Moggers, please excuse a potentially offensive but well-deserved dig on hipsters.
Hipsters are like the mean retarded kid with a bullhorn – loud, obnoxious & easily distracted by shiny objects.
“But the production values! The production values!” Yeah, you know what? Sometimes it’s okay for good music to actually sound good too. Johnny Marr’s on the record for Crissakes! Be happy already! Ah, that felt good. Everyone has been hit in the head with how upbeat & dance-ready this album is so let’s talk about the real strength of this album- the lyrics. In this, the 21st century, it’s impossible to absorb art in any form and not think it’s political. Instant or subtle, generic or specific, it seems there’s always a comparison or parallel to be made. I can’t help but feel that with We Were Dead…(or WWDBTSES, if you like.) It’s in the lyrics & song titles like Florida Couldn't quite seem to escape myself Far enough, far enough Far from Florida We were all drowning in cruise control Far enough, far enough Wasn't far enough Missed The Boat Oh, and we carried it all so well As if we got a new position Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell Saying yes, this is a fine promotion Oh, and I laugh all the way to hell and We’ve Got Everything Didn't want it didn't need it but we knew that we could steal it left it dying on the Floor Maybe I’m wrong about these songs but maybe not. I do know however, for a fact that Dashboard is about Global Warming. Oh, the dashboard melted but we still have the radio and then later Oh, if the world don’t like us, it’ll shake us just like we were a cold And of course, the most telling, biting and comical song lyrics (and source of the album title) are from Parting of The Sensory. Here, it’s inescapable.Who the hell made you the boss? We placed our chips in all the right spots But still lost Any shithead who had ever walked Could take the ship and do a much finer job This fit like clothes made out of wasps Aw, fuck it I guess I lost And later The weather changed it for the worse And came down on us like it had been rehearsed And like we hope, but change will surely come And be awful for most but really good for some Makes you wonder, if Dylan recorded The Times, They Are-A-Changin’ with a poppy go-go beat and Bacharach shine if the message would’ve gotten through or been lost in sound. Anyway, what’s interesting to note is that while many are getting caught up in the gossip & being caught off-guard dancing, Modest Mouse are delivering the bad news in a very good way.
My Trusted MOGs
well i loved their last album not to sure on this one i guess it has to grow on me but potty mouths are definitely UNACCEPTABLE.
My Trusted MOGs
I agree. I like the new album. Good bands grow. Good bands change. Otherwise they stagnate and get boring. Have you heard a good Aerosmith album recently? Fans can always listen to the older albums why do people complain so much that bands change their sound overtime. Anyway, the lastest album doesn't sound that much different than Lonesome Crowded West.
My Trusted MOGs
Frankly, I had higher expectations for this album. Don't get me wrong, WWDBTSES is a good album. With the Smith's Johnny Marr, I really thought the album as a whole would have been a little stronger. Maybe I'm just picky. Or I just clicked with Moon & Antarctica better.
I do think that they have found their musical voice (one of few bands today), per se... Issac Brock knows how combine those killer lyrics to the music. The combination between Marr and Brock works. Just like Dylan, I really can't imagine "the times are a changin" without dylan's impeccable delivery, Brock does the same thing. Modest Mouse has always delivered the "bad news" in a good way. Just look at the name of their previous album. Their still making provocative music, and thats what's important.