I live for the music of the Mountain Goats: There is nothing quite like standing in the pit and screaming your lungs out to a tune based on the childhoods of Romulus and Remus, the mythological brothers whose story led to the founding of Rome. John Darnielle, student of the classics, knows that tying ancient history to a simple four-chord structure will get you a devoted audience.
But such a theory does not remain exclusive to the Goats! Vesuvian, of Philadelphia, also loves taking classic myths and remixing them into fresh contexts. They do so well on their newest single, “Cassandra (The Ox Is On My Tongue)”, a retelling of Aeschylus’s Agamæmnon from the perspective of Cassandra, the tale’s tragic oracle. The song’s parenthetical title means that one cannot speak their mind, either because they were bribed or because they know, like Cassandra, no one will heed their words. Oddly, Cassandra is not the original speaker of this phrase in the story.
Vesuvian’s Joey DeGrado has a voice similar to John Darnielle’s: Nasally, urgent, and focused more on delivering sharply written and colorful imagery than anything else. The effect of the vocals atop the headbang-worthy heavy indie rock jam makes for a wonderful melding of garage punk and library science.
The track also benefits from upgraded production compared to Vesuvian’s earlier releases. While DeGrado and company recorded their 2023 album More Treble to cassette, “Cassandra” – as well as the rest of the band’s upcoming self-titled record – received the studio treatment and production from Harley Cullen of fellow Philly band Zorn. Vesuvian’s energy, the fire in DeGrado’s voice and lyrics, and the invoking of mythological figures shine with the polished production value, making “Cassandra” a must-listen for anyone, even if they never took a classics course. Mr. Darnielle would be most proud.
Take a listen to “Cassandra (The Ox Is On My Tongue)” below, and follow Vesuvian on their socials to get updates about their upcoming album.
Written by Will Sisskind
