Upon hearing of his abusive stepfather’s death, Darnielle was flooded with a number of long-repressed memories and emotions. One such memory was of his stepfather bringing him to the racetrack, which he recounts here. Though the pain and anger of Darnielle’s childhood memories predominate The Sunset Tree, “Pale Green Things” concludes the album on a soft, contemplative, and possibly forgiving note.
In the liner notes, Darnielle dedicates the album to his stepfather:
Made possible by my stepfather, Mike Noonan (1940-2004): may the peace which eluded you in life be yours now.
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