Tallahassee by The Mountain Goats (2002)

Tallahassee is the seventh overall, second of 2002 and the first Mountain Goats record to feature what could be considered a full "band," with fuller instrumentation and a percussion section. Up to this point, most recordings under the Mountain Goats name had either been solo recordings from John Darnielle or recordings featuring Rachel Ware on bass.

Regarding the concept, The Mountain Goats are a unique situation in which many of their albums are part of a larger, conceptual universe. Tallahassee is devoted to two recurring characters, a married couple constantly on the edge of divorce. As such, the songs focus on the dysfunction in their relationship. Fans have come to refer to the couple as as "the Alpha Couple," as many of the previous songs about them have titles beginning with the word "Alpha" (e.g. "Alpha Incipiens," "Alpha Desperation March"). The final song on the album is titled "Alpha Rats Nest".

Over the course of the album, the Alpha Couple move into a house on Southwood Plantation Road in Tallahassee, Florida. The house is falling apart, a metaphor for their crumbling marriage. Sick of themselves and each other, yet unwilling to part, they begin drinking themselves to death. Uplifting stuff.