sweet and delicate and, yes, soft. listens like a warm hug, or a bus stop shelter when it's raining, or a cup of tea at 2 in the morning. sometimes you just need the softies.
takes me somewhere specific and nearly tangible, obviously alien and aquatic. intricate and contemplative, never losing interest. there is so... much... texture here. (this is a good thing.)
the soundtrack to the last breaths of an angsty but saccharine summer, poppy and sweet but not lacking teeth... in other words, i found this one just when i needed it.
hard to pick favorites among mitch's body of work, but this is some of the best imo. gritty, raw, unpolished enough to cut deep. still powerful, even now.
special, heartfelt, and honest. there's songwriting magic at work here. every time i listen, i have to listen to the whole thing. my favorite mountain goats record.
the way tmg continually evolve their sound and find fresh ways of making music is inspiring. masters of the concept album! all bangers here, as one might expect.
sometimes making shitty music is a good thing. it took me a few listens to warm up to this unpolished adolescent sound, but there's value to be found not despite but within it.
a perfect snapshot of a period in one person's life that carries resounding truths for so many of us. these songs were formative listening. this really did need to be revisited, though, and these cleaner and more mature instrumentals do the songwriting a great service.