The sound presented on Deck shouldn't surprise those fans who joined last decade. If you're a veteran fan of John Darnielle's early boom box recorded tunes you're probably still whining about Darnielle's favor to embrace a rock band sound. Despite forgoing lo-fi some nine years ago, Darnielle hasn't lost any of his literate charm and Deck is a testimony to this.
Musically speaking, Deck is equally likable. On "Beautiful Gas Mask," Peter Hughes offers a highly favorable bass line while Jon Wurster displays impeccable control over his drum kit as he gently taps his way in between Darnielle's words and strums allowing the song to build. The following track, "High Hawk Season," is the closest the Goats have ever come to an a cappella number and proves Darnielle is always willing to improve his musical craft. "Our Scorpion Squadron" and "Never Quite Free" are just too gorgeous not to repeat.
The songs on All Eternals Deck don't revolve around epic moments, rather day-to-day stuff, but Darnielle's ability to present these morsels as significant, reflects hope in a time when most have been shortchanged. I'm not sure I'd be able to drag myself through the night if I were preyed on by the dead, but that's exactly how some have existed in these unstable times. If this is you, The Mountain Goats are on your side.
