Album Throwback: The Heligoats Celebrate 15th Anniversary Of 'Goodness Gracious'

By Anna Grace Odom on March 23, 2025

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the breakout 2010 album Goodness Gracious from folk rock group The Heligoats.

Released in 2010 on Greyday Records, the album lifted the band to new heights, garnering national acclaim, which included lead singer and songwriter Chris Otepka performing on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert.

Otepka performs an intimate acoustic arrangement of "Goodness Gracious," "I'm Pretty Sure I Can See Molecules," "A Guide to the Outdoors," and "Fish Sticks." The performance is celebrated by both fans and critics as one of the premier Tiny Desk episodes, with viewers hailing him as "the Bob Dylan of our generation." The group has since been celebrated for their captivating live presence and idiosyncratic lyricism.

Opening Goodness Gracious is the aforementioned track "A Guide to the Outdoors," which introduces listeners to Otepka's prolific vocal delivery and thought-provoking lyrics, which includes the likes of molecules, bugs, plants, and eccentric people, always delivered with authentic arrangements.

Coming in at number three on the record is "Fish Sticks," which balances a vibrant, active instrumentation and again showcases his poignant phrasing: "While you were baptized in a river / I was thrown off a bridge," he croons. As one of the most beloved songs on the record, "Fish Sticks," along with the following track, "Water Towers on Fire," encapsulate the spirit of the group's unique spin on indie rock.

"Goodness Gracious," the title track of the LP, is a gorgeous, sentimental tune that wraps up the standout album: "I got people in a rut / They know I love 'em but they don't know much," he sings. This beautifully composed and poetic track has garnered a cult following for the Bellingham-based group.

Since Goodness Gracious' release in 2010, the band has gone on major national and international tours, and released subsequently adored records. Last summer they embarked on a UK Summer run, and this year, The Heligoats are set to perform at the revered Treefort Music Fest March 26-30 in Boise, Idaho, along with names like Remi Wolf, Shaky Graves, Bright Eyes, and Built to Spill.

Listen on Spotify