The Mountain Goats have announced the release of Days, a new album arriving shortly after their previous record, Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan, which came out last November. The new album features a leading track titled “Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds.”
Album Origins and Themes
John Darnielle, the band's frontman, explained in a press release that the concept for Days originally began as Grunges, a sequel to their 2017 album Goths. The idea stemmed from a social media joke about a song titled “Contemplating Pearl Jam in the Carolina Dawn.” Darnielle noted that the songs revolve around the 70s, 80s, and 90s, focusing on the passage of time and its effects. “These songs are loosely about the accumulation of days,” he stated. Despite being mostly in major keys, Darnielle warns listeners not to be misled by the seemingly upbeat tone.
Production and Collaborators
Produced by John Congleton, Days was recorded at Sear Sound in Manhattan. The current lineup includes Matt Douglas and Jon Wurster, following bassist Peter Hughes' departure in 2024 after nearly 30 years with the band. Additional musicians contributing to the album include Rob Jost on bass and French horn, harpist Mikaela Davis, and various backing vocalists.
Tracklist and Tour Dates
- 01 Song for Layne Staley
- 02 Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds
- 03 Shallow Grave
- 04 Candlebox
- 05 Annie Haslam Imperial Phase
- 06 Crying on Eddie Nash’s Grave
- 07 Days
- 08 Best Hard Rock Albums 2013
- 09 Going to Fennario
- 10 Woodstock
- 11 Hidden Majesty of Later Venom Albums
- 12 Last Day
The Mountain Goats will also embark on a tour with dates spanning from May through December, hitting venues in North America and Europe. Notable performances include Red Rocks Amphitheatre with the Avett Brothers and Carnegie Hall in December.
For more details on the tour and album, revisit John Darnielle's tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, For the Back Street Kids, and the 2023 profile Inside John Darnielle’s Boiling Brain.
Source: https://pitchfork.com/news/the-mountain-goats-new-album-days-charlie-sheen-reaches-out-to-the-feds/
