The Mountain Goats âÄî an alt-folk group that serves as a vehicle for dynamic singer and songwriter John Darnielle âÄî impressed with their intimate show at The Cedar Cultural Center Saturday night. The playlist was speckled with anthemic and confessional songs that reached deep back into DarnielleâÄôs canon. The night was filled with DarnielleâÄôs awkwardly endearing banter, quivering enthusiasm and distinctive nasally yelp. Many of the songs utilized the entire band, but segments of the show simply featured Darnielle with either his guitar or piano. The opening act, Final FantasyâÄôs Owen Pallett, contributed his violin work throughout. There was even a special Minnesota touch: an encore that featured a cover of The Hold SteadyâÄôs âÄúPositive Jam.âÄù The Mountain Goats are touring to support their recent LP âÄúThe Life of the World to Come.âÄù