28, 2011
I am posting a lot on this thread. Hm.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:53 PM on February 28, 2011
We Shall All Be Healed was the last one that consistently killed me. But The Sunset Tree was still very emotionally honest. Broom People might be my favorite song by him ever.
What about "This Year?" Doesn't anybody else use this as their personal theme song for overcoming adversity? Or is that just me?
posted by Rangeboy at 3:57 PM on February 28, 2011 [11 favorites]
What about "This Year?" Doesn't anybody else use this as their personal theme song for overcoming adversity? Or is that just me?
posted by Rangeboy at 3:57 PM on February 28, 2011 [11 favorites]
I like "This Year" a lot, too. Don't get me wrong--I don't mind TST. But I just adore almost every song on WSABH and the couple of albums before that.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:00 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:00 PM on February 28, 2011
What about "This Year?" Doesn't anybody else use this as their personal theme song for overcoming adversity? Or is that just me?
I do, too. My adversity hardly ever feels bad enough to do the song justice but yeah when things go bad it's the first song I reach for.
there's a nice reference to it on a Hold Steady B-Side: "It was song number 3 on John's last CD/gonna make it through this year if it killed me/and it almost killed me"
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:01 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
I do, too. My adversity hardly ever feels bad enough to do the song justice but yeah when things go bad it's the first song I reach for.
there's a nice reference to it on a Hold Steady B-Side: "It was song number 3 on John's last CD/gonna make it through this year if it killed me/and it almost killed me"
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 4:01 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
What about "This Year?" Doesn't anybody else use this as their personal theme song for overcoming adversity? Or is that just me?
I just discovered it earlier this year, but yes, this is me too.
posted by asterix at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011
I just discovered it earlier this year, but yes, this is me too.
posted by asterix at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011
Heh. Somehow I totally forgot that my old livejournal name (sixcylinders) was in reference to "This Year." I guess that song meant a lot to me once.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011
Jeez, not a single voice yet for Oceanographer's Choice, the finest tune he's ever done?
And yes, it turned out just as someone expected:
Countdown to "omg no children is totes my favorite song evar!!!111" I know you Metafilter. I KNOW you!
posted by imperium at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
And yes, it turned out just as someone expected:
Countdown to "omg no children is totes my favorite song evar!!!111" I know you Metafilter. I KNOW you!
posted by imperium at 4:08 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
High Hawk Season is lovely and not what I expected when I heard the harmonies described as "barbershop." This is more somber, almost devotional.
posted by Verdant at 4:45 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by Verdant at 4:45 PM on February 28, 2011
more gospel?
Sourdoire Valley Song is so mysterious and creepy. reminds me of Tianchi Lake.
i wonder when John's going to make a metal album. it seems like it's his main musical love but he plays to people who don't own any Slayer shirts...
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:00 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sourdoire Valley Song is so mysterious and creepy. reminds me of Tianchi Lake.
i wonder when John's going to make a metal album. it seems like it's his main musical love but he plays to people who don't own any Slayer shirts...
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:00 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I queued this up for workday listening but only got about halfway through. I'll run it tonight while making dinner, and maybe again after.
His recent albums have needed time to grow on me.
posted by Prince_of_Cups at 5:22 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
His recent albums have needed time to grow on me.
posted by Prince_of_Cups at 5:22 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
ND¢: Countdown to "omg no children is totes my favorite song evar!!!111" I know you Metafilter. I KNOW you!
So what? What if someone thinks No Children is their favorite song ever? Or their favorite Mountain Goats song? It's not my favorite song of Darnielle's but it doesn't diminish me if somebody loves that song. It's a great song, after all.
posted by Kattullus at 5:24 PM on February 28, 2011
So what? What if someone thinks No Children is their favorite song ever? Or their favorite Mountain Goats song? It's not my favorite song of Darnielle's but it doesn't diminish me if somebody loves that song. It's a great song, after all.
posted by Kattullus at 5:24 PM on February 28, 2011
Uggggh. ANOTHER Mountain Goats post?
posted by Threeway Handshake at 5:24 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Threeway Handshake at 5:24 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
So what? What if someone thinks No Children is their favorite song ever? Or their favorite Mountain Goats song? It's not my favorite song of Darnielle's but it doesn't diminish me if somebody loves that song. It's a great song, after all.
