KEY POINTS:
Herald rating: * * * *
Portland, Oregon has bred and inspired many fine bands: the Dandy Warhols, the Decemberists, adoptees Stephen Malkmus, Sleater-Kinney and the Shins.
It's also where the Mountain Goats, who share the Decemberists' autumnal folk style, have made several albums, many released on cassette since the 90s.
Lead singer John Darnielle is one of the modern music scene's few true storytellers, even if past songs have proved to be a little on the earnest, pessimistic side, his vocal reedy enough to say it's as bleating as his band's name.
But here he has honed his songwriting, attaching literary lyrics to personal tales with an optimism that suits the album's organic recording. "I feel so proud to be alive," he sings on the title track, despite his body being dragged along the ground in the song.
As much as this is Darnielle's record, the instrumentation makes for a richly textured band effort. Deep, velvety cellos accompany the lovely San Bernardino and How to Embrace a Swamp Creature, guitars act as percussion on In the Craters of the Moon and a piano twinkles lightly like the surface of the water on Tianchi Lake.
Label: Rhythmethod
Verdict: Kids find a lot to be proud of on umpteenth release
