All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Stylus Magazine

The Sunset Tree is one of the most volatile, affecting and coherent records he’s made yet.

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The New York Times

It may be Mr. Darnielle's best album so far (which is saying a lot) and his most straightforwardly autobiographical (which isn't saying much). [25 Apr 2005]

Neumu.net

Ultimately the album is bolstered by the risks he takes, and though it trips a bit and never quite achieves the direct vision of previous efforts, it's rewarding nonetheless, for the perspective it brings to Darnielle's body of work.

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All Music Guide

It's a gloves-off catharsis occurring in real time for the gifted singer/songwriter, and it leaves a mark on the listener as well.

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Delusions of Adequacy

While the material is at times uncomfortable and discomfiting, one can't help but be fascinated - and a little touched.

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cokemachineglow

That’s the first thing that’s striking about The Sunset Tree: the arrangements on this record are spectacular.

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Filter

Darnielle has not lost his talent for storytelling. [#15, p.99]

Spin

Darnielle's written some of the toughest and most open-souled music of his lo-fi outlet's oft-brilliant history. [May 2005, p.110]

ShakingThrough.net

Sunset Tree is Darnielle’s finest hour.

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Dusted Magazine

Clearly, John Darnielle has a life story that’s inspiring as more than just the tale of an unconventional indie rock hero. Now that he’s making his best music, I think we can all be glad that he’s finally telling it.

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Blender

These surging, wordy confessionals are sometimes redemptive but never maudlin. [May 2005, p.121]

PopMatters

The emotions on The Sunset Tree are raw. It's a testament to Darnielle's abilities that he reins in those emotions enough to create such a powerful and coherent exhibit of his internal life.

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Splendid

The Sunset Tree feels like Darnielle's most personal record to date, and it's certainly his most immediately accessible, musically speaking.

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Amazon.com

You might think that an album about child abuse would be hard to listen to, but as always, hearing Darnielle's lyrics is an honor and a privilege.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

The cleaned-up sound and aggressive posturing make The Mountain Goats sound like a youthful Bruce Springsteen backed by The Waterboys.

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Uncut

The further [Darnielle] drifts from his lo-fi allegiances and into lush studio environments, the more autobiography intersects with the dramatic storytelling which has always been the Californian's forte. [Jun 2005, p.98]

Junkmedia

The Sunset Tree may just be The Mountain Goats's most poetic, coherent work.

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No Ripcord

There’s so much here to enjoy, we can tolerate the occasional lyrical overreach.

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Tiny Mix Tapes

This is a record that only Darnielle could pull off: in the hands of a less skilled writer and vocalist, it would fall flat or grate the nerves as so much hyperemotional posturing.

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Trouser Press

Cathartic and essential.

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Entertainment Weekly

He sometimes wastes these tales on coy indie-folk, but when he cuts to the bone... the results can be extraordinary. [13 May 2005, p.89]

Lost At Sea

The Mountain Goats find a way to bounce back from the psychiatrist-worthy lyrics with strong, vibrant but subtly crafted compositions.

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Pitchfork

Oddly, at times it seems like Darnielle works more movingly and astutely when he's inventing his tales rather than partaking in personal anecdote and/or trauma.

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Mojo

Not exactly a comfortable listen, but Darnielle's candour can't be faulted. [Jun 2005, p.109]

Rolling Stone

Digs into childhood trauma with all the acoustic verve and wit you expect from this guy.

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Under The Radar

An album where even the lesser songs contain at least one exceptional moment. [#10, p.116]

Magnet

The Sunset Tree can be bleak, but it's also redemptive. [#68, p.104]

New Musical Express

If you've ever wondered what growing up in middle-class 1970s America would have been like, these deeply personal revelations are for you. [30 Apr 2005, p.64]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tony R gave it a10:
Simply goodness all around from start to finish, to talk about just one song and leave others out would be bad on my part its one of my all time favorite albums and I can only wish more people would listen to it.

Christian W gave it a9:
One of the most emotionally charged albums ive ever heard. Almost every song bar one or two towards the middle makes a real impression and some of the lyrics left me blown away when I first heard them. It also starts and ends very strongly, being bookended by three amazing songs each side. Pale Green Things almost has me weeping every time I hear it, even though I've no idea who the racehorse lover with the dodgy heart is. Song for Dennis Brown has some of the best lyrics Ive heard anywhere and Dance Music has a beautiful melody and piano riff.

Scott H gave it a10:
A record written to extricate Darnielles pain over his abusive stepfather. Remorse for his silenced mother, and how not even death can free you from everything.

Felix A gave it a10:
Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. One of the most touching albums I have ever listened to.

sara m gave it a10:
No other score possible

C Thomas gave it a9:
I don't know why this didn't end up on the "best of '05" lists I've seen.

[Anonymous] gave it a9:
This is an unbelievably intimate piece of art. Genius at work...!

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The Sunset Tree

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