Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1

[mollielie]

wow the mountain goats are so amazing and also sherlock

[xXnoatjeeeXx]

Legit tears

[lookingformybluebox]

Reichenbach+The Mountain Goats = ALL THE FEELS!

[ACadaver]

the mountain gats

[Israe5l]

Its very well crafted. Also reminds me of the REM's "end of the world" video. But then why?

[geoffreys78]

the lead singer looks like Steve Carrol

[raggamuffins13]

2:12-made my day.

[trinchy100]

These guys are opening up for Bright Eyes on Wednesday, can't wait!

[HotRussianNipple]

Nerdy music. I LIKE IT

[chasehstokes]

so i cant seem to stop listening to this song XD

[slaterw2]

sooo good, u guys are gunna headline one day!!!!

[peanutfoot]

@slaterw2 They headline more often than not.

[slaterw2]

sooo good, u guys are gunna headline one day!!!!

[slaterw2]

too goodd, u guys are gunna be headlining soon x

[PeekingNoodleBoy]

@slaterw2 already are.

[daddyrich30]

this is neat

[defuzzzification]

I don't understand why people act like music has to be complex to be great. If you can do something wonderful with four chords, I'd say you're much better than someone who has to add all kinds of extra "stuff" in an effort to be impressive. I think the whole point of the Mountain Goats is to strip away the unnecessary, vain attempts at so called "beauty" to reach something true. And ironically, it ends up being beautiful in its own right (at least in my opinion).

[forgottencitizen]

@defuzzzification I never said it had to be complex to be good. Nobody saw the original post that I was replying to that acted like these guys were some sort of musical visionaries that nobody could live up to. They may be good but that's simply bullshit.

[arbeitsscheuer]

Exceptional video for an exceptional song... if you cannot grasp the creative ingenuity of this then I genuinely feel sorry for you

[Mulekeep]

Watching this video makes me really dizzy, but the song is just so great that I feel bad for turning away from what they wanted me to see.

[xUnbreakable89x]

This video is gay and overly indie. The song is dope tho.

[Fentoman]

@xUnbreakable89x 1. How can a video have a sexuality?

2. When you make the acusation that a video is 'overly indie' you must back it up.

3. The song is good. Not 'dope', 'dope' makes no sense because a song can't be a drug.

[xUnbreakable89x]

@Fentoman

Faggot indie kid right here.

[Fentoman]

@xUnbreakable89x Again here we go saying ones sexuality is an insult, I'm not gay just so you know but that isn't the point. You're such a little key board warrior. SO without resorting to childish name calling, I'll say this:

If you knew me I'm the the kind of person one would lable indie. Id now like you to reply WITHOUT bring sexuality into the argument :) DFTBA

[xUnbreakable89x]

@Fentoman

Not reading that, your still gay.

[Fentoman]

@xUnbreakable89x Wow, your insult was not only not insulting but it was factually and gramatically incorrect. FOR FUCK SAKE IT'S YOU'RE NOT YOUR!!!

[WalkingStory]

I can't imagine the amount of time it took to film this, and to get the shots looking so good and clean.

Pure genius video for a pure genius song

[mervellious]

9 people don't like real music

[thechangegame]

9 people can't appreciate pure genius.

[kendroid]

2:12 YEAH-HA-HA! :) Love the crazy face.

[aachelabelaaron]

NINE AGAINST REASON...lol

[felkrop]

Oooo, big deal, you turn amazing prose into amazing song, so what, John Darnielle? ... Nah, just kidding. Best lyrics in the biz. Stirring vocals. Fuck. Yes.

[blondegeekx]

Love them :).

[ShinobinoMono2469]

This video blows my mind away more and more each time I see it.

[ScrewThePlan]

Thumbs up if zodiac signs, the pull from a full moon, and the path of the ninja brought you here!

[kewlpeepsnowman]

thumbs up if John Green brought you here!

[WhatsHisFace042]

@kewlpeepsnowman i see your not the only one who finished "paper towns".

[defyingdarwin]

its like a country placebo.

[ratm81382]

this video is so amazing the camera work is so awesome very orignal this band was just introduced to me and this video was the first thing i saw by them GREATNESS

[ferret12]

I was all 2:13 when I first heard this.

[xxstebxx]

Such a good song! One of my favorites!!!

