New Mountain Goats track: "Genesis 3:23"

Stereogum is streaming a new track by The Mountain Goats (technically John Darnielle and the random collection of musicians along for the ride), and it's pretty solid. It's called "Genesis 3:23." Stream it here or at Stereogum:

The Mountain Goats - "Genesis 3:23" (MP3)

The Life of the World to Come, the upcoming album by the band, will feature 12 tracks inspired by Biblical verses.

Tracklist:

01 "1 Samuel 15:23"
02 "Psalms 40:2"
03 "Genesis 3:23"
04 "Philippians 3:20-21"
05 "Hebrews 11:40"
06 "Genesis 30:3"
07 "Romans 10:9"
08 "1 John 4:16"
09 "Matthew 25:21"
10 "Deuteronomy 2:10"
11 "Isaiah 45:23"
12 "Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace"

It's a concept album, to be sure, but judging by this first track, it's not overtly religious.  From mountain-goats.com is Darnielle's explanation:

I guess the obvious question is going to be: "John, have you had some sort of religious awakening?" and while I guess lots of people might want to be coy about answering that, that's never really been my style, so: no. It's not like that. It's not some heavy-narrative-distance deal either, though, and it's not a screed. It's twelve new songs: twelve hard lessons the Bible taught me, kind of. More than that I'd want to wait to say until some people have heard it, which won't be long. Will there be more news soon, quite soon? Like, next week, even? Oh yes there will!

Hipness: 8/10
Quality: 8/10