Even in the scheme of the
Mountain Goats back-catalogue, rife as it is with domestic violence, alcoholism
and loneliness, “The Life of the World to Come” is a heavy album. Like the
similarly weighty “Get Lonely”, its restraint belies a tumult of emotion held
at a distance. Most of the album moves slowly, especially the glacial piano
numbers like “Genesis 30:3”.

It’s an emotional experience on
record, and hardly seems like ideal material for a live show, even where the
crowd is full of hard-bitten fans. John Darnielle, however, has little time for
what an outsider might consider normal. With a shrill voice and a verbose way
with a lyric, Darnielle has earned himself a fiercely loyal fanbase over the
years without playing to the rockstar type or indulging his audience.

With a set-list drawing heavily
on “The Life of the World to Come”, Darnielle flitted between lonely keyboard
pieces and full-blooded full-band numbers, balancing force with restraint.
Achieving a sort of medium-state, Darnielle seemed to disappear into his music,
channelling the characters with uncanny elegance. “Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent
Efficacy of Grace” took on a new intensity with Darnielle hunched over his
keyboard, narrating the protagonist’s edge-of-sanity actions in an eerily even
tone.

Older favourites were scattered
amongst the new material, with the classic “Best Ever Death Metal Band in
Denton” closing the show’s second (yes, second) encore.

Sydney has always been a
welcoming host to the Mountain Goats, and tonight was no exception, the crowd reflecting
Darnielle’s energy and responding to each song like an old friend. The Mountain
Goats will likely return before too long, and we will greet them again with
open arms.