albumreview: The Mountain Goats' All Eternals Deck (2011)

It's nearly pointless to review a Mountain Goats record for me because I'm always going to love it. All Eternals Deck is John Darnielle's continuing adventures in hi-fi and also recording with permanent band-mates Peter Hughes and John Wurster. I know that many folks miss some sort of overarching concept (a la The Sunset Tree or Heretic Pride), but it's the singular moments in the individual songs that pull me out of my own skin.

Minimal guitar, bass and drums are the workhorses of most Mountain Goats songs over the last few years, but here on Deck the additional arrangements are integral instead of floral. The barbershop quartet rhythm section on album standout "High Hawk Season" perfectly suites the message of the song, Darnielle declaring, "We are young supernovas/and the heat's about to break." I imagine the band in the middle of a protest; signs, bricks and megaphones aplenty. Elsewhere, the string arrangements on "Age of Kings" and the angelic "Outer Scorpion Squadron" add a particular majesty to these tortured souls, Darnielle's hushed voice telling us bedtime stories of the broken.

I sit here at a loss on how I could convince anyone to listen to The Mountain Goats if they haven't before now. It's like a Twilight Zone episode where the protagonist in a small town finds a mountain of gold in his basement. He tries showing the neighbors, his friends, the mayor, but to no avail. No one can see it, but him. Desperately he drags the karats into the streets until people see that through his struggle, he is no fool. My only words to the uninitiated, Darnielle would write a song about this man with dignity and grace. This is All Eternals Deck, and The Mountain Goats, in a nutshell.

Listen:
The Mountain Goats-"High Hawk Season"
The Mountain Goats-"Outer Scorpion Squadron"

Look:
Mountain Goats official site

Show Reports: whoigettoseeinconcertsoon

Concerts are now the bread and butter of musicians since the most loyal fans are also too savvy to buy records anymore (7's are the pokemon cards of the hipsters). And now that I work a permanent day gig (collared shirt, parking pass and water cooler included), I look forward to cruising up to LA (in my modest champagne-colored '99 toyota camry), settling in with the hip kids at all the LA venues for a summer's worth of old favorites and up & comers. The list below is subject to more additions (if the gas prices don't kill me).

Zola Jesus @ The Satellite, 05.07.11
First discovered Nika Rosa Danilova at a free in-store show at Rough Trade in London and was supremely blown away by this tiny opera electro-pop singer. I look forward to seeing a full set from her. It'll also be my first time going to The Satellite in Silverlake.

Lord Huron @ The Troubadour, 05.14.11
Fleet Foxes ala Lion King with a dash of pineapple and other tropical fruits, Lord Huron has one grand single and a wonderful EP under their belt. I'm curious to see how it all translates live.

Allo Darlin' @ The Echo, 05.28.11
London's favorite local band, Allo Darlin's self-titled debut was my personal theme music while living in the Great Wen. I also had the pleasure of seeing them at East London venues Cargo and The Lexington. Can't wait to see them in California!

The Mountain Goats @ The El Rey, 06.23.11
Was lucky to see them a few years back at the Henry Fonda in LA and am still kicking myself for missing them in London. John Darnielle is a delightfully charming front man and I can't wait to go to the Church of the Mountain Goats again in June.

Washed Out @ The Echoplex, 07.08.11
THIS IS GOING TO BE THE HIPPEST PLACE IN THE WORLD ON THAT DATE. No really, Ernest Greene will be getting the royal fucking welcome in Silverlake. Viva la Chillwave!

Thao & Mirah @ The Hotel Cafe, 07.11.11
I've seen Mirah three times in Santa Barbara and the last time Thao With the Get Down Stay Down opened for her. I'd like to think my presence inspired them to collaborate together on a record. Should be a great evening even if that isn't true.

Cults @ The Echo 07.27.11
I was just chatting with a friend about seeing this elusive band and lo and behold California dates pop up. I have high hopes that this will be a great little show.

Cults @ Eagle Rock Center for the Arts 07.28.11
I've heard a lot of great things about this venue in East LA. It was a former church? Anyway I'm really excited to see Cults two nights in a row!


Who are yall seeing this summer?

Look:
songkick, your #1 place for finding shows

fillingthegap: 8.Bit Samba Kickoff Mix

I have a commensal relationship with the current office day job. I get to immerse myself in the current of new music a lot more than any gig I've had thus far (no, catering with power 106 blaring in the kitchen doesn't count). And so I must "fill the gap" so to speak and catch ya'll up in what's been vibrating in my ears in these last few weeks.

Sun Glitters_Everything Could Be Fine
Could this be the birth of the melancholywave genre? If not then at least the starry-eyed beat heavy sampler debut of Luxumburg's Sun Glitters is on track to be the thing to listen to when the sunshine's got you down.

D'Eon_"Transparency"
Montreal bearded art-popper D'Eon puts his sexy Phil Collins on for a twisted tale of synth love and longing. A highlight off Darkbloom, a split with fellow Canadian, Grimes, there's something simply devilish in those keyboards.

Mountain Goats_All Eternals Deck
Easily the best full-band Mountain Goats record since the cathartic The Sunset Tree, John Darnielle, Peter Hughes and Jon Wurster have crafted a timeless album that eases in the gut with every listen. Try naming a favorite song off Deck, give it a few seconds, and then you'll quickly take it back for this one or that one. Trust me, this will happen.

The Weeknd_House of Balloons
Hate-Sex jams are in full swing early in 2011 with the blogosphere-buzzing debut record from lo-fi r&b act The Weeknd. No matter how ugly you think the album will go, House of Balloons goes deeper with a grand "Hallelujah!" reviling in the beautiful mess that is our "end of the world" generation. It couldn't be more pitch-perfect right now.

Memory Tapes_"THIS IS OUR LIFE"
Piano Player is my most anticipated album of the year so far because of Dave Hawyk's infectious and anthemic lead single "THIS IS OUR LIFE." I mean for god's sakes look at that title! This is like every 60s girl-group shoved into a casio keyboard. I cannot fucking wait.


Listen:
THE MIXTAPE D/L

Look:
Sun Glitters bandcamp
D'Eon on myspace
The Mountain Goats official site
The Weeknd official site
Memory Tapes on myspace