Record Review - 3 February 12 2004

Every open-mic night has one annoying guy who sings like his narcissistic banalities are startling insights of Dylan-esque proportions. Mountain Goat John Darnielle has sometimes seemed like one of those guys, albeit one who just happened to get lucky enough to find a few thousand rabid fans. But, despite occasional flashes of visceral connection, his early lo-fi, acoustic output grates at least as often as it rubs up against greatness.

By contrast, his recent work for 4AD — the esoteric label that launched the Pixies and Cocteau Twins — has charted complementary growth arcs in the Goats’ musical approach and Darnielle’s own lyrical output. After the too-bright polish of 2002’s Tallahassee, Darnielle has struck an agreeable balance on We Shall All Be Healed. This results in some genuinely engaging moments on “Cotton” and the moving “Your Belgian Things,” as well as the intermittent piercing line like the sophomoric recollection, “Our dreams were like fugitive warlords.”

With a full band at his disposal, Darnielle pens tunes that give themselves over to genial arrangements (take the Waterboys-like opener “Slow West Vultures”). Songs such as the repetitious “Mole” lapse back into the unaffecting self-importance of past releases, but they’re redeemed by the minimalist musings of “All Up the Seething Coast” and the dark organ churnings and sprightly vocals of “Quito.” This all augurs well for future releases.

Healed proves a ray of hope for listeners who’ve never bought into the premature indie-rock orthodoxy surrounding Darnielle’s obvious talents as a songwriter and performer.

The Mountain Goats perform at the Earl on Wed., Feb. 18. $8.