One of the biggest tragedies of the Tuesday night Mountain Goats show at the Icon wasn't lead singer John Darnielle's heartbreaking lyrics about alcoholism and abuse, but the sparse turnout for such an exceptional songwriter and performer.
While the lack of audience was disconcerting, it made for a very intimate performance that enhanced the Mountain Goats' already intensely personal lyrics.
On Tuesday night, The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers, Vera and The Mountain Goats played an unforgettable show at the Buffalo Icon.
First up was local act Vera. A cross between Interpol and Joy Division, this post-punk band had the requisite black dress shirt and red tie look that Interpol adopted as their signature style.
With heavy rhythmic drumming and soft-spoken vocals, this band was certainly not out of place in the sea of Joy Division copycats currently overrunning rock.
The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers took the stage to a less-than-enthusiastic crowd.
Besides having the longest and most pretentious band name of the night, The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers contributed little else to this show. The band could clearly emulate Bright Eyes musically, but lyrically, they left much to be desired.
With song topics ranging from imaginary friends, alien abductions and Hollywood celebrities, lead singer Perry Wright's thematic preoccupation with the frivolous was a bit grating.
After a set that seemed too long for the audience's taste, The Mountain Goats' set began and the small crowd packed tightly together to get as close to the stage as possible.
The Mountain Goats consist of bassist Peter Hughes and lead vocalist John Darnielle. This sparse arrangement did nothing to hinder the impact of their powerful songs. Instead, the two musicians' talent shone through as each raw, stripped-down song was delivered with overwhelming conviction.
Darnielle commanded the crowd's attention with anecdotes between songs.
"Buffalo has a special place in my heart," Darnielle said. "I applied for a Ph.D. in the classics department at UB."
Much to the delight of his fans, he wasn't accepted, and he figured it was for the best, because otherwise, he said, the Mountain Goats would not have been formed.
The Mountain Goats boast a massive musical selection spanning over 400 songs. They played a broad selection of their music, gratifying even the most diehard fan.
One of the highlights was "Dance Music" from their newest album "The Sunset Tree." Darnielle evokes a particularly violent episode as he describes his stepfather's abusive tendencies towards his mother.
"Launches a glass across the room, straight at her head/ and I dash upstairs to take cover/ lean in close to my little record player on the floor/ so this is what the volume knob's for," Darnielle sang.
Before he played "Song for Dennis Brown," dedicated to the prolific reggae singer, he spoke of his respect for reggae music.
"It's a shame when you mention his name that, it assumes you play hacky sack and light incense," Darnielle said.
The tribute to the late singer was full of veneration.
"It took all the coke in town to bring down Dennis Brown," Darnielle sang with respect.
One reason to account for The Mountain Goats' passionate fans was the exceedingly short set, which barely clocked in at 35 minutes. Certainly leaving everyone wanting to hear much more, he took off announcing he'd be back next year.
With flashes of lyrical brilliance, charm and wit, Darnielle's capabilities as a performer made the show engaging and memorable.
Darnielle's lyrics have become more personal over time, delivering the most private accounts in his unique writing voice. As he opens up with each successive album, one can be sure his audiences will be listening intently, waiting for the next stroke of brilliance.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