[OutlawGrrl]

Listening to The Mountain Goats is like diving into a freezing pool and feeling the water rush over you all at once. 

[Stoodabaker]

2:11 greatest face ever...

[christinacouling]

Holy fuck, I love these guys.

[Kruegalfang]

"And a rabbit gives up somewhere

and a dozen hawks descend

every moment leads toward its own sad end"

Chills every time, John Darnielle is a lyrical wizard.

[MrSmorel1425]

Why arent these guys more famous

[shaegse]

holy shit this is fuckin gay as fuck

[superyu7]

@shaegse do you still listen to emo music? It is time to move on to real music bud, need to learn about how lyrics are supposed to be produced.

[shaegse]

@superyu7 to each his own.

[superyu7]

@shaegse touche

[Justwosweet]

Best song you've never heard

[impr3ssion]

You guys inspire me and everything I work on. Thank you.

[shenora1116]

Great video. Greater songwriting.

[felkrop]

Um... John Darnielle for Poet Laureate?

[haircut74]

@MaleficentAmbition have you heard john's song "the day the aliens came"? it gives some insight on the whole alien attack scenario.

[Plaguedmarionette]

is this band religious? i hope not, because i hate religion but i love the mountain goats, i dont want to be caught between a great love and a great hate

[JerryKarfunkel]

@Plaguedmarionette It is possible for a band to be religious without being preachy, I think that's what I hate. That being said, John is a very devout Catholic? I think, the exact detail escapes me, but his music and lyrics are heavily influences by his religion (especially the last album) but he's far from preachy. Give the album, "The Life of the World to Come" a try. I think you'll find the religious presence isn't a issue.

[haircut74]

@JerryKarfunkel is he still? because i watched a video in which he spoke of a time during his youth at which he said he was a devout catholic. i just wonder why he would have phrased it that way if he still is.

[JerryKarfunkel]

@haircut74 You know, I would have to wager that he probably still is, given the subject matter of his last album. He still has the virgin mary on his guitar strap. Honestly, though, I don't know. Who knows why he phrases things the way he does. I'm sure if John had given up on Catholicism and embraced something else, or nothing at all, he would make it known.

[haircut74]

@JerryKarfunkel yeah, his latest album does seem to point in that direction, eh? another thing, though, is that not many christians i'm aware of would be comfortable belting out "hail satan" so wholeheartedly, even ironically (or however, exactly, it was meant in the song). then again, jd does transcend most groups of people that he can be included in.

[forgottencitizen]

@Plaguedmarionette Who cares if it's religious if you like the music? I think mewithoutYou is the shit. They're religious, but I'm pretty much anti-religion. They could sing about slaughtering babies for all I care as long as the music's good.

[Plaguedmarionette]

@forgottencitizen i guess your right man but i would still like to know

[boooonggoo420]

@forgottencitizen Your music fucking sucks bro.

[forgottencitizen]

@boooonggoo420 Sorry you feel that way. I'd like to hear your music some time.

[gakathon]

@TheNorCalGuy, re: "not being able to write"

There are oh-so-many musicians that can play oh-so-many notes. Painfully few can write something that actually MEANS something.

I am of that former lot...and trust me...I kick daily...hard.

[audiovision]

wow such a work of art that music video

[kristinplusuke]

THIS is music. pure emotion in every beat.

[Deathserpent2]

Is this one-take?

[plazmamonkrylord]

Yay for songs that have words that actually make sense instead of just rhyme and make you think of sex.

[doodly4]

@plazmamonkrylord John Darnielle ALWAYS makes me think of sex.

[LauraGarciaCervantes]

@doodly4 john darnielle IS sex.

[CoFMinion]

This is why I hate America (even though I live here). Musicians like this don't get near enough credit that they diserve, while people with no musical talent whatsoever make it because they're good looking or have a catchy tune. It seems that lyrics only matter to the few of us anymore...

[JerryKarfunkel]

@CoFMinion I agree, but at the same time it's nice that John has been able to retain such a small spotlight. Have you ever been to a Mountain Goats show? The first time I saw him I sat on the edge of the stage the entire performance. Try doing that with a "popular" band. tMG shows are intimate, energetic, and comfortable. But it would be cool to be in a room with 4000 other Mountain Goats fans, still, I prefer the small personal shows.

