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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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The Sunset Tree
by The Mountain Goats
John Darnielle recorded this 13-track Mountain Goats disc with the help of musicians John Vanderslice, Peter Hughes, Franklin Bruno and Scott Solter.
| LABEL: |
4AD |
| RELEASE DATE: |
26 April 2005 |
| DISCS: |
1 disc |
| GENRE(S): |
Indie, Rock |
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.
90
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]
90
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.
90
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.
90
Delusions of Adequacy
While the material is at times uncomfortable and discomfiting, one can't help but be fascinated - and a little touched.
89
cokemachineglow
That’s the first thing that’s striking about The Sunset Tree: the arrangements on this record are spectacular.
86
Filter
Darnielle has not lost his talent for storytelling. [#15, p.99]
83
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]
82
ShakingThrough.net
Sunset Tree is Darnielle’s finest hour.
80
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.
80
Blender
These surging, wordy confessionals are sometimes redemptive but never maudlin. [May 2005, p.121]
80
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.
80
Splendid
The Sunset Tree feels like Darnielle's most personal record to date, and it's certainly his most immediately accessible, musically speaking.
80
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.
80
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.
80
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]
80
Junkmedia
The Sunset Tree may just be The Mountain Goats's most poetic, coherent work.
80
No Ripcord
There’s so much here to enjoy, we can tolerate the occasional lyrical overreach.
80
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.
80
Trouser Press
Cathartic and essential.
75
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]
75
Lost At Sea
The Mountain Goats find a way to bounce back from the psychiatrist-worthy lyrics with strong, vibrant but subtly crafted compositions.
72
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.
70
Mojo
Not exactly a comfortable listen, but Darnielle's candour can't be faulted. [Jun 2005, p.109]
70
Rolling Stone
Digs into childhood trauma with all the acoustic verve and wit you expect from this guy.
70
Under The Radar
An album where even the lesser songs contain at least one exceptional moment. [#10, p.116]
70
Magnet
The Sunset Tree can be bleak, but it's also redemptive. [#68, p.104]
60
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]
The average user rating for this album is 9.4 (out of 10) based on 20 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
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