All Eternals Deck, the newest  album from the Mountain Goats, represents an evolution from their last record, The Life of the World to Come. Their latest release is a melting pot of brilliantly worded social and political commentary, combined with an expanded instrumental repertoire.

This latest release captures the listener right off the bat with its opening track, “Damn These Vampires.” Possibly an allusion to the latest tween craze, this song also reminds the listener that, one day, this fascination will be “barely worth remembering.”  

In addition to “Damn These Vampires,” the album’s fourth song, “Age of Kings,” speaks to the desire for times past. Achingly nostalgic for a different epoch, the song’s melancholic lyrics and wistful performance evokes pleasant memories of one’s past. The inclusion of orchestral instruments, such as the violin, and the use of a slower, tango rhythm truly showcase the band’s evolution from a low-fi garage outfit to a more mature and experimental band.

Lead singer and band founder John Darnielle’s unique voice is present throughout the record, and the array of instruments builds on his clever lyrics. With more ups than downs, the Mountain Goats’ All Eternals Deck is definitely an enjoyable listen.