Mountain Goats:All Eternals Deck

7/10 dropps

This year marks John Darnielle’s 20th year composing and performing music as The Mountain Goats and with the new year comes his new album entitled All Eternals Deck. The latter half of Darnielle’s career has been characterized by a shift from his traditional lo fi folk sound, to more refined, in-studio recordings usually accompanied by at least one other instrument other than acoustic guitar or piano. This more welcoming style brought with it a spike in popularity and even 2 television appearances. Darnielle has made a name for himself with an innovative folk rock sound and miles of lyrical content. With so much progress behind him, it is hard to say that All Eternal’s Deck is John’s best work, but it is a solid follow up to his previous albums and the experimentation with his newer studio sound is a real treat to experience.

The new album has not received as much buzz as past works partially because it is not a concept album (like the last few) and is, therefore, less focused (lyrically and musically) Although there are a few repeated themes of guilt and reflection(“Prowl Great Cain,” “Outer Scorpion Squadron”) , and the fate of “doomed” souls,(“Beautiful Gas Masks”) none are prevalent enough to call them inspirations for the entire album. But just because there isn’t a steady concept behind it all, doesn’t make the imagery any less powerful. Darnielle has yet to release an album that does not contain a lyrical eloquence that just isn’t seen in a lot of music today. “Damn These Vampires” uses eerie images of bloodsuckers and cowboys to symbolize difficulties with motivation and overcoming past experiences. The fourth track “Age of Kings” is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The lyrics address emotional euphoria, with phrases like “age of kings” and “felt like god’s anointed,” and fear of it’s end. The variety of the lyrics really made some of the songs, but the topic swaps leave an odd taste when the whole CD is played in a row.

In order to place emphasis on his strength in written word, Darnielle continued to develop his style of simple, quieter melodies to accompany his voice. The Mountain Goats have always been dedicated to music that enhances the message of the song with a simplicity that keeps us focused the lyrical text. Most of the tracks have some form of light percussion and bass guitar accompaniment for depth over an acoustic guitar/piano based melody. “High Hawk Season” uses one of the best adaptations of a barbershop quartet in modern rock that gives the track all the soft qualities of a lullaby. “For Charles Bronson” uses drawn out chords on a synthesizer to create a dreamy texture over a seldom-used electric guitar. Although none of the techniques used are qualified as innovative, Darnielle displays a willingness to grow and expand his repertoire of sound past his current position of just a poet who sings over a simple folk sound. He is trying to take his place as both a writer and a musician.

-Jordan Seacord