It's true that Darnielle's vocal stylings are somewhat of an acquired taste, and some yearn for him to return to his ultra-lo-fi roots. But his imperfect pitch intensifies the emotion of the lyrics, and the support of the studio band allows the music to complement his singing rather than fight to be heard alongside it. The instrumentation is sparse and perfect on every song.
I think it's against the law to talk about The Sunset Tree without mentioning that it's Darnielle's most autobiographical album ever. It just might also be his best. The upbeat tempos of "This Year" and "Dance Music" camouflage the somber lyrics detailing his attempts to escape abuse at the hands of his stepfather. The album begins with fear and thoughts of escape, and tension builds to an inevitable confrontation, but the last three songs are a catharsis of sorts. Mortality seems to be the end to all things, the escape from life and release from the grip of the dead.
Listening to The Sunset Tree in its entirety can be painful. Some albums are meant to be played loudly at parties with all of your best friends; this album is the complete opposite, meant to be listened to closely, alone in a quiet place. Each song is a gem, and together they combine to form an album that is simply amazing.
Listen:
Mountain Goats - Broom People
Mountain Goats - Dance Music
Mountain Goats - Love Love Love