The Mountain Goats

[smige2]

Are you a fan? I hear them in the Weakerthans and Andrew Jackson Jihad, and I know The Hold Steady cite them as an influence (there's a reference to one of their lyrics in 'Girls Like Status').

Personally I love the later stuff (The Sunset Tree, All Eternals Deck, Transcendental Youth etc.) but I find the older, lo-fi stuff really inaccessible. A lot of their fans think the early stuff is better, but I find it a challenge to get into.

[frank]

Can't say I'm familiar. Will check em out.

[sara]

Wow, i'm not sure why, but for some reason I really would have suspected you (frank) to be a big fan already. Mountain Goats are great - so much so that I had to join the forum just so I could put in these recommendations:

Faultlines: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YZDpksvNRjM. (One of the aforementioned lo-fi recordings. Brilliant lyrics, in my opinion.)

This Year: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eetIgGXH6DA (This is the one referenced by The Hold Steady, and is the most accessible of the three here)

The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4IsXKMkDAMQ

[jdc]

Wow, i'm not sure why, but for some reason I really would have suspected you (frank) to be a big fan already.

I was actually surprised by this as well. I don't consider them to be overly obscure amongst indie/folk/alt music fans (and musicians) just by virtue of being around for so long, even though they've never been a particularly "buzzy" group (that I'm aware of). Curious what Frank will think of John Darnielle's voice, which can be an acquired taste - and also some of his lyrics (I imagine that "The Fall of the High School Running Back" is both too specific and somewhat universal, haha).

[smige2]

Here are a few of my favourites:

No Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRP6egIEABk (This is their other 'big song' besides This Year)

Going to Georgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwqAL46ly3I (One old song that I am really into. AJJ have covered this.)

Harlem Roulette: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzv7oiKqOvU (From the latest album. Contains the lyric: "Every dream's a good dream / even awful dreams are good dreams / if you're doing it right", which I think is great, but my friends constantly take the piss out of me for it.)

[smige2]

Did you get chance to listen to the Goats, Frank?

[frank]

Yes. I'm sold.

[Spottyfriend]

I mean if you're friends(ish) with John K, and he's friends with John Darnielle (of The Mountain Goats), then your half way to liking them already.You have Mountain Goats points as it is.

[smige2]

Quietly proud that Frank has included This Year on a couple of Spotify playlists.

[sara]

Quietly proud that Frank has included This Year on a couple of Spotify playlists.

Me too. Makes me happy that more people will get to hear the Mountain Goats, too.

[goldust]

I got into them as a direct result of this thread and have hardly stopped listening to them since. Cheers!

[blastman]

I just realised these guys are playing in Dublin in November and it's bloody sold out!! Feck it anyway.....

[Spottyfriend]

I've waited years for this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW0VJla8hVc

[smige2]

I've waited years for this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW0VJla8hVc

Definitely a direct result of this thread

[TerribleTeaGuzzler]

Love this. No Children is a fave, and Damn These Vampires. I was actually introduced to The Mountain Goats at a domestic abuse survivor group. Has a special place in my heart. Very glad to see Frank playing them now.