John Vanderslice takes perspective in “Columns Pillars Steps” and shows us what happens right before an unthinkable choice.

Track: “Columns Pillars Steps”
Album: Moon Colony Bloodbath (2009)

“Columns Pillars Steps” has the difficult job of bridging two very different songs. Moon Colony Bloodbath is the story of people who have some sinister tasks to get done and how they live with themselves after the tasks are finished. “Sudden Oak Death” comes before it, which John Darnielle has said doesn’t really fit the album but sets up the mood of despair. “Emerging” follows it and speaks for itself as a conclusion to the story. How do you get from despair to acceptance and almost proud cannibalism?

John Vanderslice has the lead vocals on the album version, but most live versions switch between John Darnielle and Vanderslice. Both versions work, but Vanderslice’s trademark wavering pattern adds to the flowing sensation. This is someone at the end of their rope that says they are “inconsolable, still.” We don’t really get much more than that. The chorus finds them “cruising all night” in a light tone on the album and a more severe harmony on every live version, but where are they going?

I love Moon Colony Bloodbath because it tells you enough to follow the story but not enough to follow every scene. What is “DCU,” for example? Every place online that people try to figure out Mountain Goats songs seems to agree this is “Desert Camouflage Uniform,” but why would that be it? I love that you don’t know, and given that it’s Vanderslice, it’s possible you’re not supposed to know. One of my favorite Vanderslice songs is “D.I.A.L.O.,” which he’s said does not stand for anything. I say DCU isn’t anything, but it also doesn’t need to be anything.