The Heligoats – Goodness Gracious
The Heligoats are commemorating the 15th anniversary of their album Goodness Gracious, and we’re here to let you know it’s worth celebrating. The work of a lone man and (mostly) his acoustic guitar, The Heligoats is the stage name of Chris Otepka – a vehicle that he uses to convey his jangly brand of indie/alternative/folk. Falling somewhere on the spectrum between Neutral Milk Hotel, Wilco, and Conor Oberst, Goodness Gracious is perfect for fans of aughts-era songwriting, singer/songwriter flavors, and powerful lyrics and story telling. Also, is it just me, or does 15 years ago feel like it should be 1995 and not 2010?
Like many musicians, Otepka’s criminally-underrated past bubbles beneath the heartfelt power of the songs found on Goodness Gracious. While the album literally kicks off with cricket noises, “A Guide to the Outdoors” is anything but a snoozefest. Otepka’s endearing vocal delivery channels Jeff Mangum with hints of the wry waverings of the aforementioned Oberst. Sour 7th chords push and pull your ear from chord to chord before a heady bassline blasts its way through your speakers. There are hints of psychedelia here – almost Flaming Lips-ish in nature – but ultimately this comes down to Otepka and his guitar, which is where its strength (and the rest of the album’s strength) truly lies. This same fervor can be found on song three, “Fish Sticks,” which has the most overt In the Aeroplane Over the Sea vibes – a neurotically strummed barnburner that is sure to get the coal churning.
There’s plenty here for everyone to enjoy – notably, Otepka’s one liners, one of my favorites being this excerpt from “Water Towers on Fire:”
“Like a barrel full of monkeys, you’re a fuckload of work, you can string me along, make me laugh until my stomach caves in…”
It’s these strange turns of phrase that make this album so ear-catching… That, and the wonderful juxtaposition between full-band vibes and a more intimate or low-key sound. “Mercury’s” slow burning simmer builds a beautiful crescendo out of stunning imagery built around the toxic, liquid metal. “Florida Panther” plays with a Jack Johnson-esque guitar strum, while highlighting Otepka’s lush harmony work. The aggressive “Rubber Stopper” reaches into guitar-distortion territory, bolstered by hammered drums and walls of electric guitar noise. Finally, you’ve got songs like the title track, “Goodness Gracious,” that showcases Otepka at his most stripped-back, hints of reverse-instruments peeking through the mix. He fittingly leaves you with “Goodnight, goodness gracious, goodnight.”
Goodness Gracious is out now (… and it’s been out for 15 years). Check out all the different ways to appreciate this excellent album, including on vinyl, via bandcamp, or, via Spotify or Apple Music.
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This post was written by Nick Sessanna