The Mountain Goats: Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan review – shipwreck songs from a master storyteller

(Cadmean Dawn)
The latest themed album from John Darnielle’s band – with some help from Lin-Manuel Miranda – takes them on a sumptuously crafted and surprisingly upbeat voyage to a desert islandJohn Darnielle’s penchant for a concept album has already produced the likes of Beat the Champ (about wrestling), Bleed Out (action movies) and Goths (alternative music in his teens). Now, the 23rd Mountain Goats album tackles – but of course – the story of a small crew