Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan

The 23rd album from John Darnielle and band may be their best yet. The album showcases the Mountain Goats’ distinctive storytelling paired with sprawling, cinematic compositions more typical of a Broadway rock opera. In this case, the story was inspired by a dream Darnielle had in 2023. When he awoke, he wrote “Through this fire across from Peter Balkan #dream” on his phone. From there, he simply had to devise a tale worthy of the title, which ultimately involves a shipwreck that leaves three survivors on a deserted island. The arrangements feature the usual rock instrumentation, plus synths, strings, woodwinds, harp and more. And even Lin-Manuel Miranda on backing vocals! The Mountain Goats have been based in North Carolina for more than two decades, but they started right down the road at Pitzer College in SoCal. RIYL: Bright Eyes, M. Ward or older Death Cab for Cutie.
— Francis

Highly recommended: 9, 3, 2, 8, 12, 7. No FCCs noted.

1. (4:26) Overture — Orchestral intro, setting the stage for the dramatic theatrical performances to follow. Synths, strings, piano, crashing drums, woodwinds — the works.
2. (5:06) Fishing Boat — This introduces the core narrative of three shipwrecked survivors and hints at the drama to come. Bouncy, catchy tune with tinkly piano and other keys, an intricate rhythm, flowing strings and horns in the lead break. ****
3. (3:31) Cold At Night — Bold rocker. Intricate musical layers, with a pulsing muted guitar, cracking snare drum and busy orchestra swirls underneath Darnielle’s vocals. ****
4. (3:31) Dawn Of Revelation — An anthemic rocker that features powerful guitars, tumbling drums and a searing guitar solo in the lead break.
5. (4:37) Your Bandage — A gentle, soothing folk song with piano, strings and woodwinds set to a measured beat — all in a lush soundscape.
6. (3:54) Peru — Uplifting piano ballad. Piano, strings and again, an intricate drum line.
7. (3:19) Through This Fire — Swing-y, swelling throwback of a track. Interplay between strings, horns and woodwinds. Lovely. ***
8. (4:04) Rocks In My Pockets — Strummed guitar with chime-y piano and harp. Poignant moment when one of the characters decides to surrender. ****
9. (5:10) Armies Of The Lord — Opens with driving synth notes. Layers in piano, lush strings and effects. Darnielle’s vocals soar above. A highlight! ****
10. (4:29) Your Glow — Chirping synth arpeggios, piano and woodwinds contribute to a stirring, emotional tune that takes us to the apex of the story.
11. (5:22) The Lady From Shanghai 2 — Soft, laid-back and jazzy, with a syncopated rhythm and pedal steel guitar. Strings and woodwinds mixed in.
12. (3:03) Broken To Begin With — Boisterous rock closer, where the last remaining survivor accepts his fate and ponders whether “Men of old who sailed the seas” will ever know the story of what took place. ***