Goat - All of My Friends

I was driving along in my Kia Sportage listening to Goat when…I realized I don’t own a Kia Sportage, and I had fallen asleep in front of my television again. For seriously wholesome and inoffensive music, Goat delivers some sweet moments. Number one of said moments is the introduction of banjo into several nicely layered songs - an enjoyable touch. The vocals are nice too, and the rhymes work well for the most part. Think laid-back summer day with a nice breeze, and you’re almost in the mood. I mentioned the music was pretty wholesome - but it falls short of preachy. Phew. Well, it seems there is always some sort of catch. In this case I must reference the all-too-common “second-half isn’t as good” clause. The beats are a little cornier. The lyrics are a little more questionable. In come the “macaroni and cheese” moments (please see song “Nothing”). This time, fortunately, the balance shifts more in favor of the positive. Mellow, and at times meaningful, Goat pulls All of My Friends off with a touch of class...and a wedge of cheese. [www.goatrocks.com]