Back in 2010, Chris Otepka played with such sincere force that Goodness Gracious instantly stuck with people all over the world. It still holds up today, like Elvis—present across every musical horizon. Mention Goodness Gracious just once, and someone’s eyes are bound to light up, with a couple of lines from the songs echoing in their head. Honestly, this album is better left unspoken. It’s like old wine, or like that blanket you’ve had for seven years—it’s not particularly pretty, but if you lose it, good luck falling asleep after.

Chris Otepka carries with him the loud, slightly underrated past of Troubled Hubble. But now he walks the stage with an acoustic guitar and a strange alias, trying to turn reality into a little surreal cartoon. Fifteen years have passed, and people still turn their heads at the name The Heligoats—like it flew out of some otherworldly zoo.

In 2025, the album Goodness Gracious turns fifteen. Some people get a cake and light candles, others dig out their old records and throw a nostalgic lo-fi party. And some will ask, “What’s so special about it anyway?” But if you sit down in a comfortable chair, put on your headphones, and give it a chance, it becomes clear: these ten tracks by The Heligoats, in both sound and meaning, are like a paper boat floating in a puddle—simple on the surface, but if you lean in closer, you can see reflections of houses, trees, the sky—the whole world tucked into a fragile paper shell.

Friends who used to listen to Troubled Hubble say Otepka brought that same disarming sincerity to The Heligoats. Others claim albums like Goodness Gracious are a soundtrack for late-night drives, when drowsy cities are fading in the rearview mirror and there’s nothing ahead but a few hundred kilometers of open road. I’ve often put this album on when I needed voices that say something meaningful without trying to live my life for me. It offers just the right amount of thoughtfulness—through gentle folk tones and a slightly grumbling but kind guitar that seems to breathe beside you. And the fact that the lyrics seem cryptic at first only adds to the warmth. You can dig into them—and digging is always interesting.

Time Capsule Just for You

“A Guide to the Outdoors” is tender folk with a soft, stirring flow—Otepka’s voice drifts unhurriedly, as if he’s walking barefoot across wet grass after the rain. It’s all about balance here: a bit of ambient, a bit of folk, a bit of indie rock. Nothing pushes, nothing overwhelms—just a sense of something genuine being quietly built.

There’s “Mercury”—hands down my favorite track on the album, just ’cause I’m hooked on that cinematic vibe, the way it’s arranged, and those pick slaps on the strings that melt into the drums like butter, seriously. Then comes “Fish Sticks”, and if someone told me it was a demo from a live session, I’d believe them. There’s a pulse in it—a human one. “Florida Panther” brings a bit of wild energy. There’s something danceable there, but barefoot.

Then comes “Aquifer”, and everything shifts. Suddenly, you’re in a warm bath with a strange radio playing in the background. There’s static, laughter, waves, little bells—like someone turned on a sleep soundtrack. And no, it’s not some surreal detour. It’s just Otepka giving you a moment to step outside of everything before gently guiding you back. That transition—from “Aquifer” to “Rubber Stopper”—is soft, almost sacred. There’s something ancient in it, a story passed along by firelight.

“Heat Vents” brings you back to the present, but not the same. And then—“Goodness Gracious”. The finale. Incredibly light, almost weightless. The guitar barely breathes, the vocals hover just above the ground. It’s the kind of song you listen to with your eyes closed, not because you want to dream, but because reality suddenly feels too vivid. It holds everything that came before—silence and noise, groove and meditation. But most of all, it holds heart. And you. After listening, you’ll want to return.

The key is not to rush. Maybe that’s the secret of Goodness Gracious: it knows how to stay quiet, but it strikes right at the consciousness with stories that warm you up and bring back memories. This album manages to be both simple and elevated. Even years later, it keeps surprising you: the lyrics are scattered with phrases you don’t want to let pass by. And you start to notice the whole album is made of these “turning” moments, where something familiar shifts and shows a new side.

Some say Goodness Gracious belongs on every “best on vinyl” list, while others still give you a blank stare when they hear the name The Heligoats. No surprise—everyone has their own favorites. But when it’s time for alternative rock with a folk soul, when you’re in the mood for something special and a little offbeat, Goodness Gracious becomes the perfect guide into the world of The Heligoats.

Fifteen years on is a good reason to remind ourselves that standout records live outside the bounds of time—like a hidden corner of the yard where the grass grows thicker and the air feels fresher. And if you want to experience it live—he’s on tour. So yeah, check the tickets below.

UPCOMING SHOWS 2025:–

Friday, March 21 – Des Moines @ The Fitz INFO

Saturday, March 22 – Lincoln, NE @ Duffy’s INFO

Sunday, March 23 – Fort Collins, CO @ Wolverine Farm 4 PM

Monday, March 24 – CO Springs, CO @ So On, ETC House Show

Thursday, March 27 – Boise, ID @ Treeline Bus #1 7:15 PM

Friday, March 28 – Boise, ID @ 8 Horses 4pm

Saturday, March 29 – Boise, ID @ Lost Grove Brewing 5PM

Saturday, March 29 – Boise, ID @ Camp Modern 9:10 PM

Wednesday, April 2 – Hood River, OR @ Gorge Speakeasy INFO

Thursday, April 3 – Hood River, OR @ Ruins TIX

Friday, April 4 – Silverton, OR @ Oak Street Church INFO

Saturday, April 5 – Portland, OR @ Private Show

Sunday, April 6 – Portland, OR @ Waypost 5:30 PM

Monday, April 7 – Medford, OR @ Copper Plank (Elk Lodge) INFO

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub