Disco de The Mountain Goats: “Protein Source of the Future...Now!”

I am going to completely agree with Charles R. Watson's review. But I have one recommendation: listen to Seed Song. It is one of the saddest and most amazing single pieces on the album. Indeed, one of the saddest songs ever made. Great stuff.

For fans of the Mountain Goats, this one won't disappoint. Each new Mountain Goats album sets the standard higher and higher, and Protein Source of the Future...Now! which is actually a compilation of previously unreleased material, is no exception. The style of these songs is consistent with the those of all of John Darnielle's other releases, yet no two tracks are really alike despite the limited chord variations. The songs are extremely rhythmic, which might come as a surprise given there isn't much in the way of percussion (though some tracks feature what sounds like an ultra-low end drum machine), which of course is typical of Darnielle's early work. Also surprising to me was the compilation's very melodic nature. On tracks like "Alpha Omega," "The Monkey Song," "Pure Heat," and perhaps most of all "The Window Song," which features rich, smooth harmonies from Rachel Ware, Darnielle isn't afraid to use simple, common chord changes as he plays what might be some of the prettiest music of the MoGo repertoire with strong, sweet melodies.

Lyrically, it's just as impressive as rest of Darnielle's work. Because Protein Source is a compilation of sporadically recorded songs as opposed to an album written with a unifying theme, the songs are not always conceptually linked (as MoGo fans are aware, the "Going To..." and "Pure..." songs constitute somewhat of an exception to this) though the collection is rife with references to seeds, planting, and crops of the harvest. Tracks with titles like "Seed Song," "Coco-Yam Song," "Fresh Berries For You," and "Yam, King of Crops," might explain the somewhat obscure title of the compilation, though the name comes from a book about tofu.

I give this compilation four stars out of five only because the bar is so high for the Mountain Goats. If the average fan has a "least favorite" Mountain Goats album, he or she would doubtfully give it fewer than four stars and would probably hesitate to describe it as "bad." I don't know if I have a least favorite MoGo release, but Protein Source certainly is not it. I encourage anyone who is interested in Protein Source of the Future...Now! to purchase it...now!

I am a complete fan of John Darnielle, but I have not so far got into this album. If you are just starting to collect the Mourtain Goats' wonderful repertoire, I would start with 'The Sunset Tree', 'Babylon Springs' 'Get Lonely' and 'We shall all be healed' (and don't forget 'All hail west texas". John Darnielle is a unique talent and if you ever get the chance to see him live, do not miss it.

Darnielle has become one of the most remarkable writers in pop music and his musical talents are equal to his lyrics.