John Darnielle is one of the most imaginative lyricists of his generation.  Since he sat down cross-legged with an acoustic guitar in front of a boom box and pressed record for the first time - more than a decade ago - skewed characters, vibrant images and perfectly-framed narratives have flowed in the hundreds.  In that time, he has conjured - from laconic, blazing phrases - insights into a multitude of vivid alternative realities.  He has inhabited the minds of murderers and suicides, prophets and emperors.  He has documented a disintegrating, alcoholic marriage (in the "Alpha" series), the inner lives of teenage metal fans ("The Best Ever Death Metal Band In Denton") and the final moments of prehistoric sacrificial victims ("Tollund Man").  He has even brought to life a world so improbably perfect that the Chicago Cubs could win a World Series ("Cubs In Five").