The Lyrics.
That would be my answer to the question "What is it about the Mountain Goats that you find so appealing?"
The incomparable writing skills of Head Goat, John Darnielle, have the ability to bring stories and subject matters alive. I have read him described as "America's Best Non- Hip Hop Lyricist" by critics. The man can tell a story through music like very few can and his new album, Beat The Champ, adds more descriptive tales to an already extensive musical collection. Darnielle's talent for writing have allowed me to embrace and latch on to a genre of music I normally wouldn't be drawn to. The sound has a way growing on you as well - like an acquired taste. Darnielle and the Mountain Goats came to the House of Blues in Boston on Tuesday night, in support of Beat The Champ, which deals with the subject of professional wrestling- a topic near and dear to Darnielle's heart.
The Mountain Goats took the stage promptly at 9:00pm to a warm and welcoming round of cheers and applause from the nearly sold out crowd . "Stabbed to Death Outside San Juan" kicked off the set. I think I should make a point to note that I am not one of those die-hard Goat fans, as I only own 5 of their 15 full length albums. From "Stabbed to Death Outside San Juan" Darnielle went into "Cry for Judas" before delving into new track,"Animal Mask." Other songs off of Beat the Champ that would make the setlist were "Foreign Object," "Luna," "The Legend of Chavo Guerrero," and my personal favorite off the album "Southwestern Territory." "Southwestern Territory" is a beautifully sounding song about a wrestler looking back at his past. It includes one of my favorite lines off the record, "I try to remember what life was like long ago, but its gone, you know."
The almost 90 minute Setlist included favorites such as "Get Lonely, "Love, Love, Love," "Steal Smoked Fish," and "Up the Wolves." The band played along Darnielle for most of the set, minus 3 acoustic numbers Darnielle performed solo smack dab in the middle of the show. The mellow, yet seemingly appreciative crowd, swayed or subtly nodded their heads along to the music. For my liking, there just wasn't enough energy flowing through the House of Blues on this particular night. Besides a couple of enthusiastic fans, the collective crowd was extremely subdued. The show lacked that important element of energy, an element that is crucial in my subjective show going experience. I want to be able to "feel" the show... and I just wasn't able to. Darnielle seemed to carry himself on stage with that same poignancy that is reflected in so many of his songs. He was able to exude a comfortableness on stage, as he drew more than a few laughs from the crowd while bantering. Darnielle also made a point to let the crowd know that his voice had taken a beating lately due to recent performances. The 17 song set ended with "Amy Aka Spent Gladiator 1" before the band returned to the stage for an encore of "Song For Dennis Brown" and "This Year." As the majority of the crowd began to make their way towards the exits the band returned to the stage for what could only be described as an obligatory 2nd Encore, as there really wasn't a whole lot of noise being made to bring them back out. The Goats played "Spent Gladiator 2" before ending the show on a high note with fan favorite "No Children." Darnielle asked the crowd to give his ailing voice a little help by singing along with him and they happily obliged, as most belted out the lyrics to "No Children" word for word.
Don't get me wrong, The Mountain Goats gave the crowd a worthy performance. They sounded tight and sharp and its not every night you get to hear a clarinet, saxophone, and piano all incorporated into a set. Yet throughout, I couldn't help but find myself thinking, "Is this the best way to listen to and experience this music?" "Is a big venue the best way to appreciate a band like this?" Personally, my answer to both of these questions would be "no." I believe I would prefer to take in this elegant music filled with profound lyrical content either in smaller venue or from the comfort of my own home. I think even the couch, with a cold beer, and a record player might be more advantageous for taking in and appreciating every word uttered and every note played by such talented musicians, in comparison to the House of Blues. At least, that's the opinion of this show goer.