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listen up!: The Mountain Goats, Relient K

THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
The Life of the World to Come

To say Mountain Goats writer, composer, guitarist and vocalist John Darnielle is prolific is an understatement: He has played with or been credited in eight bands, and the Mountain Goats themselves have around 30 distinct releases, 17 of which are albums. The band formed in 1991, and Darnielle has been the only permanent member since then.

“The Life of the World to Come,” The Mountain Goats’ latest release, continues his sprawling literary vision.

The release is a series of interpretations, in order, of biblical verses. The lyrics aren’t readings but reactions, interpretations and experiences that Darnielle associates with the verses that each track is titled from. They are, as Darnielle puts it, “hard lessons” learned from these verses.

Newcomers will come for all the hip things they hear about the band – and might stay for the those moments in the record where you can just hear Darnielle straining to express something pure and truthful in his work as you catch up with his frenetic songwriting.

Longtime fans probably want more of the band anyway, and though the album offers a deeper exploration of previously touched-on themes of Darnielle’s lapsing Catholicism, they are exactly the professed, complex narratives the band offers to those who take the time to listen.

It must also be said that the characters in these songs are always channeled at an arm’s distance and that they are rarely completely good people from the perspective of the storyteller. The drug-riddled, desperate men and women of previous releases are speaking, but they are also seen through a glass darkly.

Biblical lore is treated no differently, though tracks like “Genesis 30:3″ and “Romans 10:9″ are more straightforward expressions of faith.

So, The Mountain Goats could be a Christian band and this album could be an album from a Christian band, but it doesn’t matter. The album is emotional, powerful and interesting enough for a casual listen. It is cohesive enough for an album, but it’s more about the stories in the songs than the music itself. It is the latest in a library but strong enough in its themes to support itself.

VERDICT: “The Life of the World to Come” works from seemingly obscure references and situations to build toward moments we all share as humans. Because that is a talent many people don’t possess, it’s worth your time.

- Ryan Brooks

RELIENT K
Forget and Not Slow Down

Resentment doesn’t have to reign after a breakup. Alternative punk rock band Relient K shows this on their latest release “Forget and Not Slow Down.”

Centering around a fallen relationship, “Forget and Not Slow Down” is Relient K’s fourth record in three years, following “The Bird and the Bee Sides” (2008) and “Five Score And Seven Years Ago” (2007).

“Five Score and Seven Years Ago” can be interpreted to be about finding someone and the excitement that comes with a new relationship. “The Bird and the Bee Sides” is in the midst of that relationship, mentioning briefly its struggles and happy times. Both of these records varied in their subject matter, speaking about God, spiritual vulnerability and other things. “Forget and Not Slow Down” focuses on breakup.

Though the emotions of sadness and loss are evident, resentment is mostly absent. On “I Don’t Need a Soul,” lead singer Matthew Thiessen sings, “I don’t need a soul to hold/ Without you I’m still whole/ You and life remain beautiful.” Thiessen’s voice remains calm even amidst heavy background drums.

The process of removing a love from one’s mind is heavily catalogued – hence, the title of the album. “Over It” shows a little hope that the relationship will continue but also shows the realization that moving on is what’s best: “I don’t know if it’s over just yet/ But I won’t go slow/ And time can let the mind forget.” This is one of the more sonically pleasing songs on the album.

“(If You Want It),” with its quick piano chords and vacillating melodies, hints a little at resentment, a common natural response: “I met the devil and I stared her in the eyes/ Her hair had scales like silver serpents.” It’s alluded to throughout the song and album that Thiessen wasn’t the one doing the breaking up. In this, he attends to his self-esteem sufficiently: “I’ve been convincing myself/ That I’m worthwhile/ Because I’m worth what I’ll convince myself to be.”

Though his nightmare became reality, Thiessen keeps his head. He remembers it’s not the end of the world just because he broke up with his lady. In his own words, “Perspective is a lovely hand to hold.”

VERDICT: Though dealing with subject matter similar to a cloudy day, “Forget and Not Slow Down” has the feel of sunshine and contentment. Veteran group Relient K delivers yet another pleasing record, filled with creative lyrics and potent sounds.

- Tyrone Rivers