Probably my favorite record from  this year is The
Sunset Tree by the Mountain Goats.  Not power pop by a
longshot.  Incredibly intense and evocative indie folk
(not in a Devendra Banhart, freak flag flying way, yet
not quite folk-punk either).  John Darnielle (who is,
for all intents and purposes, the Mountain Goats) goes
the confessional singer-songwriter route on this
album, with wrenching tales of his abusive stepfather.
 Apparently, the guy died within the past few years,
and Darnielle finally felt comfortable letting it all
out, with a set of lyrics that perfectly capture his
state of teenage helplessness, rebellion, and need for
escape.  The highest of the many high points are This
Year, Dance Music, and You or Your Memory.

--Shawn, long absent

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