The Mountain Goats have made a complete lot of nice albums in a profession that stretches again a long time, they usually aren’t slowing down anytime quickly. Final 12 months, the band launched Bleed Out, an LP impressed by motion motion pictures, and it was fucking superior. In the present day, they’ve introduced plans to comply with that one with one thing that may be much more thrilling: A sequel to their beloved 2002 traditional All Hail West Texas.

All Hail West Texas was the final album that the Mountain Goats launched when the band was actually simply John Darnielle and his boombox. It’s stuffed with vivid, highly effective tales that Darnielle sketches out in a number of phrases, and it stays probably the greatest information in an enormous catalog. The brand new LP Jenny From Thebes is devoted to Jenny, the character launched within the All Hail West Texas music of the identical title. (She’s made a number of appearances on Mountain Goats songs since then.) Sonically, Jenny From Thebes stands in stark opposition to All Hail West Texas. In a press launch, Darnielle says, “If we’re going to do a sequel to a report that was recorded nearly fully on a boombox, why not do the other and make it as huge as attainable?”

The Mountain Goats recorded Jenny From Thebes with Sheryl Crow collaborator Trina Shoemaker. Bully’s Alicia Bognanno, who produced Bleed Out, performs guitar on the album, whereas Matt Douglas provides horn and string association. Matt Nathanson and the Go-Go’s’ Kathy Valentine sing backup. Lead single “Clear Slate” is a lush, expansive chug that has a beautiful Motown-style sheen working for it, and Darnielle sounds smoother than I’ve ever heard him. The lyrics paint an image of a home stuffed with vagrants. This shit guidelines!

Right here’s what Darnielle has to say for himself:

We’re proud to disclose “Clear Slate,” the primary music from our new album Jenny From Thebes. Folks prefer to hedge bets through the use of phrases like “idea album” however let’s be clear, this can be a rock opera a couple of lady named Jenny, who buys a Kawasaki to experience as far-off as she will be able to from a city she’s been carrying on her shoulders too lengthy. “Clear Slate” units the scene: That is the home Jenny rents; these are the individuals who crash there once they want a spot to remain; that is the place she’s at within the technique of turning into somebody aside from the keyholder she’s been. Produced by Trina Shoemaker! Performed by the Mountain Goats on the Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Respect to the true pirates of west Texas, nonetheless on the market on the roads: might you stay one step forward perpetually!

Beneath, take a look at “Clear Slate,” the Jenny From Thebes tracklist, and the Mountain Goats’ up coming tour dates.

TRACKLIST:
01 “Clear Slate”
02 “Floor Degree”
03 “Solely One Manner”
04 “Recent Tattoo”
05 “Cleansing Crew”
06 “Homicide At The 18th St. Storage”
07 “From The Nebraska Plant”
08 “Similar As Money”
09 “Water Tower”
10 “Jenny III”
11 “Going To Dallas”
12 “Nice Pirates”

TOUR DATES:
8/04 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
8/05 – Boston, MA @ Residents Home of Blues
8/08 – Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo
8/09 – Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Sq.
10/02 – Solana Seaside, CA @ Stomach Up Tavern
10/03 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco
10/05-06 – San Francisco, CA @ August Corridor
10/07 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
10/09 – Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
10/10 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Manufacturing unit
10/11 – Bozeman, MT @ The ELM
10/13 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
10/14 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
10/27 – Lubbock, TX @ Cactus Theater
10/28 – Dallas, TX @ Longhorn Ballroom
10/29 – Houston, TX @ Heights Theater

Jenny From Thebes is out 10/27 on Merge Information. Learn our We’ve Bought A File On You interview with John Darnielle right here.