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Beat the Champ Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The 15th studio release for John Darnielle is a professional wrestling-themed concept album.
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Top Track

The Legend of Chavo Guerrero
Born down in El Paso, where the tumbleweeds blow, To the middleweight champ of all Mexico. Dad fought many bloody battles, and he raised four... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. 90
    This is another great Mountain Goats album. If you are a fan you probably have this already but if not, got get it asap. If you’re unfamiliar, this is as good a place as his masterwork The Sunset Tree to start, as this is like the sequel, but coming from a seemingly lighthearted place with the wrestling theme.
  2. Apr 13, 2015
    80
    A fun, but deeply human, record.
  3. Uncut
    Apr 3, 2015
    80
    John Darnielle shares Haines' nostalgic affection for the stars of Martial pantomime, and deploys his deadpan indie rock and trademark wordiness to fine effect. [May 2015, p.78]
  4. Aug 5, 2015
    80
    One of the best Mountain Goats records.
  5. Apr 7, 2015
    75
    Even though the album isn’t a total triumph, it’s well stocked with new Mountain Goats classics.
  6. Apr 7, 2015
    70
    The music is fantastically rangy, with discordant strings and jazz piano nuzzling punk-busker guitar.
  7. Apr 13, 2015
    40
    Overall Beat the Champ will no doubt prove a hit with die-hard Mountain Goats fans, however as a standalone album it lacks a coherent sound.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Apr 19, 2015
    9
    Great album. Not quite everything's a winner, but it's highlights are undeniable. This album has great song writing that goes hand in handGreat album. Not quite everything's a winner, but it's highlights are undeniable. This album has great song writing that goes hand in hand with suitably crisp and warm instrumentals to successfully create a variety of different and involving soundscapes.

    Unless you're bitter from having been stabbed in the eye with a foreign object, it's an easy recommendation.
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  2. Apr 27, 2015
    8
    Though nothing on it is incredible, Beat the Champ seems to have accomplished exactly what it meant to: it is an album full of memorable,Though nothing on it is incredible, Beat the Champ seems to have accomplished exactly what it meant to: it is an album full of memorable, straightforward indie folk rock songs with lyrics that are more complicated than the instrumentation – but not in a bad way. For a band that has been spewing out records for 20 years now, the Mountain Goats don't seem to have lost their edge. This is a must-listen album of 2015. Expand
  3. Jun 13, 2015
    8
    This album, whilst perhaps not the most exciting or rivetingly-experimental album out there, has well-written songs aplenty. The songs rumbleThis album, whilst perhaps not the most exciting or rivetingly-experimental album out there, has well-written songs aplenty. The songs rumble along nicely, brilliantly written and performed, and you don't have to think too much about them. Also, don't underestimate how difficult it is to write lyrics this good when your subject matter is limited to wrestling. Expand
  4. Aug 7, 2015
    4
    Let me begin by saying that I think our good ol' Johnny D is one of the best lyricists of our generation... and, that being said, I really andLet me begin by saying that I think our good ol' Johnny D is one of the best lyricists of our generation... and, that being said, I really and truly wanted to fall in love with this album, it's always so exciting when you learn there is a new Mountain Goats album to fall into... but, as fairest a shot I gave this album, I can't say that this one worked for me... while I typically think his music pales in comparison to his lyrics, I would say that this album greatly differs, as the music is only slightly more thoughtful than the seemingly more gratuitous words Mr. Darnielle decides to use this time... Expand

See all 5 User Reviews