This one is up there for sure!
921767
For any and all fans of the Mountain Goats,

After listening to this album all morning, I can honestly say that this has quickly become one of my favorite tMG's albums.  I do not think I enjoy is more than "We Shall Be Healed" or "All Hail West Texas", but it has already surpassed "Get Lonely" and "Heretic Pride", both albums that I love.  As for its place with "Tallahassee" and "The Sunset Tree", I just think that I cannot decide yet.

The album opens slowly, not quite as understated as "Wild Sage" is for an album opener, but still soft and cool.  Then we move quickly into "Psalms" which hits nicely, heavier, and still with the lyrics of John Darnielle which always echo towards a quite desperation, an overall voice of hope in a time of confusion and let-down.  The album continues this pattern of softer songs, some solo type works with just John and the piano or guitar, and a few full band rockers, but nothing nearly as hard-hitting as "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" or anything along those lines.

High Points for me:
"1 John 4:16" is simply amazing.  This songs sang directly to me.  I could not think of anything except past loves and desires, not to mention trying to look forward in these scary times of stress and loss.  Whenever John sings "I know that you thinking of me because it's just about to rain" I almost break down.  I have now listen to the track at least six times and cannot get over it.

Low Point:
So if you buy from here, you get a bonus track, but also check on the apple site because they have a different bonus track that you can download as a single.  I recommend spending the buck on that, but it is a low point because I hate to give apple my money at all and I hate when the record companies release songs like this, forcing you to go to a certain company that you may not like when all you want to do is listen to someone that you like.
Also, as for the album, I can see someone finding it a bit boring.  It reminds me in a way of "Get Lonely" in that sense.  It is slow and understating, which may turn some people away.  Give it a chance and listen to it a few times.  It might take a few passes to really start catching those John Darnielle lines.  I know every fan of tMGs has certain lines that speak to them, so give it a shot, but as for a pop album, it can be kind of slow and lacking in dynamics.

To sum up everything here: This is a 5 star album, no doubt about it, but is it for everyone?  No.  This is not an album that just anyone will enjoy, but that is the same for all of the albums from The Mountain Goats.  Also, give it a few passes before you place judgment.  If you are a fan of the lo-fi folk style, you are not going to get any of that.  If you are a fan of the "Get Lonely"/"The Sunset Tree" style, then I think you will enjoy this one for sure.  With all of the piano work on this album (by far the most of any album so far by John), a lot of the songs are in the style of the tracks from "Satanic Messiah" and "Black Pear Tree".

I hope I covered the album well enough for everyone here.  I know if you are new to tMGs, then all of these references will go right over you, but if you like what you have heard so far, trust me, you will soon know all of these songs and albums very well.  This is just another stellar piece of artwork in a long string of brilliant albums.  Get it!
4898897
Romance books are everywhere these days, and offer a wide range of subjects; you could say they're almost a glut on the marketplace. So finding a true gem with intelligence, depth, wisdom and true beauty seems rare. I almost passed on this one because the title seemed to suggest to me that this story would be a bit in the depth department. I wasn't just wrong, I was "Holy cow, that was awesome!" wrong!
The characters, plot line, and intensity level were superb. This is NOT one of those two hour novellas that leaves you with a cliff hanger and thirteen more "books" in the series which should in reality be considered one single book. This is a genuine sink-your-heart-into-it romance that will have you up way too late at night. Well worth your time!
195984
A great choice! If you want to know the latest in this category- this book has it!
2111087
I have read all available Jack Reacher stories. This one is right up there as one of the great ones.
1064958
This is one of those books that raises the bar for "five star review" so high that it almost seems unfair to other good books - it totally blows the grading curve out of the water! Other reviewers have described the stories better than I could, so I won't recap what's been said (more skillfully than I could say) before. I will say that as I read through this book, I was thinking along the lines of "Hey, this is pretty good, I think it deserves four stars"... until I read the very end. "Nails the landing" is an understatement.

I want to address potential readers who aren't familiar with the original work that inspired this one - or even familiar with Lovecraftian horror at all. To you, I say - read it. I'm entirely unfamiliar with the horror genre myself, so I can't tell how it compares with other works, but I still greatly enjoyed it.
3792502
I only discovered the music of Jim Boggia fairly recently, after purchasing "Adventures in Stereo" last year. I was very impressed with that album, so I ordered this one a few months ago too. Wow, I think this is even better! It's so good, so solid, so engaging, I dare proclaim it a power pop masterpiece. The high quality of the songwriting is impressive, and I also really like Boggia's vocals. The only thing that bewilders me is why he isn't better known in music circles. This guy is one of the better songwriters I've heard in the past decade and deserves more acclaim. If you enjoy power pop, guitar pop, or just plain good tunes with hooks galore, this album is well worth checking out.
1987160
What can I say? The title says it all. Awesome album, and a step up from the last one.
4654380
This is up there with one of my favorite Just Dance versions! I almost didn't buy it because it's not one of the "main" ones, but for me, the particular songs and choreography were amazing, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!
2196730
One of the better ones! Gone thru many. Love this one! Even if the station comes in somewhere you cant tell
2997251
This is awesome, substantial piece and I love it!
2992301
Man, this one is a home run. You will not be able to get these tunes out of your head.
3733612
I was very apprehensive about this next album release from LP, simply because the first one was spectacular and I didn't think they could equal it let alone top it. This is just as good if not better! LP kicks some serious azzz!
4583850
This is so good, the only thing that would be better is MORE!
2405196
If you liked One Second after you will enjoy the heck out of this one too!
3732911
Oh, I really liked this one!

Trust started out with the drama right away, throwing us into the convenience store hold up that will affect Edie and John's lives for years to come. Ms. Scott made me feel like I was right there with them, and phew, that scene was intense. It wasn't hard to see why a previously good student like Edie would go off the rails afterwards, at least a little bit. I loved that she stood up for what she thought was right throughout the entire book, whether it resulted in her rethinking lifelong friendships, standing up to policemen and her own mother, or confronting a teacher, this girl has reserves of strength that made me want to stand up and cheer. Or give her a hug. Or both, depending on the specific situation.

And can I just say--a character who thinks of herself as plus-sized, and really is (unlike some heroines, who are like 5 pounds over their ideal weight, cry me a river, ladies) and though she's often self-conscious about it, still manages to own it at the same time? Three cheers! (And yes, Cool Whip does have magical healing powers. It's like she read my mind there.)

John is a great character too--first for what he does in that convenience store, and then for the changes he's determined to make in his life and the way he goes through with them, despite the pushback he gets from several quarters. I loved that he wouldn't let Edie put herself down, and that he put so much effort into their relationship, both when it was just friendship and later when it was more. Loved.

Ms. Scott does a great job of dealing with some pretty big issues here--the terror of the hold-up, survivor guilt, the disastrous effects of drug abuse--they were handled realistically and not at all glamorized. There is underage drinking and teenage sex as well--I would definitely classify it as a upper-YA novel, best for high school aged readers and up.

(And can I just say, Edie's mom with the condoms? Cracked. Me. Up. OMG.)

I will definitely sign up for this author's next YA effort, no question!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
2740919
5 stars about sums it up! You can't beat this!
2439024
It would not surprise me if this CD went on to produce a number of top 10 hits.  Really, really good from top to bottom.  Young the Giant has tremendous potential, and this group of songs proves they are on their way.  STRONG vocals, melodies and good harmonies when needed - definitely an enjoyable disc to listen to at work, while driver or pop on It's About Time - if you want to get pumped up for a workout.

Congrats to YTG for such a complete effort!