The Mountain Goats @Billboard, Melbourne(10/12/08)

Fri 12th Dec, 2008 in Gig Reviews

First up to begin the night were local act Teeth and Tongue. They, led by singer/guitarist/keyboardist Jess Cornelius, who could best be described as possessing a PJ Havey-esque (most evident in Jess’s good vocal range and control) sound with a dollop of straight up alt rock thrown into the mix; and the band come off a lot better live with their internet tracks not quite doing proper justice. Plus it’s nice to see female lead alt guitar rock that isn’t terrible and has a dark swagger to boot. Perhaps not who one would think would support a “lo-fi” indie folk band but a good choice as they kicked the night off to a good start and provided a nice contrast between the main act. As a sidenote Teeth and Tongue apparently filled the support slot instead of the previously mentioned support act (still listed on the tickets), which was great as it led to the early audience being genuinely entertained instead of being disappointed. To finish the set Jess switched to keys and left off with Lightness to My Heart, a ballad number with her voice once again showing some nice vocal acrobatics.

After the interlude a thunderous somber string piece sounded but quickly gave way to a samba track as the much anticipated indie folk darlings The Mountain Goats took stage, sporting three-piece suits, John Darnielle wearing a bitchin’ blazer with embroided patterns which he reluctantly took off at the near-end of the night. They also have a brand new shiny drummer. The Goats got things started with Have To Explode setting the pace, with all members off the band energetic with ridiculously happy smiles plastered on their faces, and stayed like that the hold night. Between songs Darnielle released a countless number of witty antidotes and asides, with a quip about online music only really being Radiohead’s domain after Moon Over Goldsboro, a informative note about choosing song titles before lyrics demonstrated by Wizard Buys a Hat, and a life motto stating that you might as well see a horrible experience through if its two-thirds done.

Then he explained to audience members that he’d left a gap in the middle of the setlist for requests and then mentioning that he probably shouldn’t be telling them that because he’d just get a wall of requests, which the audience aptly gave. One of the problems for and artist with a seventeen-year plus career is that they’re an endless supply of favourite songs. That’s not so handy for a entertainer like Darnielle who so pleasantly wants to make his audience happily satisfied, but a definite bonus to an audience. Darnielle has an amazing natural charm that just can’t help but to break the invisible barriers between artist and audience. By the way did I mention that he compared the stage barrier to the equivalent of wearing every condom he’s had worn at once?

The band started off as a trio, when Darnielle took the bulk of requests the other members went off stage, but afterwards came back to finish of the set with a glorious rendition of This Year, complete with audience singing along in exaltation. After a minute break they returned over the roar of the chanting audience and performed three last songs, I Love You, Let’s Light Ourselves on Fire and another couple (forgive me for forgetting their names – they do have over seventeen years of material after all). For one of the songs John left his guitar and clutched the mike as he lent forward into the audience to shake hands and say a bittersweet goodbye to a satisfied.

In summary, John Darnielle is the best Black Sabbath lovin’ indie – œlo-fi’ slightly-dorky-lookin’ folk singer-songwritter ever.