so a few years ago i was in a bad relationship. i'd brought the girl flowers at work, but she wasn't there. i went to another coffee shop to mope ('the waitress served my coffee with a consolation smile'), read comics, and chat with the baristas. they played me a bunch of great Dylan records and stuff and i kinda whined about what was happening. at about the time I decided to leave i heard 'No Children' come out of the speakers. pretty much the perfect moment
John introduced the song last time as about being in a relationship so bad it transforms you into somebody you don't like.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:28 PM on February 28, 2011
so a few years ago i was in a bad relationship. i'd brought the girl flowers at work, but she wasn't there. i went to another coffee shop to mope ('the waitress served my coffee with a consolation smile'), read comics, and chat with the baristas. they played me a bunch of great Dylan records and stuff and i kinda whined about what was happening. at about the time I decided to leave i heard 'No Children' come out of the speakers. pretty much the perfect moment
John introduced the song last time as about being in a relationship so bad it transforms you into somebody you don't like.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:28 PM on February 28, 2011
i wonder when John's going to make a metal album. it seems like it's his main musical love but he plays to people who don't own any Slayer shirts...
I (along with a half-dozen other Mefites) actually saw the Mountain Goats open for legendary stoner rock band Sleep, and while Darnelle begged the audience to stick around to see the much better band (in his own opinion), most of his fans split sometime in the middle of Sleep's first chord (which, in the MG fans' defense, lasted about three minutes). It was the first time I ever saw the Mountain Goats, and they were excellent (although they were no Sleep). They played "No Children," which was the most memorable song by a country mile.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:38 PM on February 28, 2011
I (along with a half-dozen other Mefites) actually saw the Mountain Goats open for legendary stoner rock band Sleep, and while Darnelle begged the audience to stick around to see the much better band (in his own opinion), most of his fans split sometime in the middle of Sleep's first chord (which, in the MG fans' defense, lasted about three minutes). It was the first time I ever saw the Mountain Goats, and they were excellent (although they were no Sleep). They played "No Children," which was the most memorable song by a country mile.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:38 PM on February 28, 2011
A few weeks ago, my ex and I shouted the lyrics to 'No Children' in a bar.
It was pretty cathartic. We're still friends. We're also not allowed to go back to that bar.
--
I wonder if John Darnielle's beginning to run into the same problem that The Simpsons writers have -- namely, that he's sung about every conceivable topic over the course of his ridiculously prolific career.
posted by schmod at 5:50 PM on February 28, 2011 [6 favorites]
It was pretty cathartic. We're still friends. We're also not allowed to go back to that bar.
--
I wonder if John Darnielle's beginning to run into the same problem that The Simpsons writers have -- namely, that he's sung about every conceivable topic over the course of his ridiculously prolific career.
posted by schmod at 5:50 PM on February 28, 2011 [6 favorites]
One time I took a friend to see a show that featured the mountain goats, Franklin Bruno and the extra glenns. They were surprised as they gradually realized the three bands consisted of a total of two people.
posted by snofoam at 6:05 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by snofoam at 6:05 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
This is the most wonderful post I could have ever asked for.
posted by reductiondesign at 6:09 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by reductiondesign at 6:09 PM on February 28, 2011
I wonder if John Darnielle's beginning to run into the same problem that The Simpsons writers have -- namely, that he's sung about every conceivable topic over the course of his ridiculously prolific career.
has he sung about The Simpsons? or, um, Jack Kirby's Fourth World?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:26 PM on February 28, 2011
has he sung about The Simpsons? or, um, Jack Kirby's Fourth World?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:26 PM on February 28, 2011
This is where I post a link to "Orange Ball of Love." Never before and never since has pop been simultaneously so declamatory, so strange-natured, and so great.
Well, except for ten or eleven other songs on Zopilote Machine and Sweden. Hey wow those are some damn records.
posted by escabeche at 6:34 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
Well, except for ten or eleven other songs on Zopilote Machine and Sweden. Hey wow those are some damn records.
posted by escabeche at 6:34 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
John Darnielle has just the best stage banter ever. I was standing a bit to his right when he said this. A little earlier, when the full band was on stage, they played the just absolutely most hard rock version of "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" it is possible to imagine. It is a damn shame that the Minneapolis show wasn't (fully) recorded.