[haircut74]

@JerryKarfunkel i saw them for the first time at FYF just a month or two ago. there was a relatively large audience at the stage when they played, though it was a big festival with a buttload of other bands, which would have contributed to the number.

[JerryKarfunkel]

@haircut74 Probably, he is gaining popularity, though. If you ever get the chance to see a show with just the Mountain Goats, take it. It's a one of a kind experience, something you never forget. I remember the first time I saw him he was having vocal trouble and somebody in the back requested Oceanographer's Choice and John, self concious of his weakened vocal chords, thought the guy yelled "I hope you lose your voice!" John was about to chew the guy out, as only he could. It was a grand time.

[haircut74]

@JerryKarfunkel and yeah, the videos i've seen of the small shows make it look like the most amazing thing in the world. i will definitely not be passing up that chance if it ever arises.

[pestilentfrost]

One of the most underrated bands and videos

[goingtoscotland]

i love john

[nabrazine]

how the FUCK does this only have 94,000 views? thats a crime

[TheNorCalGuy]

This is the kind of song, that makes other musicians and artist's kick themselves for not being able to write.

[forgottencitizen]

@TheNorCalGuy Just heard this for the first time....

And I must say...

Yeah, I'm sure all the other musicians and artists of the world are kicking themselves because they can't play 4 chords.

Just sayin. -_-;;

[jmbovable]

@forgottencitizen Can I get the link to your awesome songs? TheNorCalGuy said "write", not play 4 chords...As in - his songs are better written then yours.

[forgottencitizen]

@jmbovable Usually musicians write MUSIC. He didn't say anything about lyrics. I know it's really hard to CLICK ON MY NAME and listen to my music before being a complete jackass, but I guess I'll humor you.>>>FORGOTTENCITIZEN[dot]CO­M

I'm sure you'll be a dick and say my music sucks anyway, but that's just like, your opinion, man. Anyone can pay four chords. All I was saying is I'm not kicking myself to be like these dorks.

[jmbovable]

@forgottencitizen Music is not just a couple of samples on your synth. The original point being made is that darnielle is a damn good lyricist, and I guarantee you that if you could write like him you wouldn't need to put pantyhose on your head.

[forgottencitizen]

@jmbovable LOL...a couple samples on my synth. Music isn't just 4 chords, either. Some of my earlier songs are simplified, yes. I don't have an entire band, I _compose_ music.

But really, you're not even making any sense here. If you're talking about lyrical talent, then critique my lyrics, not my music. And pantyhose on my head...good one. Forgive me for wanting people to listen to the music instead of just watching a musician. Sorry that I'm not in it for popularity. Go listen to Gaga.

[forgottencitizen]

@jmbovable Actually, wait a second. Didn't mean to stoop to your level. I never said this wasn't music. Music is subjective. Music is defined as the art or science of combining vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. This certainly is music. So is mine. ALL I'M SAYING is that there's no reason other musicians should fucking grovel at these guys feet, because they're nothing special. Hipster bands are a dime a dozen.

[hattttts]

@forgottencitizen I checked your stuff out, and you're at least half right. This certainly is music. Yours, though.....debatable. Hmm.

[forgottencitizen]

@hattttts Admittedly I'm not very satisfied with my last album, didn't put enough time and thought into it. But it doesn't matter because even if I was rivaling nine inch nails, people who are listening to this crappy song still wouldn't like my music. There comes a point when you've listened to so many 4-chord songs that that's all you find appealing anymore.

[hattttts]

@forgottencitizen I'm sorry, that was rash and wasn't a very appropriate thing for me to say. We all have different tastes, and I'll definitely agree that I don't listen to the Mountain Goats for their musical complexity. Props to you my man for getting out there and pursuing what interests you. Keep at it!

[forgottencitizen]

@hattttts Finally, comment on youtube that was written as if another human being would be reading it. Props for being able to admit your mistakes and accept other people's tastes.

[psilogen]

@forgottencitizen, dismissively characterizing The Mountain Goats as a dime-a-dozen hipster band based on one video from the late period of Darnielle's, like, two-decade career is pretty flippant. His back catalog is Joyce-level crammed with literary-grade songwriting. If you're gonna throw the lyrical baby out with the four-chord bathwater, I'll just go ahead and say that gratuitous autotune is way more base and offputting than a million v-neck cardigans, and your self-promotion here is tacky.

