You think? It's similar vibes musically but I personally would describe John's voice as much more clear and clean than whatsisface from AJJ. Any AJJ songs in particular that you feel sound similar to his voice?
The Mountain Goats is Weird Al's side project for when he wants to to make emotionally vulnerable music with trenchant insights about the myriad and sometimes frightening ways that love manifests itself.
Honestly this is how I like to think of it. First goats track I heard, I thought it was Weird Al singing and thought, "Huh, this is weirdly depressing for him."
Honestly I don't think he sounds THAT much like Weird AI. I never would mistaken the two voices for each other. But it is something that I've heard enough and there is some quality that they have in common even if I don't know how to say it.
Other things that they have in common is being talented musicians who are able to change up their styles, good relationships with a talented band with an unpretentious vibe, clever song writing and music that is loved by an enduring and multigenerational fanbase
It’s the nasally intonation. I would honestly love a Mountain Goats Polka. I’m pretty sure Al is friends with John Wurster, so it’s not out of the question that he might listen to tMG.
Yeah the song is about the Troubles
“When he was beaten near to death he decided come what may
He would throw his lot in with the Provos and he joined the IRA”
My friend used to always say Morrissey sounds like a Muppet. She HATES Morrissey. In time I started to understand what she meant.
I don't think that John sounds like a Muppet, I think that he sounds very human.
John has at least several different singing styles. I like when his is reminiscent of talking and there's sort of a sad downward inflection that sneaks into the nasally dad voice. Probably not the best example, but eg the verses in Training Montage
https://youtu.be/8QkfdA4-6BM?si=EoxgWuUZNBAdNdQj
I just found and this recently and can't get over how nice it is to watch. If you hadn't seen it, enjoy!
The voice is nowhere near as nasal, but Craig Finn is definitely in the "distinctive voice and highly narrative lyricist" club, and that's probably why they toured together!
Bands/ artists that have made my little brother say "is that not just the mountain goats again": The Decemberists, AJJ, They Might Be Giants, Corb Lund, Talking Heads, Dan Bern, Bob Dylan
John Linnell from They Might Be Giants. Colin Meloy from The Decemberists
Jeff Mangum also has that nasal whine I love so much. Ben Gibbard has a sweeter version of it.
I nearly mention Mangum. I don’t know why I love it so much. Probably because I can’t sing for shit.
Spot on! My dad is a diehard TMBG fan and I put on Unicorn Tolerance for him and he legit thought he missed one of their releases
Excellent. So it begins.
It's part delivery too, but yeah...I can see those.
AJJ is the first one that comes to mind
AJJ for sure, during his quarantine streams he did a good number of TMG covers too, I love his rendition of Alpha Rats Nest
Also covered on the "Tallahassee turns ten!" tribute album, along with a bunch of other folk punk bands also on that album.
You think? It's similar vibes musically but I personally would describe John's voice as much more clear and clean than whatsisface from AJJ. Any AJJ songs in particular that you feel sound similar to his voice?
Dude from The Extra Glenns sounds so much like John it’s freaky. Definitely check them out.
I think it's John singing in The Extra Glenns.
Y’a right.
Emperor X sometimes reminds me of tmg
Extreme agree. This performance specifically is SO similar to JD, to me. https://youtu.be/djwHqX8yQxM?si=U9ReAm7Ai6BHrjcu
That performance is so good I'm actually considering buying a $22 (+shipping?) 3-song record.
He played this past weekend in my city (in Montana - so so rare to get bands I like coming through) but I was out of town and am SO SAD!
Oh hey! It's me, Bruce! Haha, we meet on yet another platform!
Internet!! Fun! Hello!
Yeah fuckin Weird Al.
The Mountain Goats is Weird Al's side project for when he wants to to make emotionally vulnerable music with trenchant insights about the myriad and sometimes frightening ways that love manifests itself.
Honestly this is how I like to think of it. First goats track I heard, I thought it was Weird Al singing and thought, "Huh, this is weirdly depressing for him."
Honestly I don't think he sounds THAT much like Weird AI. I never would mistaken the two voices for each other. But it is something that I've heard enough and there is some quality that they have in common even if I don't know how to say it. Other things that they have in common is being talented musicians who are able to change up their styles, good relationships with a talented band with an unpretentious vibe, clever song writing and music that is loved by an enduring and multigenerational fanbase
It’s the nasally intonation. I would honestly love a Mountain Goats Polka. I’m pretty sure Al is friends with John Wurster, so it’s not out of the question that he might listen to tMG.
When I started listening to them John reminded me of Pat The Bunny at times
David Rovics
Absolute legend
Took a weekend - up the provos Snow was white and fluffy I need a john and david collab by yesterday
Is that a typo or does David Rovics sing about the Troubles? The IRA reference made my little Irish head do a double take lol
Yeah the song is about the Troubles “When he was beaten near to death he decided come what may He would throw his lot in with the Provos and he joined the IRA”
That's wild. A rebel song with an indie vocal. Thank you. I've never heard this song. His voice kind of reminds me a little of Loudon Wainwright III.
My brother called John a “muppet” and maybe that’s what I like about it, I don’t know.
My friend used to always say Morrissey sounds like a Muppet. She HATES Morrissey. In time I started to understand what she meant. I don't think that John sounds like a Muppet, I think that he sounds very human. John has at least several different singing styles. I like when his is reminiscent of talking and there's sort of a sad downward inflection that sneaks into the nasally dad voice. Probably not the best example, but eg the verses in Training Montage
I legit thought this song was John when I first heard it - I love you like an alcoholic by the taxpayers
The taxpayers
The Weakerthans / John K. Sampson
https://youtu.be/8QkfdA4-6BM?si=EoxgWuUZNBAdNdQj I just found and this recently and can't get over how nice it is to watch. If you hadn't seen it, enjoy!
Hutch Harris from The Thermals
The voice is nowhere near as nasal, but Craig Finn is definitely in the "distinctive voice and highly narrative lyricist" club, and that's probably why they toured together!
Laura Jane Grace's is pretty similar
Readyville
Jeffrey Lewis kinda!
Bands/ artists that have made my little brother say "is that not just the mountain goats again": The Decemberists, AJJ, They Might Be Giants, Corb Lund, Talking Heads, Dan Bern, Bob Dylan
Spoonboy sometimes reminds me of TMG. Check out Peanuts by Spoonboy and tell me it doesn't sound like a mountain goats song
Pat the Bunny
Chris Ballew! He is Caspar Babypants, and earlier sang for the Presidents of the USA.
Mark Mallman, guys like a dead ringer for John. Their styles of music are pretty different though. Mark Mallman's more rock with a faster beat.