MOG

John Darnielle is an incredible songwriter because he’s willing to openly, honestly and intelligently explore his emotions and struggles and write wonderful hooks to match. While The Sunset Tree had him confronting the childhood abuse he endured – grabbing me around and the throat and squeezing until my eyes welled and until I couldn't stop listening – his newest album, Get Lonely is a quieter, tamer trip through lost loves and, needless to say, loneliness. Rather than strings that slash and burn for revenge, acoustic guitar and lightly plucked piano keys seem to serenade you, preventing you from falling too deep into his heartache. Most of the songs talk about waking up alone, getting used to spending the day alone, wondering around the city alone, going to bed alone -- it's so sad and real and alive and raw, you just want to keep listening. Sometimes it seems Darnielle is the only one today whose able to flesh out so much of life's truths. And whether it’s a gushing release or aching reflection, Darnielle’s albums offer some of the best songwriting we have today, I’m prepared to go wherever he wants to take me.