THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
Beat The Champ
Merge/Remote Control
Before Hulkamania ran wild and The Rock asked us all if we could smell what he was cookin’, wrestling was a different beast. In the ’60s and ’70s it was a blue collar and working class event where strongmen fought to get by, and to entertain the children and families in the building. It’s something The Mountain Goats capture perfectly in their new album, Beat The Champ.
First of all, you don’t need to be a professional wrestling fan to enjoy this album, although it certainly helps. It’s littered with terms that are certainly inside baseball. But not knowing what a heel turn is won’t affect your enjoyment of Heel Turn 2. Much like pro wrestling itself, the enjoyment comes from the action, the stories and the compelling characters that are created through John Darnielle’s incredible knack for songwriting.
This album is a return to form for The Mountain Goats, who take the concept and run with it thanks to strong instrumentation. Each song has its own distinct feel that captures its characters, but still retains that signature Mountain Goats charm.
4 stars
SPENCER SCOTT
