

Photo and videos by Katie Sokoler/Gothamist

The Mountain Goats have a new album, Transcendental Youth, coming out on October 2nd—and if you've heard John Darnielle's songs before then you don't need the hard sell, but here it is anyway from humorist John Hodgman. Hodgman declares the album is "VERY GOOD," and "full of songs about people who madly, stupidly, blessedly won't stop surviving, no matter who gives up on them." He adds, "if some of his songs suggest that there are real hells on earth, other songs remind that the heavens are equally close at hand."

We were lucky enough to hear Darnielle perform some of the new tracks (and classics) right in front of us in late July. Here they are, filmed on the Florida Keys recording studio's rooftop in Ridgewood, Queens.

"No Children"



"Harlem Roulette"



"Cry For Judas"



"Raja Vocative"



The Mountain Goats are about to embark on a tour—here are the dates.