The Mountain Goats will release their new album Jenny from Thebes, the sequel to their 2002 album All Hail West Texas, with the release of its lead single “Clean Slate.” The album, arrives on October 27th via Merge Records, is a collection of showtunes, pushing John Darnielle as a vocalist and the Mountain Goats as a band, broadening their sound once again by leaning into influences like Godspell, Jim Steinman, and The Cars. Jenny from Thebes was produced by Trina Shoemaker and features guitar by Alicia Bognanno (Bully), horn and string arrangements by Matt Douglas, and backing vocals from Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go’s and Matt Nathanson. The Mountain Goats will be on tour supporting the album, dates include stops in New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, and more.

Of the track, John Darnielle says, “We’re proud to reveal ‘Clean Slate,’ the first song from our new album, Jenny from Thebes. People like to hedge bets by using terms like ‘concept album’ but let’s be clear, this is a rock opera about a woman named Jenny, who buys a Kawasaki to ride as far away as she can from a town she’s been carrying on her shoulders too long. ‘Clean Slate’ sets the scene: this is the house Jenny rents; these are the people who crash there when they need a place to stay; this is where she’s at in the process of becoming someone other than the keyholder she’s been. Produced by Trina Shoemaker! Played by the Mountain Goats at the Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma! Respect to the real pirates of west Texas, still out there on the roads: may you remain one step ahead forever!”

The Mountain Goats
Jenny from Thebes
Track Listing
Merge Records

1. Clean Slate
2. Ground Level
3. Only One Way
4. Fresh Tattoo
5. Cleaning Crew
6. Murder at the 18th St. Garage
7. From the Nebraska Plant
8. Same as Cash
9. Water Tower
10. Jenny III
11. Going to Dallas
12. Great Pirates

The Mountain Goats 2023 Tour Dates

8/4 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17
8/5 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues
8/8 – Seattle, WA @ Woodland Park Zoo – SOLD OUT
8/9 – Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square
10/2 – Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
10/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco
10/5 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
10/6 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall – SOLD OUT
10/7 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
10/9 – Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
10/10 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
10/11 – Bozeman, MT @ The ELM
10/13 – Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre
10/14 – Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
10/27 – Lubbock, TX @ Cactus Theater
10/28 – Dallas, TX @ Longhorn Ballroom
10/29 – Houston, TX @ Heights Theater

Pre-order Jenny from Thebes by The Mountain Goats HERE