Later during that show, when they were playing "Song for Dennis Brown," a guy laughed out loud at the line "and when the birds come home in spring, we will fill them full of buckshot." John stopped playing, looked straight at the guy, and said something to the effect of, "That is the first time anyone has actually laughed at that line. Thank you," and went right back to playing. Ever since then I can't hear that line without laughing.
I was introduced to tMG when my friend linked me to a YouTube video of "No Children", which had be laughing halfway through, and which completely changed my view of what indie rock could be with the lyrics, "I am drowning, There is no sign of land, You are coming down with me, Hand in unlovable hand." Then it was on to We Shall All Be Healed with "I can remember when we were in high school, Our dreams were like fugitive warlords". "Home Again Garden Grove" remains my all-time favorite song of his.
And it really doesn't matter what album you introduce some to the Mountain Goats with (except probably Get Lonely because really). They all have such lyrical gems on them which will either get someone hooked or reveal that they're not worth your time.
posted by cthuljew at 6:41 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Later during that show, when they were playing "Song for Dennis Brown," a guy laughed out loud at the line "and when the birds come home in spring, we will fill them full of buckshot." John stopped playing, looked straight at the guy, and said something to the effect of, "That is the first time anyone has actually laughed at that line. Thank you," and went right back to playing. Ever since then I can't hear that line without laughing.
I was introduced to tMG when my friend linked me to a YouTube video of "No Children", which had be laughing halfway through, and which completely changed my view of what indie rock could be with the lyrics, "I am drowning, There is no sign of land, You are coming down with me, Hand in unlovable hand." Then it was on to We Shall All Be Healed with "I can remember when we were in high school, Our dreams were like fugitive warlords". "Home Again Garden Grove" remains my all-time favorite song of his.
And it really doesn't matter what album you introduce some to the Mountain Goats with (except probably Get Lonely because really). They all have such lyrical gems on them which will either get someone hooked or reveal that they're not worth your time.
posted by cthuljew at 6:41 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
John Darnielle has just the best stage banter ever.
He introduced a song off Life of the World To Come by explaining that the chorus was from (obscure PS2 action-RPG) Odin Sphere and then complained about the skimpy, impractical outfits JRPG characters wear. and then a few songs later he'd be serious
John's face when he sings is the purest expression of JOY that i can imagine
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:44 PM on February 28, 2011
He introduced a song off Life of the World To Come by explaining that the chorus was from (obscure PS2 action-RPG) Odin Sphere and then complained about the skimpy, impractical outfits JRPG characters wear. and then a few songs later he'd be serious
John's face when he sings is the purest expression of JOY that i can imagine
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 6:44 PM on February 28, 2011
Well, except for ten or eleven other songs on Zopilote Machine and Sweden. Hey wow those are some damn records.
Possibly my two favorite Mountain Goats albums.
I hate to be one of those guys, but I felt the same way about Tallahassee as I felt about season eight of The Simpsons. It was good, but I didn't like what it said about the future of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats is still my favorite band and The Simpsons is still my favorite TV show, but it's almost impossible for me to listen to new albums or watch new episodes.
posted by jessssse at 7:11 PM on February 28, 2011
Possibly my two favorite Mountain Goats albums.
I hate to be one of those guys, but I felt the same way about Tallahassee as I felt about season eight of The Simpsons. It was good, but I didn't like what it said about the future of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats is still my favorite band and The Simpsons is still my favorite TV show, but it's almost impossible for me to listen to new albums or watch new episodes.
posted by jessssse at 7:11 PM on February 28, 2011
John Darnielle has just the best stage banter ever.
I just wanted to chime in here to say that the Mountain Goats are rather well-represented on the Internet Archive Live Music Archive, full of free downloads.
posted by zachxman at 7:55 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I just wanted to chime in here to say that the Mountain Goats are rather well-represented on the Internet Archive Live Music Archive, full of free downloads.
posted by zachxman at 7:55 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I haven't been able to really get into any Mountain Goats album since We Shall All Be Healed, though I pretty much wore out my copy of Come, Come to the Sunset Tree (I was lucky enough to get one of the limited vinyls with covers hand customized by Darnielle, each one completely different). And though I know that more than likely I'll continue to be slightly disappointed by each new album, I'll still listen, because you know, it's the effing Mountain Goats. There are two songs on the new album that I really like and I'm okay with that percentage; it's not like there's a shortage of awesome Mountain Goats songs.
