Album Review: The Mountain Goats -- Beat The Champ

Over two decades and 15 albums, The Mountain Goats have managed to turn their blend of punk and indie-infused folk, intricate storytelling and knack for turning a lyrical phrase into a wide-ranging collection of sweeping epics, introverted and intimate reflections, and everything between.

But even with that massive, eclectic catalogue, an entire album devoted to professional wrestling is still bizarrely out of left field – and sounds quirky enough to elicit just the slightest concern, a concern that Beat The Champ puts to rest immediately.

There are jaunty tales of colourful characters in The Legend Of Chavo Guerro and Heel Turn 2. There’s nostalgic charm in Animal Mask. There are strangely hypnotic oddities like Fire Editorial and Stabbed To Death Outside San Juan. There’s melancholic reminiscing in Southwestern Territory and Luna. There’s even some of the acoustic punk rock this band has delivered so well over the years in Choked Out.

So yes, an entire album about professional wrestling could seem like a cheap novelty at worse, an intriguing indulgence at best. But John Darnielle is no ordinary songwriter or storyteller. John Darnielle is the kind of songwriter and storyteller who can turn professional wrestling into affecting drama, infectious fun and a whole lot more. And Beat The Champ is the kind of album that justifies record label press release puff like, “a heartbreaking and heart-reviving album about imperfect people described perfectly, with melodies that will stay with you for days.”