The Mountain Goats : Damn These Vampires

John Darnielle and his misty-eyed men return with Damn These Vampires, the first cut from the album All Eternals Deck (out March 31). Darnielle's voice is unique, but in rhythm and storytelling he reminds me of Springsteen here - the vivid images, nostalgic Americana and personal angst. There are cowboys, Trans Am cars, vampires and wild broncos in this song. And a hero crawling through the dust, on the verge of death; Darnielle eggs him on with these spare but evocative lines: "Scream when captured, arch your back, let this whole town hear your knuckles crack." Makes me shiver.