MAKE IT THROUGH THIS YEAR - A tMG LIVE COMPILATION
the Mountain Goats have a reputation for writing songs that speak to those who have experienced abuse, ostracization, addiction, violence, mental illness, and injustice. the Mountain Goats are also known for, even in their “happier” songs, not leaving their protagonists with much hope for a happy ending. this may not sound like the best quality to have in your search for songs about survival, but i argue that these kinds of narratives only make the impact of their songs more potent and effective, as i’m sure that you and i both know that despite giving it all you’ve got, things don’t always get better. life has a way of being cruel and unfair and stomping you into the ground, leaving you for dead. but the Mountain Goats have a beautiful way of expressing that even when you are being wrongfully persecuted, there is still hope. even when an angry mob is literally or metaphorically dragging you through the dirt to be burned alive at the stake, there is still joy in being alive. the Mountain Goats implore you to, even when all hope is lost, in the face of imminent death to spit blood at the camera, stare down demons, go down kicking, come back breathing, turn on (your) little record player on the floor, feel so proud to be alive. just stay alive.
Make It Through This Year is the latest spectacular live comp by my friend Emerald (psst: subscribe to her newsletter to hear about new tapes & comps!), and I like to describe it as songs to survive to: live tunes that you can sing along to triumphantly, vengefully, hopefully. It is also, in many ways, the closest to a "greatest hits" comp that she's ever made - this is perfect to throw at a friend who's been meaning to get into the band, or maybe a great jumping-off point for you to start getting into the live stuff! Not to say that it's only hits, of course, there's still some unreleased stuff and some oldies in here. But whatever other purposes it serves for you, it's exactly what it says on the tin: songs to help you make it through this year. And don't we all need that right now?
[image descriptions: front and back cover art for the comp. Both are all black and white, with all text in bold caps. The front cover is a photo of the front row of the audience at a tMG show, one person with a fist raised in triumph, two more holding on to each other, all rocking out exuberantly. The photo acts as a background to the title for the comp: "Make It Through This Year" in large white text.
The back cover has a block of text above and below a photo.
"Including all the smash hits! Heretic Pride, Song For Sasha Banks, This Year! Sax Rohmer #1, Done Bleeding, This Year! Up The Wolves, Hail Saint Sebastian, This Year! ...And much more!"
The photo is a wide head-on shot of tMG performing onstage, with several rows of the crowd visible in front of the band.
"Dedicated to any young men and women anywhere who live with people who abuse them, with the following good news: You will make it out alive. You will live to tell your story. Never lose hope." end IDs]