I have a playlist of all of the Mountain Goats' "Going to..." songs and on bad days or good days or okay days, I listen to the whole thing and take the most amazingly absurd road trip in my mind.
posted by eunoia at 8:08 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I have a playlist of all of the Mountain Goats' "Going to..." songs and on bad days or good days or okay days, I listen to the whole thing and take the most amazingly absurd road trip in my mind.
posted by eunoia at 8:08 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
somebody made a map of all the places he mentions
might need to update it for this
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:01 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
might need to update it for this
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 9:01 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
What about "This Year?" Doesn't anybody else use this as their personal theme song for overcoming adversity? Or is that just me?
Yep, me too. Although like Lovecraft in Brooklyn I often don't find that my adversity quite measure up, this song has gotten me through a number of difficult times. The Sunset Tree in general has been very good to me, actually. I haven't kept up with all of his more recent stuff, but I am enjoying listening to this one so far - "Estate Sale Sign" is definitely pretty awesome.
I've seen the Mountain Goats probably 4 or 5 times (and have tickets for about a month from now), but perhaps my favorite was the show at the 6th and I Synagogue in DC. As I recall , someone requested "The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton" and he responded with something about feeling weird singing "Hail Satan" in a synagogue (aha, here is a review, and apparently what he said was that Jews are “not responsible for all the crazy business about Satan”).
Also, if you're ever in Ypsilanti, MI and lonely, go the Corner Brewery - a stall in the ladies' room has the lyrics to "No Children" scribbled on the wall. Trust me, it's weirdly comforting.
posted by naoko at 9:02 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yep, me too. Although like Lovecraft in Brooklyn I often don't find that my adversity quite measure up, this song has gotten me through a number of difficult times. The Sunset Tree in general has been very good to me, actually. I haven't kept up with all of his more recent stuff, but I am enjoying listening to this one so far - "Estate Sale Sign" is definitely pretty awesome.
I've seen the Mountain Goats probably 4 or 5 times (and have tickets for about a month from now), but perhaps my favorite was the show at the 6th and I Synagogue in DC. As I recall , someone requested "The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton" and he responded with something about feeling weird singing "Hail Satan" in a synagogue (aha, here is a review, and apparently what he said was that Jews are “not responsible for all the crazy business about Satan”).
Also, if you're ever in Ypsilanti, MI and lonely, go the Corner Brewery - a stall in the ladies' room has the lyrics to "No Children" scribbled on the wall. Trust me, it's weirdly comforting.
posted by naoko at 9:02 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, he played at the NYC Planned Parenthood rally this weekend. He showed up early, and stayed for the entire thing.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:11 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Threeway Handshake at 9:11 PM on February 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
Entry Point: All Hail West Texas
Guaranteed instant mist-up: Pale Green Things
Go-to contemplative song for career changes, breakups, and moves across country: Wild Sage
I love how everyone is holding court about their individual experiences with The Mountain Goats and John Darnielle here. Although people disagree about the nature of his trajectory, it seems that everyone remains passionate regardless.
Everyone has their opinion on the technical logistics or the lyrical sting of each effort, but they remain affected nonetheless. It's hard to leaven passion with logic. The Mountain Goats have successfully articulated feelings and shades of feelings that I never knew I was capable of understanding. I think many of you have had a similar experience.
Anyways, let me step off of my soapbox. I'm streaming the new album right now and sniffing it out. I'm enjoying it so far.
Thanks a lot for the post!
posted by shiggins at 9:27 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Guaranteed instant mist-up: Pale Green Things
Go-to contemplative song for career changes, breakups, and moves across country: Wild Sage
I love how everyone is holding court about their individual experiences with The Mountain Goats and John Darnielle here. Although people disagree about the nature of his trajectory, it seems that everyone remains passionate regardless.
