Mountain Goats - ICA, London. 30/3/2004
by Daniel Cressey
published: 16 / 4 / 2004
intro
Lo fi act the Mountain Goats have gained a strong reputation for their songs "of catchy, alt-country bitterness". Daniel Cressey watches them play "a wonderfully intimate gig" at the London ICA
It seems like it might be amateur night at the ICA. Vinnie Miller shuffles into view and starts by apologising: “I haven’t been on stage for four months.” Then he can’t find his plectrum. A few songs later he starts singing into a microphone he has turned off two minutes earlier. Likewise Headshoppe’s lead singer gets thirty seconds into his opening song before apologising for singing the wrong verse. But while Miller is interesting to listen to – if slightly inconsistent – Headshoppe are like Half Man Half Biscuit without the jokes. That is to say: excruciating. All is forgiven as soon as the Mountain Goats arrive however. Despite the fact that there are several albums behind them they still manage to look excited at the prospect of playing in the acoustically bare box that is the ICA. But while the Goats lack the world weariness of some they are certainly no amateurs. Accompanied by just a bassist, the guitarist and chief Goat John Darnielle thrashes out song after song of catchy, alt-country bitterness. The Mountain Goats have perfected the art of lyrics that promise to deliver to you a totally revealing new insight into life but then just slip into incomprehensibility at the final moment. This talent continues with the more personal songs performed: “My love is like the border between Greece and Albania: Loaded with weapons.” Darnielle looks remarkably healthy and happy for a man who has obviously lived through a fair amount. The explanations of his song inspirations sometimes make you wonder whether you should laugh or buy the poor sod a drink: “This is a song about the people you used to love but then they sold your stereo to buy drugs so you don’t love them anymore.” “This is a song about what happens when two people fall in love; not with each other but with speed.” “This one is from the point of view of my girlfriend visiting me in intensive care where I’d been handcuffed to the bed.” That said the man who whooped loudly when a song was dedicated to Darnielle’s dead friend probably should have contained himself a bit. This was a wonderfully intimate gig, packed full of great songs, from a truly unique band; far from being the amateur night it started out looking like. Darnielle doesn’t put a foot wrong, apart from the brief interlude where he claims that it’s going to be a great year for the Chicago Cubs and Man City. Don’t base any bets on his sporting predictions but don’t miss his gigs.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/the-Mountain-Goats/17314008126https://twitter.com/mountain_goats
http://www.mountain-goats.com/
http://www.themountaingoats.net/
Picture Gallery:-
live reviews |
Shepherd's Bush Empire, London, 19/11/2015 |
Daniel Cressey watches Americana act the Mountain Goats play a bleak but compelling show at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in London to promote their latest album 'Beat the Champ' on which front man John Darnielle’s songwriting focuses on the professional wrestling world |
Mountain Goats |
KOKO, London, 26/5/2011 |
KOKO, London, 7/9/2010 |
Union Chapel, London, 8/12/2007 |
Scala, London, 23/11/2005 |
favourite album |
All Hail West Texas (2013) |
In our Re:View section, in which our writers look back on albums from the past, Dan Cressey examines lo-fi act Mountain Goats' 2002 album 'All Hail West Texas', which has recently been reissued |
reviews |
Goths (2017) |
Abstract but haunting latest concept album from the Mountain Goats upon which front man John Darnielle sympathetically examines the 80's Gothic movement |
Beat the Champ (2015) |
The Life of the World to Come (2009) |
Heretic Pride (2008) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jimmy Nail - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Nerve - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart