Exploring Goose’s Fourth Album, “Everything Must Go”

Goose, the Connecticut-based band, further cements its position in the jam-band lineage with the release of their fourth album, Everything Must Go. The album showcases the band’s evolution and ambition while retaining the essence of the improvisational style that has become synonymous with the genre.

Musical Depth and Themes

As the album nears its conclusion, the song “Silver Rising” introduces an intriguing shift in tone. In this track, Rick Mitarotonda, the band’s primary songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, conveys an unsettling introspection. With lines like “I’m not the man I was/There’s a killer inside me,” he hints at a tumultuous backstory. His haunting lyrics, such as “The rage in my heart flows out through my veins/I’m losing my mind/But all I can do is empty my lungs to the sky,” portray a raw emotional state, evoking imagery of a disorienting experience.

A New Era for Jam Bands

In their more than ten years as a band, Goose has embraced the legacy of jam music, characterized by fluid grooves and extended instrumental explorations. They often draw inspiration from classic jam legends like the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band, generating euphoric crescendos in their performances. For example, in “Dustin Hoffman,” Mitarotonda’s guitar work reaches impressive heights reminiscent of Dickey Betts.

Electronic Influences and Stylistic Experimentation

The album also ventures beyond the traditional jam-band framework. The pulsating electronic elements in “Silver Rising” add an unsettling dimension, while tracks like “Lead Up” display a heavier guitar sound that diverges from typical expectations. “Your Direction” ventures into pop territory, demonstrating varied lyrical themes, although the execution sometimes feels meandering.

Standout Tracks

Despite occasional lyrical missteps, the album features several notable tracks. One standout, “California Magic,” adopts a light-hearted tone reminiscent of a beach day, with clever lyrics that capture a quintessential California vibe. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach shines, particularly in “Red Birds,” a poignant piece showcasing deep emotional resonance, akin to the Grateful Dead’s “Box of Rain.” This track, delivered by a less prominent vocal lead, enhances its impact through a lush melody and thoughtful arrangement.

Jam Band Legacy and Current Directions

The influence of the Grateful Dead looms large over Goose’s work, positioning them as successors to Phish, who in turn followed in the footsteps of the Dead. This lineage highlights not only the lasting appeal of jam music but also how its soundscape has softened over the decades. While classic jam bands often embraced a certain edge—seen in the personalities of musicians like Butch Trucks and Ron “Pigpen” McKernan—Goose tends to evoke a more community-driven, softer sound.

In the current musical landscape, which calls for a comforting presence, this gentler approach resonates. However, as suggested by “Silver Rising,” a touch more of that classic jam-band ferocity could enrich Goose’s sound further, blending their ambitions with the grit of their predecessors.