Singer-songwriter Goat might not ring a bell by name alone, but that oddly catchy single “Great Life” from the Kia commercial should surely help. His joining of folk and hip hop early on suggested a Triple-A format disciple of Beck emerging. That alone made him a slam-dunk for a major label deal a few years back.
He should have been an alt-hero, with all that personality. But channeling Randy Newman, David Bowie, those Rat Pack lounge singers, and the aforementioned Mr. Hansen proved too challenging for the majors. Seems they saw him more as, well, an alt-goat. Like they do so many talented sods, sadly.
Son of Cleveland Indians’ star third baseman Al Rosen, Goat’s real name is Andy. And like his Dad, he can never be counted out. Goat’s third long-player is a spry, Engine Room release called Twisted Heart. It’s a gritty, jangly home run, a testament to truth in advertising and proof that minor league baseball has more character anyway.
Goat’s heartfelt songwriting and peppery, Newman-like voice radiate charm and melancholy. Yet “Two Sides to Love,” “I Still Remember,” a kitschy lounge wish called “Find Somebody” and the September 11-inspired “Churchbells” are hardly lethargic — exuding a heartbroken sense of purposeful verve.
By sheer contrast, the disc’s title cut and a meditation called “Come Today” mourn hard-living troubadour Chris Whitley’s death like an all-day rain cries for the clouds. You can almost see Whitley's gangly, gnarled frame between the words, smoking and strumming "Big Sky Country."
Nearly all of Twisted Heart focuses on summoning one's inner strength, healing and overcoming emotional scars. The pill-popping “Valium and Sodapop” might be the exception. This droll, Lovin’ Spoonful-esque take on our Prozac Nation celebrates being out of one's tree. An upbeat daydream like this surely belongs in a P.T. Anderson flick. Might I suggest casting Tom Cruise and Brooke Shields...?
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