The Mountain Goats Heretic Pride LP (Vinyl)

TAS Rated 4/5 Music, 4/5 Sonics in the March 2008 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

Since signing to 4AD in 2001, the Mountain Goats have recorded four fine albums which have established them as a genuine cult phenomenon and confirmed John Darnielle's status as one of the finest lyricists of his - or any other - generation. And although the first of those albums - Tallahassee - was a song-cycle about an entirely fictional relationship, subsequent records saw Darnielle slowly but surely introducing autobiographical elements into his songs.

Long-time fans may well welcome the news that, for his new album, Darnielle has once more retreated into his imagination to conjure a suite of songs about mythical creatures, imaginary cults, slasher films and pulp fiction novelists. He's also come up with some of the most anthemic, impassioned and downright catchy songs of his career. "Sax Rohmer", "Autoclave" and "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" join a long line of joyous Mountain Goats shouters and they will doubtless have audiences raising the roof at venues around the world in the coming months.

Heretic Pride was produced by Scott Solter and John Vanderslice, and they also contributed some additional percussion and some synth. The album was recorded by Solter along with Aaron Prellwitz at Prairie Sun and was also mixed by Solter.

Musicians include old associates like Peter Hughes (bass) and Franklin Bruno (piano). Jon Wurster provides drums and the incredible Erik Friedlander plays cello.

"John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats has earned a place among the greatest songwriters of his generation." - Harp

"It's rare to come across such specific and purposeful prose in modern pop. But, alongside Bright Eyes' Conor Oberts and the Decemberists' Colin Meloy, John Darnielle is helping bring fine lyric writing back to life." - Daily News

"The Mountain Goats' John Darnielle has been one of the best songwriters of the '00s: He turns out mostly acoustic, remarkably consistent albums full of engaging, heart-rendering and often fully songs about things like failed marriages and speed freaks and liquor-store employees shooting burglars in the face." - Rolling Stone

"America's best non-hip-hop lyricist." - The New Yorker

"A cinematic songwriter, whose folk-rock tunes often center around common albeit uncomfortable situations and self-doubting characters, Darnielle has evolved from lo-fi ironist into one of today's most creative, concise lyricists... Sonically, Darnielle's nasally voice is front and center. Percussion, acoustic instruments, and piano are all exceptional on an uncluttered soundstage." - Bob Gendron, The Absolute Sound, March 2008

Features:
• Free MP3 download of entire album

Selections:
1. Sax Rohmer #1
2. San Bernardino
3. Heretic Pride
4. Autoclave
5. New Zion
6. So Desperate
7. In The Craters On The Moon
8. Lovecraft In Brooklyn
9. Tianchi Lake
10. How To Embrace A Swamp Creature
11. Marduk T-Shirt Men’s Room Incident
12. Sept 15th 1983
13. Michael Myers Resplendent