Everyone has their opinion on the technical logistics or the lyrical sting of each effort, but they remain affected nonetheless. It's hard to leaven passion with logic. The Mountain Goats have successfully articulated feelings and shades of feelings that I never knew I was capable of understanding. I think many of you have had a similar experience.
Anyways, let me step off of my soapbox. I'm streaming the new album right now and sniffing it out. I'm enjoying it so far.
Thanks a lot for the post!
posted by shiggins at 9:27 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
John's face when he sings is the purest expression of JOY that i can imagine
When he is onstage, in the middle of a song, some sort of strumming going on, and draws his sights from one side of the audience to the other, lit up with that expression of "I am so happy to be alive and here and doing this", looking like Kermit at the end of the Muppet Show, mouth-hand wide open, nodding in rhythm -- ah, such joy!
Listening to his recent releases sometimes I feel he's a different band than in the Shrimper records days. And that's true. But then I go see him on tour, with Peter Hughes and Jon Wurster backing him up, AND THEY TEAR UP those old songs, taking them from an individual rage, to which I'm sympathetic, into the rockingest rock ever. And, hey, that's loud, and it sounds good too, and my emotional response receives amplification.
posted by Prince_of_Cups at 9:55 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
When he is onstage, in the middle of a song, some sort of strumming going on, and draws his sights from one side of the audience to the other, lit up with that expression of "I am so happy to be alive and here and doing this", looking like Kermit at the end of the Muppet Show, mouth-hand wide open, nodding in rhythm -- ah, such joy!
Listening to his recent releases sometimes I feel he's a different band than in the Shrimper records days. And that's true. But then I go see him on tour, with Peter Hughes and Jon Wurster backing him up, AND THEY TEAR UP those old songs, taking them from an individual rage, to which I'm sympathetic, into the rockingest rock ever. And, hey, that's loud, and it sounds good too, and my emotional response receives amplification.
posted by Prince_of_Cups at 9:55 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
...when i saw him last somebody yelled out 'Hast Thou Considered The Tetrapod' and it was pronounced so perfectly that John had to play it.
One day, god willing, this will happen with Azo Tle Nelli in Tlalticpac.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:02 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
One day, god willing, this will happen with Azo Tle Nelli in Tlalticpac.
posted by Dormant Gorilla at 10:02 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
Well. This is my third time listening to the album tonight. I think that's a good sign.
posted by schmod at 10:11 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by schmod at 10:11 PM on February 28, 2011
That was lovely. No songs have really hooked me yet-- I've been on a Romans 10:9 kick for ages and I think I have to get over that before I can really attach myself to a different song. But it sounds decent so far.
Oh, and to join this game:
Introductory song: Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle
Teeth gritting and going on with your day song: Lovecraft in Brooklyn
Song that my ex-boyfriend hates because I played it all the time when I first discovered it, which in retrospect I should've really just done when I was alone because he is sensitive to that sort of thing; he freaked out once when I told him to play "Grounds For Divorce" by Wolf Parade because I like it and it is a good song: No Children
posted by NoraReed at 10:31 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh, and to join this game:
Introductory song: Thank You Mario But Our Princess Is In Another Castle
Teeth gritting and going on with your day song: Lovecraft in Brooklyn
Song that my ex-boyfriend hates because I played it all the time when I first discovered it, which in retrospect I should've really just done when I was alone because he is sensitive to that sort of thing; he freaked out once when I told him to play "Grounds For Divorce" by Wolf Parade because I like it and it is a good song: No Children
posted by NoraReed at 10:31 PM on February 28, 2011 [3 favorites]
The Mountain Goats have successfully articulated feelings and shades of feelings that I never knew I was capable of understanding. I think many of you have had a similar experience.
It seems to circle around similar feelings. The 'everything is crap but i've got somebody, so that's okay' feeling. And the 'something SO MASSIVE is happening, and i feel like my heart is going to explode' feeling.
I picked my username partly to be clever but partly because that song took a bit of nerdy trivia - Lovecraft's racism and hatred of New York - and turned it into a frightening metaphor for alienation and displacement and paranoia. While still rocking.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:33 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
It seems to circle around similar feelings. The 'everything is crap but i've got somebody, so that's okay' feeling. And the 'something SO MASSIVE is happening, and i feel like my heart is going to explode' feeling.