[psilogen]

My question is whether you actually think you had something worthwhile to contribute to the shared experience of this youtube video, or if you knew all along that your true intention was just to stir shit until the right opportunity came along to advertise your unlistenable darkpop/ebm/whatever URL on us. (this coming from someone who still legitimately enjoys Covenant and early/mid-career VNV Nation and who will not write off a band because of its choice of instrumentation or visual aesthetic)

[forgottencitizen]

@psilogen Luckily I don't use auto-tune anymore so your point is officially moot. Yay.

[defuzzzification]

@jmbovable You're my hero!!!! Seriously. I love you.

[pr0kris]

@TheNorCalGuy

Four chords.

[uzername91PUNx]

2:14 best face ever :)

[woodystrength]

that was dope

[lundsalenko]

this is one of the best clips I have ever seen

[emmakfuller]

hey BLACKSMITH its julie. I lied about my name! if you see this, its me saying hello!

[wkcr]

Lyrics+video:brilliant

[VotePalpatine]

more music should be like this

[donuthater]

@VotePalpatine ~ There's a ton of music of this quality out there but, just like the Mountain Goats, hardly anyone listens to it. Music isn't marketed in the US. Pop Culture is.

[mickeym3773]

:50

There's something sooo depressing about that image.

[Rationalization]

How can you compare Coulton with Danielle? They both aproach topics in different ways. I love them both.

[Vadalez8]

I deliver pizzas for Pizza Hut and every night the mountain goats are the only band with a cd worthy of my ear! lol Amazing band!

[cannibalcow24]

vadalez8, you're comment makes me smile. thank you.

[Turtleproof]

It's like the theme song to Pictures For Sad Children. I read the lyrics first and did not expect this song to be upbeat. Great song, amazing lyrics.

[suchducks]

if you really did just make that connection then i think we should be best friends.

[ska2808]

This video's great!

[kirky67]

Wonderfully inventive. And it's great to see a video as exciting as the song it represents for a change.

[VillageProject]

usually the maximum number of times i can listen to a song in a row is 3, but oh well...

*click to listen for the 6th time in a row*

[JuniorT]

Brilliant song, with an absolutely fantastic video.

[Blake223]

The Mountain Goats were on the Colbert Report?

[cherryberry369]

i love the song and the vid but it makes me dizzy

[electrifymymind2]

The singer reminds me of a more aggressive Colin Meloy (singer of The Decemberists, for those who don't know).

[cosbine]

@electrifymymind2 I can see that. Darnielle has been around waaay before the Decemberists. He started out a full eight years before they did and he wasn't nearly as aggressive in the early years.

[Moonsidewalker]

they did a nice job on the colbert report.

[ThomasStillbranch]

do you know where i can find video?

[Moonsidewalker]

I think you can find the whole episode on colbert's website.

[ThomasStillbranch]

oh that's right, thanks

[JAPrice91]

2:13 , gotta love it

[bobcatbill]

This video is amazing! It's exactly what ever film maker wants to do. Create Art out of life! Beautiful! Especially the words written. It does more what other videos have tried in the past. To bring poetry, and song, and image closer together.

Congrats to all the crew working on it! This is one of those treasures that only the people who made it, or know it, know how absolutely amazing it is!

Pure Poetry!!!

[LilTortillaBoy420]

well said

[LilTortillaBoy420]

I dont know who any of those people are jus bob dylan, maybe ill look em up.

[Coulterbenites]

ya it is

[bboooppeerr]

this music video must have taken a very long because they had to write all those words.

the video is awesome

[WoodsyMountainGoat]

there seems to be a bit of john better bob better thing happening on some of these videos, i hold them even

[Benindeed442]

The lyrics that the Mountain Goats produce are second to none

[blithium]

They're second to one.

Bob Dylan.

Other than him, they're the best.

[mascbp10]

Well, second to two actually. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. Either way, John Darnielle is a genius.

[blithium]

I'm split on Leonard Cohen. He's a brilliant lyricist, but he tries to make people laugh more than get a message across. Nothing wrong with that, I love him. I think John is a better songwriter, though. I'm actually learning how to play The Future Soon on my guitar.

[cosbine]

I used to like Jonathan Coulton but now something about his music just pisses me off.

