Premature Evaluation: Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
Between their huge success with Good News..., adding Johnny Marr to the lineup, and being covered by Kidz Bop, expectations are high for Modest Mouse's new one. Based on the 200 emails you guys have sent us, seems like it's impressing most, annoying the rest. After months of "Marrdest" Mouse build up, our first impulse, obvs, was to scour the tracks for that Johnny touch. And Marr's in there ("We've Got Everything," for one), but he's enhancing, not dominating. We need to listen more -- and were less than impressed by their show at Webster and the shit-grade live boots -- but the studio, Dennis Herring's production, and James Mercer's guest vocals ("Florida" in particular) have been good to the We Were Dead... tunes. It's not the departure most probably expected, but is it enough to please the diehards? You've been into MM well before "Float On," we know. Satisfied?
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank is out 3/20 on Sony.
Posted at 6:00 PM in Premature Evaluation
Tags: Modest Mouse
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omg tern off teh italix!!
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I can't help but feel they've done better in the past, but that's just based on one listen, and it definitely took Moon & Antarctica and Good News more than one to really click for me.
The tracks with Mercer are really incredible, though.
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I was already terribly unimpressed with their first single... But the rest of the album is decent. I'm thinking it will take me some time to really get into it. That's how it was for "Good News"
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I just downloaded the album today, and have only listened to it once through, but upon first listen I really hate it. I wasn't in love with Good News, but I was hoping they would mix stuff up. I feel like this album is an unfocused mess with no sign of Johnny Marr on any one song. Again, this is just my immediate reaction, and I am going to give it a couple more listens, but really I am very disappointed right now.
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Has this album leaked?
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Generic Modest Mouse (I know, seems like an oxymoron, but by now there is such a thing) meets generic power/"indie" pop to create "never want to hear again."
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This album is really awesome. Every song is solid front to back. Parting of the Sensory, Florida, Fly Trapped in a Jar, Missed the Boat, Little Motel, March to the Sea... so many amazing moments. Seems more like classic MM with Isaac's rants and even some of his patented harmonic bending.
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Are people really that desperate for some semi-mainstream band to make a good album? This isn't a great album by any means. I think people are starting to buy into their hype machines. It's fine, but it's nothing to write home about.
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more awesome tracks than weak ones.. i'm really digging the cd.
march to the sea, parting of the sensory and missed the boat are incredible.
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help me find this?
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When I first heard Dashboard, I've gotta say I was a little worried about this new record. But after a few listens, I think I can say that Dashboard is one of the weakest tracks on the album. The rest of it is good, and Marr is a great addition to the band. He adds a certain edge that was missing from Good News. Overall, I think it's better than Good News, but I'm not so sure about comparing it to Antarctica yet. Guess I'll give it a few more spins.
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Am i only one that thinks that they started sucking with Antartica?
"Lonsome crowded west" for me.
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Help
I so want to hear it, were did u guys find it?
thanks
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Dido, where can I find it as well. Will also be buying it on the day it comes out...gotta add it to the MM collection. They are my fav band still.
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Yeah. Youuuuuuuuu send it.
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go to ateaseweb.com and find it
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Initial reaction - it's not half as bad as Good News, not half as good as Antarctica.
I don't hate it though, and I actually really like Florida. I'm not sure about the slower stuff.
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Initial reaction - it's not half as bad as Good News, not half as good as Antarctica.
I don't hate it though, and I actually really like Florida. I'm not sure about the slower stuff.
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It's backheavy, but there are some very good tracks that have been previously mentioned, all of which are in the 2nd half of the album.
6.5/10
And "Good News" was good, don't be an indie-snob.
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Check out Issac Brock talking about the leak of the new album.......
http://www.zippyvideos.com/7369803606656656/dakotajoe
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Any idea where a guy like me could get the new Ted Leo?
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http://poponparade.blogspot.com/
great mix posted.
and the modest mouse is pretty decent though i've only listened a few times. not classic but very good nonetheless. i was surprised i couldn't really tell marr was on guitar.
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For a full review of the album INCLUDING a couple of the tracks to download, check out my music blog: The Baby Heisman ... www.babyheisman.blogspot.com
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Ugh, can someone just please post a damn link? I am too old to go hunting around. Thanks a ton, seriously.
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modest ted can be found at:
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I think it's an amazing record. WAY better than Good News.
This year is amazing for albums so far.
This, Neon Bible, Hissing Fauna... too many to even remember, and it's only February!
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this plane is definitely crashing
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I thought for sure this album would be shit. I didnt think they could really go any further with their sound, but I think its a consistent great record, and as an early modest fan, I am happy with the outcome.
the new blonde redhead is absolutely ridiculous. arcade fire have nothing on that shit
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"the new blonde redhead is absolutely ridiculous. "
Ahhh its online!?!?
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i love this great band but new album sounds very weak.
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Everyone does realize that this is a very different band than what we've seen before? There is the obvious addition of Marr, however, something that I've seen very little commented on is the loss of Dan Gallucci.
