Name: All Hail West Texas
Brand: Merge Records
SKU: 35273398
Price: 16.25 USD
Availability: InStock

All Hail West Texas

Rating

Album: All Hail West Texas
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton	More Info...
2)	Fall of the Star High School Running Back	More Info...
3)	Color in Your Cheeks	More Info...
4)	Jenny	More Info...
5)	Fault Lines	More Info...
6)	Balance	More Info...
7)	Pink and Blue	More Info...
8)	Riches and Wonders	More Info...
9)	The Mess Inside	More Info...
10)	Jeff Davis County Blues	More Info...
11)	Distant Stations	More Info...
12)	Blues in Dallas	More Info...
13)	Source Decay	More Info...
14)	Absolute Lithops Effect	More Info...
15)	Hardpan Song	More Info...
16)	Answering the Phone	More Info...
17)	Indonesia	More Info...
18)	Midland	More Info...
19)	Jenny	More Info...
20)	Tape Travel Is Lonely	More Info...
21)	Waco	More Info...

Album: All Hail West Texas
#	Song Title		Time
1)	The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton	More Info...
2)	Fall of the Star High School Running Back	More Info...
3)	Color in Your Cheeks	More Info...
4)	Jenny	More Info...
5)	Fault Lines	More Info...
6)	Balance	More Info...
7)	Pink and Blue	More Info...
8)	Riches and Wonders	More Info...
9)	The Mess Inside	More Info...
10)	Jeff Davis County Blues	More Info...
11)	Distant Stations	More Info...
12)	Blues in Dallas	More Info...
13)	Source Decay	More Info...
14)	Absolute Lithops Effect	More Info...
15)	Hardpan Song	More Info...
16)	Answering the Phone	More Info...
17)	Indonesia	More Info...
18)	Midland	More Info...
19)	Jenny	More Info...
20)	Tape Travel Is Lonely	More Info...
21)	Waco	More Info...

Performer Notes

Mountain Goats: John Darnielle (vocals, guitar).
Complex, awe-inspiring, and fresh with fretwork excitement, John Darnielle steps up to the mike with guitar in hand, revealing sentimental and emotionally charged acoustic gems. Leader of the Mountain Goats, Darnielle didn't hide any sense of creativity while composing the material for this record. All Hail West Texas has juicy bits and pieces of melodic tapestry, with a forceful percussive background statement keeping the music afloat. Perhaps what most often reveal themselves during this lush and stylistically complex endeavor are the mature and naturally contemplative lyrics that Darnielle has been able to put together in his songs. Highlights such as "Riches and Wonders" and "Distant Stations" jump at the chance to grab the listener. Other tunes that break through indie-level barriers are the eclectic "Fall of the Star High School Running Back" and the original "The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton." The textured feel of the variety of sounds and notes created by the Mountain Goats is appealing and gripping, a foray into sounds chilling and pristine. The delivery of the lyrics is wondrous and breathtaking during certain moments. The band's instrumental ability possesses dexterous flair, and the result is the charm of the record's immediacy and absorbing emotional impact. The tragic weakness of All Hail West Texas is perhaps its need for persistent listening in order to understand the direction of the music. However, maybe that just proves to be the magic key, and the route to further appreciation of this particular period of the Mountain Goats' music. ~ Shawn M. Haney

Professional Reviews

Magnet (6-7/02, p.99) - "...Boombox-recorded dramas demo-rifficly taut, sung and played close to the bone..."