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The Mountain Goats scale higher grounds
Tuesday 2nd October 2012 | David
The California-based outfit have released a 14th studio album to add to their extensive back catalogue
Having spent a lot of time as a solo recording artist, John Darnielle has incorporated a large number of musicians under the general term The Mountain Goats. The group released their 14th album, Transcendental Youth today – and it moves away from previous records that were bound up by an overarching narrative, making room for individual songs to shine through.
Like others before it, the album does have a theme – in this case, the outcasts, waifs and strays of society – with occasional shout-outs to artists who never quite reached the pinnacles of their successful careers. Opening track ‘Amy (AKA Spent Gladiator)’ references troubled singer Amy Winehouse, imploring in its chorus for the down-and-outs to “just stay alive”. The mixed bag of emotions that is ‘Harlem Roulette’ talks in great detail about Frankie Lymon and his last days of life, whilst lamenting the idea that "The loneliest people in the whole wide world are the ones you're never going to see again."
A collage of lilting piano and a solid horn section adds further emotion to an album that paints vivid pictures of various locations, from a bus stop on North East 33rd street in ‘White Cedar’ to the recording studio in ‘Harlem Roulette’. There aren’t too many sing-along tracks in the vein of ‘No Children’ to speak of, but the album as a whole is emotional and profound. You can hear all the songs from Transcendental Youth here.
The Mountain Goats will be touring America until the end of the year. Fans of Darnielle’s music should keep an eye out for any possible UK tour dates (none have been announced as yet).
By Dave Rees