I picked my username partly to be clever but partly because that song took a bit of nerdy trivia - Lovecraft's racism and hatred of New York - and turned it into a frightening metaphor for alienation and displacement and paranoia. While still rocking.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:33 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
it looks like there's an Australian only bonus track that's not in the stream called 'Brisbane Hotel Sutra'... can't wait to hear it
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:42 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 10:42 PM on February 28, 2011
I guess this is the right place to give a shout out to OmieWise for introducing me to the Mountain Goats through MeFi Swap back in 2005. So thanks for that.
I suppose that means that I'd suggest Source Decay as a good intro song.
posted by mindless progress at 10:53 PM on February 28, 2011
I suppose that means that I'd suggest Source Decay as a good intro song.
posted by mindless progress at 10:53 PM on February 28, 2011
If Mr. Palmcorder and I have a song that's "our song," it's probably "No Children."
We're by no means an iteration of the Alpha couple. We're stable, drama-free, and basically happy; and while we do consume the odd substance it's pretty much always in a cheerful, moderate, middle-aged sort of way. We're way too cozy to be anthemic.
Still, "No Children." "No Children" is the song that makes us grab each other's hands and start belting along at top volume. It's the song we'd do at karaoke, if karaoke places ever had Mountain Goats tunes on offer.
I don't know what that means, exactly.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 11:04 PM on February 28, 2011 [4 favorites]
BAH! Thanks, this is great, and Estate Sale Sign makes me want to flail around excitedly, but I know that if I do, I'll be way too psyched to go to bed soon.
posted by brisquette at 11:07 PM on February 28, 2011
posted by brisquette at 11:07 PM on February 28, 2011
Although I stand by my choice of Tallahassee as the best entry point, I will also admit that All Hail West Texas runs a very, very close second. Some people might be put off by the lo-fi aesthetic, but it contains one of John's catchiest songs ("The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton"--just try not to spend the rest of the day humming "Hail Satan!" to yourself), one of his best character sketches ("Fall of the Star High School Running Back"), and the only song that rivals "No Children" in portraying the exquisite nastiness that can only exist between two people who no longer love each other ("Fault Lines.")
posted by Rangeboy at 11:07 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Rangeboy at 11:07 PM on February 28, 2011 [1 favorite]
For posterity, I love Your Belgian Things and Pigs that
Ran Straightaway into the water, Triumph Of. Those are my two favorites. But no acknowledgment of the Magic: The Gathering reference on MF yet? He can't really have a hand in all of those dork honeypots.
I still like the band, but the references seem thin to me. Like the Kaki King collab about Toad and Mario- the reference really didn't bring anything to the song but page hits.
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:13 AM on March 1, 2011
Ran Straightaway into the water, Triumph Of. Those are my two favorites. But no acknowledgment of the Magic: The Gathering reference on MF yet? He can't really have a hand in all of those dork honeypots.
I still like the band, but the references seem thin to me. Like the Kaki King collab about Toad and Mario- the reference really didn't bring anything to the song but page hits.
posted by kittensofthenight at 12:13 AM on March 1, 2011
Like the Kaki King collab about Toad and Mario- the reference really didn't bring anything to the song but page hits.
I would say that song enriched my experience of Mario more than vice versa. Super Mario doesn't really condition you to think about the sad state of those Toads before you rescue them, and even after you rescue them it's pretty much just a punch-line and disappointment. So, for that new perspective, at least, the reference has clearly added value to my life.
posted by Copronymus at 12:56 AM on March 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I would say that song enriched my experience of Mario more than vice versa. Super Mario doesn't really condition you to think about the sad state of those Toads before you rescue them, and even after you rescue them it's pretty much just a punch-line and disappointment. So, for that new perspective, at least, the reference has clearly added value to my life.
posted by Copronymus at 12:56 AM on March 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I became a mountain goats fan only a few years ago, thanks to a mate, and have only gotten to see him/them once, that being the number of times they've toured Australia recently. Big fan of everything 2004 to 2008. Unfortunately I thought that The Life of the World to Come was very ordinary.
posted by wilful at 3:06 AM on March 1, 2011
posted by wilful at 3:06 AM on March 1, 2011
It's the song we'd do at karaoke, if karaoke places ever had Mountain Goats tunes on offer.
