Unfortunately, too many people have passed on the Mountain Goats' extensive discography - 16 albums in total. The band is led by John Darnielle, who began recording lo-fi acoustic songs in 1991, and has released new material every year since 2000, putting him up there with Ryan Adams and Lil' Wayne among prolific artists. After hearing Darnielle's nasally stuttering voice and complete power over his guitar, it's necessary to re-explore their work in an attempt to place Heretic Pride in context. The latest album is a collection of the artist's most typical work, making it a perfect entry into the band's world for any rookie. However, though it may be their typical work, it is anything but ordinary.
Darnielle's imaginative short stories and narratives that run through Heretic Pride are filled with the most specific and inventive details. In one of the Mountain Goats' most straight-forward rock songs, "Lovecraft In Brooklyn," Darnielle croons, "Some kid in a Marcus Allen jersey asks me for a cigarette." These seemingly insignificant details make the listener feel completely consumed in the image. Without a dud in sight, the album glides from the country-influenced leadoff single, "Sax Rohmer #1," to the grand, drum-heavy closer "Michael Myers Resplendent." The most immediately beautiful song on the album is "San Bernardino," filled with luscious strings and carefully selected picturesque lyrics about two lovers visiting the southern California city. Though Heretic Pride gets its release so early on in this young year, its brilliance will not fade away by the time 2008 reaches its close. The next time we see this album it will be popping up on critics' year-end lists.
