Genre Folk rock, Indie rock Label 4AD | Length 3:49 Writer(s) John Darnielle | |
Released February 18, 2008
February 19, 2008 Producer(s) Scott Solter, John Vanderslice | ||
"Lovecraft in Brooklyn" is the eighth track on the Mountain Goats' Heretic Pride album released in 2008 on 4AD.
Contents
The song describes the xenophobia of horror fiction writer H. P. Lovecraft during his residence in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Lyrics
In an interview with io9's Charlie Jane Anders concerning the song's imagery, songwriter John Darnielle stated "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" "is not really about Lovecraft — it's sung by a guy who's identifying with Lovecraft at his most xenophobic and terrified. Why does that appeal? I think I'm just attracted to hermits in general — to people who don't feel like they're part of the world, who have a hard time feeling like they're really present in the same space as everybody else."
Reception
Allmusic's Steve Leggett called "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" "odd, lysergic" and "feels like the screenplay for a campy B movie monster flick given musical form, only, of course, it might be something else entirely." Crawdaddy!'s Jessica Gentile called "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" "muscular, electric, and imbued with paranoia" and "by far, the heaviest song the band’s ever recorded." Pitchfork Media's Zach Baron called "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" (alongside songs "Sax Rohmer #1" and "In the Craters of the Moon") a "seething throwback [...] taut, propulsive, paranoid, furious."
Slant Magazine's Dave Hughes said Heretic Pride was anchored by "surprisingly assertive rock moments" as the "awesomely angular 'Lovecraft in Brooklyn'." Sputnikmusic's Ryan Flatley reviewed "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" as "steers behinds a staccato, yet catchy bass-line and Kayo Dot-esque violins. Darnielle’s eager voice provides an engaging feel leading 'Lovecraft in Brooklyn.'" Tiny Mix Tapes's Judy Berman declared "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" as "fast-paced and guitar-driven, with Darnielle singing breathlessly, as though he’s running from someone with a gun. He shows his talent for subtly coloring his lyrics with the voice of the frightened narrator, in lines like, 'Afraid of my own shadow/ Like, genuinely afraid.'"
Live versions
For 2013's SF Sketchfest, John Darnielle performed "Lovecraft in Brooklyn" along with "The Best Ever Death Metal Band" for the podcast Judge John Hodgman.
Alternate versions
American hip hop music artist Aesop Rock remixed the song including additional lyrics. Musician John Darnielle called it a "completely great from-the-ground-up remix."
The Morning News's Erik Bryan called the collaboration "strange. Darnielle’s lyrics and vocals make it not the chillest groove, even as Aesop Rock’s mix tries to force it in that direction, which may be precisely akin to the paranoid displacement H.P. Lovecraft felt upon moving to New York."