The Sunset Tree
by The Mountain Goats
  • Record Label: 4AD
  • Release Date: Apr 26, 2005
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 42
  3. Negative: 4 out of 42

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  1. Jared
    May 13, 2005
    10
    All I have to say is that I've loved The Mountain Goats for years, and this album is like falling for them all over again. And I quote, "Way out in Seatle a young Kurt Cobain snuck out to the greenhouse and put a bullet in his brain. Snakes in the grass below our feet rain in the clouds above. Some moments last forever...some flare out with love love love."
  2. PerryZ
    May 5, 2005
    10
    I've had this CD for all of two days and I think I have know all the lyrics already. This isn't the best Mountain Goats release ever, but it still deserves a 10/10, while many of his other works are simply unrateable. It is intensely autobiographical and the lyrics flow off John Darnielle's tongue in a much more rythmic manner than in his earlier work. His imagery is I've had this CD for all of two days and I think I have know all the lyrics already. This isn't the best Mountain Goats release ever, but it still deserves a 10/10, while many of his other works are simply unrateable. It is intensely autobiographical and the lyrics flow off John Darnielle's tongue in a much more rythmic manner than in his earlier work. His imagery is fantastic as always. This may be the most consistent album he's released, and the easiest to follow.… Expand
  3. VJay
    May 6, 2005
    10
    I do not give 10's easily but this album is so moving and funny and beautiful...there you have it. 10!
  4. saram
    Feb 12, 2006
    10
    No other score possible
  5. ChristianW
    Aug 24, 2006
    9
    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 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.… Collapse
  6. RobB
    May 22, 2005
    8
    This album has grown on me. At times, it sounds like a broadway show soundtrack, but overall, it's an endearing, honest and fun album. The production touches are minimal, but perfect. John Darnielle's voice is addictive. At first, I wasn't sure it was my tasted, but it sure has grown on me. His heartfelt lyrics are deliveredn rapidly in a mix between talking and singing. This album has grown on me. At times, it sounds like a broadway show soundtrack, but overall, it's an endearing, honest and fun album. The production touches are minimal, but perfect. John Darnielle's voice is addictive. At first, I wasn't sure it was my tasted, but it sure has grown on me. His heartfelt lyrics are deliveredn rapidly in a mix between talking and singing. It's convinced me to seek out his live show when it comes to town in June and shell out another $10 on top of the CD purchase. Highlights of the album are This Year, Dance Music. A couple of fillers, but the 13 tracks taken together deliver a real memorable listening experience.… Expand
  7. WayneB
    May 25, 2005
    8
    Another lyrically potent songbook from the wonderful planet inhabited by the one and only, John Darnielle. The second consecutive release brilliantly produced by John Vanderslice (how does he get theat sound?). Buy this record!
  8. ChadS
    May 28, 2005
    8
    Talk about your idiosyncratic phrasing; "Dance Music" is pretty special. I can't stop playing it. Do you think John Danielle sounds a little like Jools Holland? I can imagine him singing "Wrong Side of the Moon" off Squeeze's "Argybargy". "Love Love Love" is the other keeper. I guess Darnelle doesn't believe in the Nick Broomfield documentary.
  9. FelixA
    Feb 26, 2006
    10
    Brilliant. Simply Brilliant. One of the most touching albums I have ever listened to.
  10. ScottH
    Aug 23, 2006
    10
    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.
  11. [Anonymous]
    May 28, 2005
    9
    This is an unbelievably intimate piece of art. Genius at work...!
  12. CThomas
    Jan 12, 2006
    9
    I don't know why this didn't end up on the "best of '05" lists I've seen.
  13. TonyR
    Dec 14, 2007
    10
    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.
  14. db0928
    Oct 15, 2010
    8
    I am a huge, huge mountain goats fan; with that being said, this is actually one of my least favorite Mountain Goats albums. But, that doesn't change the fact that it's a mountain goats album, which means that even if its lackluster in comparison to, say, All Hail West Texas or We Shall All be Healed, it's still phenomenal; "Dance Music", "Broom People", "This Year", and "Hast ThouI am a huge, huge mountain goats fan; with that being said, this is actually one of my least favorite Mountain Goats albums. But, that doesn't change the fact that it's a mountain goats album, which means that even if its lackluster in comparison to, say, All Hail West Texas or We Shall All be Healed, it's still phenomenal; "Dance Music", "Broom People", "This Year", and "Hast Thou Considered the Tetrapod" are all standout tracks. This is a heart-wrenchingly intimate album, which is both its greatest strength, and one of its few minor pitfalls at times. All in all, though, a solid album in a career defined by masterpieces.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best Album of 2005
71
#71 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Neumu.net
    90
    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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  2. Spin
    83
    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]
  3. AllMusic
    90
    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.
    Read full review
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