Well I was just thinking as I found this forum: The Mountain Goats have really changed my life more than any other musical act really. It's just the progression of the music, the simplicity, and the bittersweet music. It's something I don't have to analyze and think deeply about, when I hear it I just feel it in my soul.
Along with other famous guitarists like Jimmy Page, Santana, Hendrix, etc...that inspired me to play the guitar, one would be surprised that I was also heavily inspired by Darnielle's style. I've never really been good with chords, but playing TMG's songs kind of gives me some...'heartfelt' incentive to learn. I love how the music can revolve around guitar so often and still feel more fufilling than most music in a studio. Someone I knew once said "The fact that All Hail West Texas was made with an old boombox and an acoustic guitar makes all of the bad music made in a studio look awful". So will Darnielle be remembered as the next Jimmy Page or Carlos Santana? No, but he inspired me to play guitar just as much if not more than any of those guitarists. And he won't be a Page, he'll be remembered as a Darnielle, so yeah, my hero. I might even try to make an ep dedicated to the band later if I keep getting better.
As far as the lyrics I've related songs like "Cao Dai Blowout" to my own mental feelings towards my father, and growing up in general. Songs like "Tallahasse", "Grendel's Mother", "Color in Your Cheeks", "Balance", "Best Death Metal Band Out of Denton", "Damn These Vampires", and "Ice Blue" have legitamately made me cry and feel like a child inside. I grew up and lived in the San Bernardino area my whole life so hearing the music in general makes it feel very personal, I mean someone who grew up in the same place as me was able to make something of their-self and spill their emotions on a plate so that I could relate to it. Even songs that aren't so emotional mystified me and impressed me with the genius of the songs themselves, like "Going to Japan", "Pure Milk", "Age of Kings", and "Azo Tle Nelli in Tlalticpac?", then there's "Mario Our Princess is in Another Castle" will never cease to amaze me at the pure amount of awesomeness.
I could go on and on, but basically The Mountain Goats have had a sort of impact on my life. I'm the biggest fan I know next to my friend who has every song memorized [or at least it feels like it at times] Despite how short my life has been the music has had an impact on me. And I don't think I'm a big fan because I have the most swag, I'm actually kind of poor so I can't afford any albums. When I do find money though I intend on buying everything. I feel guilty for not buying the music when it means this much to me, but I guess as long as I like the message and have my heart in the right place it's alright for now .-. I'd actually like to just hand the money over to Darnielle directly, I might try that someday if I'm lucky. Then I can pay him personally for the cassettes.
What kind of impact has the music had on you?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/30/2011 10:24AM by Indigo.
April 30, 2011 10:22AM | How have The Mountain Goats impacted you?