The Mountain Goats Album: “Nothing For Juice”

Though I haven't heard "The Coroner's Gambit" I can with reasonable certainty say that it's unlikely that the Mountain Goats will ever surpass "Nothing For Juice," which is one of the most truly beautiful records I have ever heard. I think the album's completely free of slackers and in it's finer moments (which are many) it achieves an almost transcendental grace. The Goats' haunted cover of Robert Johnson's haunted "Hellhound on My Trail" is a sublimely mournful homage from one guy with a guitar to another, "Full Flower" is an oddly jubilant song where the electric guitar drowns out Darnielle's voice at times, "Waving at You" embraces complete destitution by declaring in its opening line, "Listen, you can tell your lawyer that he can go to hell." And it's only fitting that on such an amazing record the closer, "Going to Scotland" is magnificent ("...and i loved you so much it was making me sick"). John Darnielle has a true gift with words but words can't do justice to this one. Dig it up at all costs.

Another great example of lo-fi Mountain goats. If you are finding this after listening to something like 'The Sunset Tree' or 'Get Lonely' and you are seeking something like either of those albums, this might not be the best choice for you.

If you are looking for the early lo-fi style MG this is a great choice.

If you are wondering what the hell i mean by lo-fi early mountain goats I would check out 'all hail west texas' before this one.

Why doesn't everyone love the mountain goats?