Many break-up songs seek glue, adhesive for all of these pieces. The Mountain Goats have a library full of them; John Darnielle knows nothing's lonelier than pockets failing hands no longer held.
Nothing, that is, but the hands still crushing your throat. "No Children" lives just here, beneath the weight of what we once wanted.
The song feeds on anger and terror but does not breed it. If you live with either, give yourself this gift: standing at a Mountain Goats show, singing these words with strangers will sap your strength to stay suffocated. Gathered here you'll find not rabid fans but nearly patients, addicts after the giddy high of knowing no matter how hopeless you feel, you're not alone.
{Live recordings, cathartic sing-alongs in the comments}
My Trusted MOGs
No Children - Live at Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, '06
One of my very favorite live recordings of all time.
My Trusted MOGs
Excellent - had never heard of the Goats. the guys voice/guitar reminds me a little of Phil Ochs.......................
My Trusted MOGs
Score! A two-fer for "Your Daily Mountain Goats Affirmation" ...everybody wins!
My Trusted MOGs
fully inspired by the video you posted -- this was my first mg song; i heard it and thought maybe all of the stuff was this funny.
turns out, not so much. :)
My Trusted MOGs
Very nice. Expressive.
My Trusted MOGs
I had the EXACT same initial response...i heard Jenny and a couple other songs, and I left with the impression that they were almost like a novelty band, sort of...WAY OFF! They supply the heart breaking lyrical content that I crave, without the mopiness of the Smiths or the Cure!
Tonight we shall drink to the goodness that is first impressions not always being everything they are cracked up to be!
My Trusted MOGs
It's always hard to qualify "un-love" - resentment can be a word for it. A very estranged wish up here.