In League with Dragons
by The Mountain Goats
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2019
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
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  1. Paste Magazine
    Apr 26, 2019
    93
    With 16 albums behind them, it would be easy to repeat themselves and crank out another dull routine. But Darnielle and company have more respect for their audience than that, producing an album with the potency to draw in new listeners and give thanks to those already in their company.
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    May 1, 2019
    90
    We have the most lush Mountain Goats record to date: Pallett was the perfect producer for the album.
  3. musicOMH.com
    May 20, 2019
    80
    While The Mountain Goats will always remain an acquired taste, there’s a case to put that In League With Dragons is possibly one of their most accessible albums. The collaboration with Pallett is a smart one for sure, and Darnielle has refused to let age dull his edge or mischievous eye for lyrical detail.
  5. AllMusic
    Apr 29, 2019
    80
    In League with Dragons is a quietly brilliant album that gets stronger with each spin, and the fact the Mountain Goats can generally crank out something this good every 24 to 36 months suggests Darnielle may be one of America's more important natural resources.
  6. The Guardian
    Apr 26, 2019
    80
    Musically, too, the Mountain Goats--a four-piece at the moment--are in excellent form. Darnielle’s singing is far suppler than when the Mountain Goats was him and a guitar, and he has melodies to go with it.
  7. Clash Music
    Apr 25, 2019
    80
    The most impressive thing about In League With Dragons is that it’s the 17th Mountain Goats album, and Darnielle shows no signs of running on empty. This is an album that should excite existing fans of the band. ... It also works well as a gateway for new fans as the songs are catchy, the music is well balanced and when the band hit that sweet groove its glorious.
  8. PopMatters
    Apr 25, 2019
    80
    In League with Dragons could stand conceptually as the most Mountain Goats thing ever. Given the album's smart execution of its vision and its memorable songs, that's good news in this or any world.
  9. Pitchfork
    Apr 30, 2019
    74
    In League With Dragons is light on mythical beasts; only four songs here come from the original wizard musical Darnielle was writing. Instead, he fills the record with the subjects of his own escapist fantasies. ... The record occasionally delves into the arcane, as Mountain Goats records can.
  10. Under The Radar
    May 14, 2019
    70
    It's generally a low-key record, Darnielle's trademark cadence layered over gentle, lulling tones including gorgeous piano lines ("Possum By Night," which contains the delightful refrain "Grow fat and grow old, go blind and be content"), western acoustic strum (the title track, replete with breathy backing vocals and pedal steel solo), and church organ (the rather epic chant of "Going Invisible 2").
  11. The 405
    Apr 30, 2019
    70
    Dragons has taken some getting used to. With each listen, new details emerge.
  12. No Ripcord
    Apr 30, 2019
    70
    Though Darnielle skillfully furthers his compositional approach in In League with Dragons, there are times where his unbounded, bookish wit gets the best of him.
  13. Rolling Stone
    Apr 26, 2019
    70
    Darnielle and his excellent backing band (who recorded the album at Nashville’s storied Blackbird Studios) vary the musical mood gracefully.
  14. Consequence
    Apr 25, 2019
    67
    Given the record’s stated evolution, In League with Dragons is an inevitably uneven listen; after your first time through, you’ll likely walk away hungry for a fully realized version of Darnielle’s rock opera.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. shoeletariat
    Apr 27, 2019
    10
    Phenomenally good. Easily one of the best records of their career. The fluctuation between mysticism and realism in the songwriting creates aPhenomenally good. Easily one of the best records of their career. The fluctuation between mysticism and realism in the songwriting creates a really satisfying juxtaposition of moods and ideas. There is a depth to these songs that is clearly apparent in the voicing, even if the meaning can remain elusive. The band sounds freed from the more restrictive concepts grounding 'Goths' and 'Beat the Champ'. If you never listened to the Mountain Goats before, this might be the perfect place to start. As a longtime fan, I couldn't be happier. It feels like the start of a new chapter. Or a new book, even.… Full Review »
  2. bartewing
    Aug 21, 2019
    9
    I love how the band continues to expand and explore while also staying true to their identity. This is the most "produced" MGs album and JDI love how the band continues to expand and explore while also staying true to their identity. This is the most "produced" MGs album and JD gave up a lot of control, but it all works for me, the themes are consistent despite the winding array of subjects that tell the story-which is almost every MG album. Waylon Jennings Live is a shockingly good effort at a true country song (I did have the chance to hear JD's demo from the podcast where he's gone deeper ala Waylon and it was marvelous) As usual the writing is amazing if you are an MG fan you likely are lyrically driven, but the band itself get tighter and tighter- Jon Wurster, Peter Peter Hughes and Matt Douglas all shine… Full Review »
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