The Mountain Goats – The Sunset Tree (20th Anniversary Edition, Apricot Coloured Vinyl)

“The Sunset Tree” is The Mountain Goats’ ninth studio album, released on April 26, 2005 via 4AD. It’s a deeply personal and emotionally raw work that chronicles frontman John Darnielle’s turbulent adolescence, particularly his experience with an abusive stepfather.

Recorded in late 2004 at Prairie Sun Studios in California and produced by John Vanderslice, the album marks a turning point in Darnielle’s songwriting—moving from allegorical narratives to autobiographical confession. The songs are set in the house he grew up in, populated by memories of his mother, sister, friends, and enemies, all filtered through a lens of survival and reflection.

Tracks like “This Year,” “Dance Music,” and “Hast Thou Considered the Tetrapod” are standout moments, blending folk-rock instrumentation with lyrical precision and emotional intensity. “This Year,” with its defiant chorus—“I am going to make it through this year if it kills me”—became an anthem of resilience and one of the band’s most beloved songs.

The album received widespread critical acclaim, with The New York Times calling it “extraordinary” and The New Yorker naming Darnielle “America’s best non-hip-hop lyricist”. Its success helped introduce The Mountain Goats to a broader audience, solidifying Darnielle’s reputation as a master storyteller in indie music.

The Sunset Tree is not just a collection of songs—it’s a cathartic act of remembrance and healing, offering listeners a poignant glimpse into the pain and strength that shaped Darnielle’s life.