The Mountain Goats
The Life of the World to Come
Rating: 8.3/10.0
Recommended Tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12
RiYL: Folk-rock, The Bible [the book], John Vanderslice, Bowerbirds, M. Ward, Iron & Wine, Okkervil River
Another Mountain Goats album, another set of stories about the trials and tribulations of the people who populate John Darnielle’s dreams. This time they are brought up from the clay and cast in a Biblical perspective with each theme explained both through the lyrics and the Bible verse that makes up the song title.
The Life of the World to Come is softer and more minimalist than some of the most recent Mountain Goats albums. Many have no percussion or bass to speak of, with only John on his guitar or piano. This is a far cry from the heavily layered instrumentation found in 2008’s Heretic Pride. The minimal nature brings up memories of early Mountain Goats albums and adds a very somber tint to the whole work.
“Psalms 40:2″ follows a crazed narrator and inherits the maniacal presentation last seen in “Lovecraft in Brooklyn” while “Genesis 3:23″ takes things in a different direction with its soft-rock influence. “Romans 10:9″, “Hebrews 11:40″ and “Isaiah 45:23″ are typical of the post-West Texas Mountain Goats presentation done right.
“Matthew 25:21″ is a sad tune roughly describing the death of John Darnielle’s mother-in-law. Unfortunately it also happens to be very generic — almost as if this song has been on another Mountain Goats album previously; metaphors, imagery and all recycled to make a ghost of a song. In subsequent listens this track continues to be something of a dark spot in an otherwise enjoyable album.
Finally, I must mention “Ezekiel 7…” as it is very endearing and a wonderful conclusion to this album. Its soft and peaceful presentation is very much at odds with the violent nature of the main character. Every detail, especially the light use of percussion, work in concert to add so much to the atmosphere while being almost beyond conscious perception. I would put this track on level with other great introspective Mountain Goats songs such as “Love Love Love” and “Against Pollution.”
Whether they be nonbelievers, witches, criminals, lovers, murderers, or terminally ill, the narrators in these stories are characteristically light on words and heavy on action. The plight they face is universally dark, but the music that presents it to the audience usually lightens the soul with a joyous sound (a staple of the Mountain Goats). In the end, despite a few hiccups in places, their tales are engrossing and all-consuming just like old favorites from Mountain Goats albums past.