Maybe it's because his music is too clean. I have to be in a very specific mood to tolerate Coulton. But at least some small ups belong to him for turning me onto Cohen with his cover of Famous Blue Raincoat.

Either way I totally agree with you that Darnielle beats Coulton as a songwriter.

I might even say hands down but that could be my totally inexplicable and unfair hatred of Coulton seeping through.

[blithium]

My previous comment is completely useless because I mixed up Leonard Cohen and Jonathan Coulton. Oops :P

Yeah, Leonard Cohen is pretty good, but he's still below John Darnielle.

[mascbp10]

Haha. I love JoCo.

[plopnod]

These guys sound like a cross between They might be giants and the violent femmes.Maybe they should be called Violent giants.Oh well enough of this I'd better go feed the cats

[3stringovation]

Yes I hear a little TMBG and a little (less) the Femmes, and the painful sincerity and honesty of the Flaming Lips... Whatever! These guys are great. Brilliant song, brilliant lyrics, brilliant video production. Epic Win.

[greedymuppet]

My God, these guys are brilliant. I haven't yet quite gotten into their music, but their performances are outstanding and reason enough to go see them live. My favorite part of this video is at 1:07 when "on both sides" is said and the doors are opened. I'm sure the song is saying "I'm going to defy my fate and make it back to you despite the odds against me."

[blithium]

Sorry to burst your great intellectual bubble, but John Darnielle actually said that he "just threw lyrics together and hoped they stuck" in this song. xD

That may possibly make it even better.

[greedymuppet]

Haha. That sort of crossed my mind, too! But, even so, the way they're sung puts a lot of power behind them. Lot of great vibes in this song. Gives me a good kick start. :)

[jwish827]

Heh, at the beginning, it looked like the curtain said "The Mountain Gats"

[killingswitch]

What is the song about?

[Cycronus]

This is one of the coolest videos I've seen in many many years and a fantastic song

[herekittykitty29]

the face he makes around 2:13... when he says "yeaaah"... so funny!

[hotsnotandbogeypie]

I think hawks are actually pretty solitary as a rule

[Amzie9319]

I heard about these guys in a physiology today magazine and got curious so looked them up, and i am very happy i did.

[RPJeff]

this video is made of nothing but win.

[Staceluvschocolate]

I got this song on a podcast months ago and I love it! Just found the vid and I was very impressed=]

nice work

[yourfreebieguide]

nice vid!

[justanotheruser10]

This song is awesome.

[ZippinZappy]

I expected more than 42k views i thought it would be in the mils by now

and the song + video is amazing

[seinfeld41]

This is an amazing video, and even more amazing song, absolutely love this band!

[WelfareChrist]

I've just been listening to this song over and over again. I started listening to these guys probably 4 years ago and it was very different but this song, it rocks. Going to Georgia and No Children are my other old favorites

[Ninjical]

Heretic Pride

[jhatch420]

this video made me like music videos again. the only thing i don't understand is the band's name. i'll keep listening.

[Stiltsman]

Yeah, this video is awesome. I wish more were like this!

[CodyAllenmusic]

Lol, I think they just wanted to think of one of the most ridiculous things to name their band, and that came out.

[DryingTumbler]

very nice goats

[elthorath]

EVERY song on their album has that guitar rhythm

I WISH I COULD LIKE THEM.

[jimbot90]

glad to finally see an official mountain goats video that doesnt suck. i love the mountain goats, but their videos are usually pretty bad.

[CodyAllenmusic]

Yeah they usually are. but 'This Year' I thought was pretty good.

[pronkb000]

This couldn't REALLY have been done in one shot, could it? I think there have to be some "Rope"-like hidden cuts in there.

Not that the video, the song, and John don't rule, of course.

[lliammt]

Every time the camera does a sharp move there is a cut to a diffrent shot =]

this is such a good song and i love the mountain goats

[ClemTheTangerine]

Oh my god, this is truly amazing. I love these guys even more than I did before.

[csgeorgemanhl]

wow this vid is the fuckin shit

[iambiginside]

do u mean is fuckin shit or is THE shit cos theres a big difference

[csgeorgemanhl]

i said it is THE shit. read my comment.

[iambiginside]

i read it i just wasn't sure which you meant, seeing as you got so many thumbs down.

[mightywarriorex]

pretty awesome video. Very artistic ... plus a little bad ass blended in well ...