I have done "Palmcorder Yajna" at karaoke. Envy me, people who don't live in insufferable-in-some-respects-but-also-great college towns!
posted by escabeche at 5:51 AM on March 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
I have done "Palmcorder Yajna" at karaoke. Envy me, people who don't live in insufferable-in-some-respects-but-also-great college towns!
posted by escabeche at 5:51 AM on March 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
I saw the Mountain Goats shortly after Get Lonely (an amazing record that I love a ton) came out. I was with a friend and fellow songwriter, and we hung around to pester John after the show. My buddy asked him a relatively JV question, something along the lines of "where do you get your inspiration?" John looked at him, deadpan, and asked "Do you have a girlfriend?" When my friend replied in the affirmative, John shot back "I hope she leaves you."
I love that man.
posted by brand-gnu at 8:18 AM on March 1, 2011 [7 favorites]
I love that man.
posted by brand-gnu at 8:18 AM on March 1, 2011 [7 favorites]
My sister introduced me to tMG about 9 years ago via a mix CD she gave me when I asked her what the kids were listening to these days. (It also had Sonic Youth and Joy Division on it, which was both hilarious and life-affirming.) It was Tallahassee that first hooked me, but when I went searching for more and found "Going to Georgia," which reminded me of nothing so much as a John Prine song, I was smitten.
The last couple-few albums didn't grab me at first, but steadily grew on me until I found I couldn't live without them on my iAudio. And even the songs I don't love are absolutely amazing live.
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:57 AM on March 1, 2011
The last couple-few albums didn't grab me at first, but steadily grew on me until I found I couldn't live without them on my iAudio. And even the songs I don't love are absolutely amazing live.
posted by rhiannonstone at 9:57 AM on March 1, 2011
I'm glad John raises his voice on this one.
posted by theodolite at 12:04 PM on March 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 12:04 PM on March 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
I became a mountain goats fan only a few years ago, thanks to a mate, and have only gotten to see him/them once, that being the number of times they've toured Australia recently.
Huh? They toured here last year, twice in 2008, once in 2007, and I think twice before that
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:25 PM on March 1, 2011
Huh? They toured here last year, twice in 2008, once in 2007, and I think twice before that
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:25 PM on March 1, 2011
forgot to mention that the first time i saw them live was the day I'd moved out of home from the first time. was feeling a bit weird, went to the show. utter magic.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:27 PM on March 1, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:27 PM on March 1, 2011
But no acknowledgment of the Magic: The Gathering reference on MF yet? He can't really have a hand in all of those dork honeypots.
why not? Its easier if you think of him as the metalhead he is. If you meet a guy in an Iron Maiden shirt would you be surprised that he's into Magic: The Gathering, HP Lovecraft, videogames and Roman history?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:29 PM on March 1, 2011
why not? Its easier if you think of him as the metalhead he is. If you meet a guy in an Iron Maiden shirt would you be surprised that he's into Magic: The Gathering, HP Lovecraft, videogames and Roman history?
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:29 PM on March 1, 2011
My turn to share: 1994 cross-country U-Haul trip, physical and psychological baggage. R, my friend-who-is-a-girl, rode with me. We were trash-talking my recent ex when a college radio station somewhere between Chicago and Philadelphia played:
I know that one of us
I'm not saying who
Has got rocks in her head
You may know it as Orange Ball of Hate, but to R and me it shall always be M's Song.
Three years later, I crossed the whole damn continent again just to see him in SF. At the show, my then-girlfriend looked at me and said, "You have a crush on him, don't you?"
posted by whuppy at 6:30 AM on March 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I know that one of us
I'm not saying who
Has got rocks in her head
You may know it as Orange Ball of Hate, but to R and me it shall always be M's Song.
Three years later, I crossed the whole damn continent again just to see him in SF. At the show, my then-girlfriend looked at me and said, "You have a crush on him, don't you?"
posted by whuppy at 6:30 AM on March 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm gonna bribe the officials. I'm gonna kill all the judges. It's gonna take you people years to recover from all of the damage.
posted by NoraReed at 2:31 PM on March 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by NoraReed at 2:31 PM on March 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
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