October 08, 2004

Mountain Goats: SouthPaw

I saw the Mountain Goats at SouthPaw Wednesday night. They are absolutely my favorite band right now. I am not sure I can accurately describe how happy that band makes me. John Darnielle is a goddamn genius.

My friend Eric recommended them to me months ago and this was the first time I saw them live.

The show started late. The doors opened at 8 but John Vanderslice, who opened, didn't go on until 10. The Mountain Goats didn't get to the stage until 11.

Even though it was a work night, it was totally worth it.

Who would have thought that there could be such a crazy energy coming from just one acoustic guitar (and John sat through most of the show) and a bass? It helps that John Darnielle's lyrics are the smartest and most perceptive being written today. Well, in my opinion.

Highlights were definitely "No Children" and when Vanderslice and his band came out to join in a full tilt version of "See America Right". In fact, he could have played the whole Tallahassee album start to finish all night for all I cared. Hell, I do that at home sometimes.

My only complaint was that it was seemed so short. It was a little over an hour but it seemed to go by much too quickly. I guess it's a good thing they stopped so I knew when to go home.