The majority of the times that I've seen MM live the band was made up of Brock, Gallucci, and Green or Weikel. Only at a more recent concert (2005ish) were there more than 3 people on stage.
Although MM is Isaac Brock's band, I feel Dan Gallucci had a very heavy influence on MM's sound. The loss of him is going to result in the loss of some of the MM sound poeple are used to hearing.
Is this album better than what has been put out before? I going to say that it isn't exactly a fair comparision because this is a different band than what put out the moon & antartica (which I am reminded how good it is as it just popped on my itunes) or lonesome crowded west. I like the album, and it will probably get quite a few plays throughout the year, but I'm trying very hard not to compare to previous material.
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Great album! I can't believe how many indie snobs post here and say that MM is now lame, etc.
When a band like MM finally has a break out album and song (Float On) which gets them lots of recognition (which they have deserved)...then the "indie" snobs turn on them because they aren't as "cool" now because of the hype they have created. Gimme a break! When you have a band frontman like Brock, you know the work is going to be greater than 90% of the music out there unless he completely loses his mind.
Long live the Mouse...you STILL rule my world!
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I've only gotten a chance to listen to it once through so far, but I like what I hear. The Moon & Antarctica is still my favorite album of theirs, but WWDBTSES is good. By the way, I really liked Good News, too.
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http://www.mediafire.com/?3mwljydyykg
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I must admit, seriously let down with this album. Maybe only 2 good tracks out of the bunch. It just seems like Brock sings so much more aggresive now and the real melodies that flowed in previous works just isn't there anymore. :( Still love MM, but this album isn't really a keeper except for a few songs.
I would rather listen to Arcade Fire's Neon Bible or Hissing Fauna over this anyday. Sorry Isaac.
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Um...you've all only had this album like a day and a half and it's a full hour long. Why don't some of you retards take the time to actually listen to the album before spitting negative dribble and comparing it unfavorably to their previous work? All I can say definitively at this point is there are some standouts ("missed the boat", "parting of the sensory", "florida", "we got everything") on the first half of the album and the second half sounds pretty strong too, but I don't think I have a good enough feel for the second half to form a legitimate opinion quite yet. The most important part of this rant: don't listen to anyone at this point who says this album is a turd, because (a) they haven't listened enough to form a legit. opinion and (b) it is completely untrue.
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Has anyone noticed that "Little Motel" is the EXACT SAME melody as "Leave Me Alone" by New Order? Not to mention its a really week melody in the way MM have done it.
Entire album's pretty disapointing in my opinion. I didn't like the single at first, but now I might like it the best. And "Fire It Up" sounded awesome in my friends car really loud...
:/
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Also... in response to: "Why don't some of you retards take the time to actually listen to the album before spitting negative dribble and comparing it unfavorably to their previous work?"
Because their previous works didn't need to take time, they clicked immediately and, uh....didnt disapoint me? Is that a good answer?
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you must be some kind of MM savant if M&A didn't take any time to click with you...that album is most definitely a grower. we all wish we were as cool as you Ben. the crux of the problem-- a sizable little segment of the indie rock community simply want this album to be bad and aren't willing to give it a decent chance. it's the same old cliched song and dance we've seen for years with any band that gains any sort of mainstream popularity. I'm sorry but I'll stick to the fact that this album is 14 tracks, an hour long, and you've had it since Thursday at the earliest. Check back with me in a week if you want to tell me how bad this album is.
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Can someone please explain the appeal of modest mouse? I've honestly tried liking them just by virtue of so many people raving about them and the even more grating offshoot of ugly cassanova.
the music isn't that great. the lyrics aren't that great. Isaac Brock's vocals are so self conscious; it's like a baby crying for attention. "Hey kids! I'll sing in odd cadence cause I'm sooo unique and indie!" - doesn't make him brilliant.
I'm convinced this band was concieved as a sociology experiment on selection. How people's choices are influened by other people with hearing problems — i.e., "I heard modest mouse is cool" and that's a problem.
I'm not a hater... I just don't get it when there are so many better bands out there -
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Why do people like modest mouse so much? It's a tough question. in my opinion, having spoken with many MM fans and being one myself, I think it has a lot to do with their consistency over the years. They're not one of those bands with 1 or 2 albums that were "good" and then their following albums were "not so good" due to how they sound. I think Modest Mouse appeals to so many people because their music is always new and different in the same way and people expect it to be the same "type," which it always is. Secondly, in my opinion, the songs all have an intricate meaning as well as a surface meaning. it depends on how much you read into the lyrics/melodies that go along with it. modest mouse is in essence whatever you want them to be.
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I actually like most of the tracks a lot, a few weak ones, but most albums have some anyway. Really like Education, but that's probably because the melody is extremely similar to Wild Pack of Family Dogs from Moon and Antarctica. Oh well, still like it.
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I find it really interesting how the people who like this album are saying the people who don't like it have invalid opinions. I don't know why.
