Spring Break
CD Review: Modest Mouse
"We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank"
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The American indie rock band Modest Mouse has gained quite a following since the release of its first album in 1994, and fans of the band tend to fall into two categories: those who like the direction the band is going and those who prefer where the band started.
For fans that fall into the former category, "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" is a hit. With catchy hooks, brilliant lyrics and Isaac Brock's trademark bizarre vocal style, Modest Mouse's latest album - released March 20 - is a natural progression from the band's 2004 album, "Good News for People Who Love Bad News."
The album's title is a nod to the nautical, folky theme that acts as the cohesive element between songs. The first track, called "March Into the Sea," opens with an accordion and what sounds like an old, creaking boat. Nearly every song somehow plays into this thread, either with subtle (or not subtle) lyrical references or folk melodies that could have come right off the boat.
One song that embodies the maritime subject and essentially makes the album is "Spitting Venom." Not radio-friendly in the least with a running time of over eight minutes, several distinctly different musical styles and a smattering of indecipherable lyrics thrown in for good measure, this track showcases the band's growth over the past 10 years. The song opens with nothing but Brock's vocals and acoustic guitar, further playing up the folk theme. The constant shifts in this song will keep listeners guessing, and, better yet, keep listeners listening for all eight-plus minutes.
What is different about the new release? Well, for one, the band has officially added Johnny Marr (songwriter for the 1980s English indie band The Smiths) to its roster, and he co-wrote many of the album's songs with Brock. He is, according to Brock, a "full-blown member of the band" and will be appearing with Modest Mouse on tour.
Also making an appearance on the new album is The Shins' James Mercer, who provides backup vocals on the snappy track "We've Got Everything."
For fans that fall into the former category, "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank" is a hit. With catchy hooks, brilliant lyrics and Isaac Brock's trademark bizarre vocal style, Modest Mouse's latest album - released March 20 - is a natural progression from the band's 2004 album, "Good News for People Who Love Bad News."
The album's title is a nod to the nautical, folky theme that acts as the cohesive element between songs. The first track, called "March Into the Sea," opens with an accordion and what sounds like an old, creaking boat. Nearly every song somehow plays into this thread, either with subtle (or not subtle) lyrical references or folk melodies that could have come right off the boat.
One song that embodies the maritime subject and essentially makes the album is "Spitting Venom." Not radio-friendly in the least with a running time of over eight minutes, several distinctly different musical styles and a smattering of indecipherable lyrics thrown in for good measure, this track showcases the band's growth over the past 10 years. The song opens with nothing but Brock's vocals and acoustic guitar, further playing up the folk theme. The constant shifts in this song will keep listeners guessing, and, better yet, keep listeners listening for all eight-plus minutes.
What is different about the new release? Well, for one, the band has officially added Johnny Marr (songwriter for the 1980s English indie band The Smiths) to its roster, and he co-wrote many of the album's songs with Brock. He is, according to Brock, a "full-blown member of the band" and will be appearing with Modest Mouse on tour.
Also making an appearance on the new album is The Shins' James Mercer, who provides backup vocals on the snappy track "We've Got Everything."
Be the first to comment on this story