Modest Mouse is one of those bands that I don't like to play when I have friends around who aren't already familiar with them. You could say they're an aquired taste, but this is only true to some of the people some of the time, and not as a general rule. Still, I'm not blasting We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank for everyone I know because I'm fairly certain that Isaac Brock's voice will grate some nerves. It's as if he ran around the studio block 3 times before running back in to lay down the vocals on tracks such as "Fly Trapped in a Jar", "Education", and "Steam Engenius".
Brock's voice works best on the opener "March Into The Sea" with it's satisfying "Ah-haha"'s in the chorus, then turns as drippy-sweet as the instumentation in the verses. The first single, "Dashboard", follows and it's radio-friendly vibe is obvious. It's super catchy and we get a taste of Johnny Marr's influence on the overall sound. Whether or not you want to chastize the band for pursuing mainstream accessibility, you can't deny they can write a pretty fantastic hook. The next track worth noting is "Parting of the Sensory", the centerpiece of the record and by far the most emotionally engaging. The track moves at a slow but intense pace before bursting at the seams with Brock spouting lyrics about the meaninglessness of it all in only the way he can ("someday you will die somehow and someone's gonna steal your carbon"). Genius.
Speaking of the meaninglessness of it all, you'll find this is the central theme of the record (big shock, I know). It might has well have been titled We Were Lost Before We Even Left the House or We Were Sick Before We Even Got A Cold. Which brings us to the heart of the record, "Missed the Boat". The instrumentation is deceptively positive, the chorus is probably the most memorable, and the lyrics are the most dreary (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). Only Brock could refer to hell as a fine promotion from life.
The records sags a bit through the middle section, but ends in a 3 song powerhouse with "Spitting Venom", a three piece suite in the vein of "Paranoid Android", "People As Places", and the most rocking track on the record, "Invisible", with an opening riff that will rip through your stereo speakers. It could very likely end up being the next single.
My final word: I believe this to be one of the finest records of 2007. 4 out of 5 stars.
BTW, today is my 6 month MOGiversarry!
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Whoo hoo, happy MOGiversary Ty!
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:) Thanx Dale!
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Happy MOG A-day! Remember in the old days...when we had to wait for records to come out before reviewing them?
Release dates? I know not of these
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Ahh yes, the olden days. It used to be that you were the coolest kid around if you knew a way to get a record before it was released. Now my mom could do it if she wanted to.
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Happy 6th 'A'...aye!
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Hey thanks RGM!
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cool, today i have a 1/2 birthday too (16.5) happy 1/2 a year! I've heard many contrasting views on the new Modest Mouse but have not actually listened to much of it yet. (only Dashboard) Seems like they're carrying on the hot air balloons in their album art.
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Happy 1/2 b-day to you anna. It seems to me that the hardcore MM fans probably don't like this record much, but I'm not a hardcore fan. In fact, my casual listen of it turned into obsession really quick!
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w00t w00t! Happy Happy!
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Waiittt is the new MM albu out yet?
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of course it is out EVERYBODY that is kool on Mog already has it
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Awesome review. As many times as I've tried, I've had to accept the fact that I'll never acquire my Modest Mouse taste. It just wasn't meant to be.
And happy MOG anniversary! :)
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w00t! Been around for a good while... good for us to have your thoughts to read.
Interesting review. Thank you for the review.
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thanks for the review, and by the way, did you happen to see Brian1's post about the music scene in Antarctica - anyone? It was really interesting! I seem to remember something about a lot of Modest Mouse being played down there...
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Great review and analysis. I have read many a mixed review of the latest MM, but I like them so much, I have been waiting around for a reasoned but positive perspective on the new album. Thanks for providing that!
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Happy MOGniversary! It's a pleasure to have you here, Ty :)
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Congrats on the MOGniversary!
Man, that Modest Mouse record is kicking my ass right now. It's SO diverse and all over the place, but once I got past that fact after my first few listens, I can't stop with it. "March Into the Sea" pretty much owns my soul right now.
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Thanks everyone for your comments and the congratulations. I'd respond personally but I have to go to work! Argghhhhhh!
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Damnit...I will be the last person to hear this album. The reviews of it seem to be getting better and better.
Happy moggiversary!
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I've had this record for probably a week now, and yet I haven't listened to it. Each time I go to listen to it, I fall back to something like The Lonesome Crowded West. I don't think I could handle disappointment from Modest Mouse, but your review leaves hope.
BTW, Happy Moggiversary!
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happy mog-i-versary, Tyler!
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♣ Jill, thank you :)
♣ Sierra, no it's not "officially" out yet, but it is "aquirable". I'll definitely purchase this on the release date or soon after.
♣ AJ, sorry you couldn't aquire MM taste, much like I couldn't aquire any VU taste!
♣ Jimmy, glad you found the review interesting.
♣ Kristiana, no I didn't see that post but I'll look for it.
♣ Robs, I can see how this record may be knocked by critics as there are a few stinkers on the record and the band seems to have "lightened up" a bit, but there's a lot to enjoy about it.
♣ Anna, right back atchya :)
♣ Mistergary, man I am right there with you. This is pretty much all I've listened to for about a week and a half straight. At home, in the card, and on the iPod. It's incredibly addiciting!
♣ Ashley, you know Blair has the hook up, right?
♣ Hmmmm, I suspect that this record may not be much of a revelation for you, but I could be wrong. I keep trying to listen to The Lonesome Crowded... but it's much more grating than We Were Dead so I end up coming back to it. I think the band will gain many new fans with this but might disappoint the loyal ones.
♣ Dogstar, thanks very much!
Whew, covered everyone.
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No I did not know Blair had the hook up. Now I do. :)
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Hahaha, it's like a drug deal or something.
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took me a while, but i'm finally loving the new cd.. yet i've learned my lesson when it comes to making other people to listen to it ;D