The Sunset Tree
4AD
2005
Rating: 7.5 broom teeth out of 10
Having been a Mountain Goats fan for some time, and having met some of his tightly-wound fans first hand, I could just about hear the collective gasp when John Darnielle released his previous disc - his first for 4AD and his first to have used any semblance of production at all. Gone was the tape hiss the typical obsessive-compulsive fan loved, and we entered into a new world of Goats, one making shiny music with extra members not named John Darnielle. As for myself, I loved the transformation, and was pleased to hear his witty lyrics in such a crisp fashion; but no doubt some fans were lost, as is always the case when a band makes a major transformation.
“The Sunset Tree” is his second album for 4AD, and not only is it a lot like it’s predecessor – fairly clean production, additional instrumentation outside of just Darnielle’s acoustic guitar…but it is also possibly one of the best albums he’s ever recorded. “Dance Music” was an instant favorite the second I heard it, and will be considered one of his best tracks when Rhino releases his “Greatest Hits” album whenever that comes out (Rhino does a greatest hits record for everyone, right?). This album may well be listed on a lot of top 10 lists at the end of the year, mine included, and it will be muchly deserved.
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