I don't like this album, at all, but I could understand why people would like it. It's a much more straightforward album than anything they've ever done, I'd say.
Modest Mouse has created a new sound for themselves. And it's nothing compared to what they used to sound like. And I think Isaac Brock dried up the well of his amazing lyrical talent.
And does no one else here think "Fire it up" and "Florida" are almost the same song? Listen to how he sings each of those. Not the mark of a good album in my opinion.
I think "Parting of the sensory" is the only good song, after a couple more listens of the whole album.
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Good News was alright. I wasn't willing to write the band off after one average because of the strength of their discography up to that point, especially since Good News sounded a little like a transition album. Then I saw one of the Webster Hall shows....
The new album is not as bad as the show suggested, but it's still pretty bad. It's not being snobby, it's just no good.
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I have to add my two cents. I think that "Steam Engineius" (not sure if that's spelled right) is a totally awesome song. One of the best I've ever heard from modest mouse. "Parting Of the Sensory" starts out awesome than gets crazy then ends awesome. I don't know what you call the ending of that song but it sounds nice. I think it's going to take a while to get used to but there are some real hits on there. The best songs in my opinion are:
Steam Whatever
Missing The Boat
Fly Trapped in a Jar
and probably some more with more listens. The biggest problem I thought was that it started getting too complicated. Most songs on "Good News" were really catchy. This takes more listens before you start recognizing what you like.
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i agree with the person that said that this is a totally different band now.
question time for those of you who "like the old modest mouse better" - if you had never heard of modest mouse, and this was the first CD you had heard, do you think our opinions would be different? it's still better than a lot of stuff out there right now in pop/radio culture.
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If this had been my first exposure to Modest Mouse, I can say with all confidence that I would probably never become a fan. There's definitely no way I would like them enough to see them live. If Good News had been their debut album, I would probably be a casual fan that played a few songs every now and then.
On a side note, I would definitely like to know where I could get the new Ted Leo.
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For me, the reason Modest Mouse records take such a long time to get into is because of the lyrics... Johnny Marr is exciting and all, but what I'm really looking forward to is another trip inside Brock's mind, and this has been the case every album release since I started listening to The Lonesome Crowded West and This is a Long Drive... As a fan who actually listens to the words and notices the way they accentuate the music (ie. "Styrofoam Boots/It's All Nice on Ice" / "Bury Me With It"), I'm gonna wait until the whole ship sinks in (no pun) before I (die) weigh my opinion.
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Wow. This thread is fucking retarded. I hate some of you. His singing is less melodic than it used to be? HAVE YOU EVER EVEN HEARD THIS IS A LONG DRIVE? It's the most straightforward record they've ever done? ARE WE EVEN LISTENING TO THE SAME ALBUM?
My two cents: this is their best record since The Lonesome Crowded West. Moon and Antarctica is good but highly overrated by the Pitchfork set, as this thread makes clear. Fuck. I don't know why I ever read comment threads on this site.
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" the lyrics aren't that great."
you are an idiot
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"I'll be reading my heart's record for speeding"
Seriously? Those are good lyrics?
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MM song "Custom Concern" alone is better than anything on this album. Lonesome Crowded West, Long Drive, and MA are way beyond what this new album is. Seems to me so many of these new songs sound the same and it is just kinda bland. Where's the heart Isaac? Guess I will give it more time, but it is going to be tough. The last album only had two really good tracks I think..."Float On" and "World at Large" which is brilliant.
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im not even a hardcore mm fan, but i'll go to bat for them lyrically.
'life handed us a paycheck and we said we worked harder then this'
'talking shit about a pretty sunset/blanketing opinions i will probably soon regret/change my mind so much i cant even trust it/ my mind change me so much i cant even trust myself'
'The universe is shaped exactly like the earth/if you go straight long enough youll end up where you were.'
isaac is awfully clever and there's not a hint of pretentiousness in his delivery unlike oh so many other 'indie rockers'
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I've been listening to it regularly since I got it yesterday morning and, while I run the risk of being called an "indie snob" (which is a hilarious term, since being on this very website and posting probably qualifies all of us for that title to 99% of the population) I don't really care for the album.
Just my opinion, I totally get how some people might like it. And I liked Good News... a lot when it came out. I just feel like on this album they take some of the stuff I love from their earlier recordings and try to fit it in with their newer sound and something doesn't click.
And I think adding Mercer was a mistake, I find the songs wiht him distracting.
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I assume anyone still reading by Post #50something, must have some interest in MM.
My two cents:
I really love "Building Nothing out of Something," and that release isn't even an album proper.
Seriously, anyone who likes MM really should check out that release...some amazing songs.
I haven't heard the new release yet.
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after the first listen, i'm not much a fan. i do agree with the folks who said it's back-loaded though
i can't see this getting much play. the songs aren't as distinguished; i'll take LCW an day.
bigs up for Building Nothing
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after the first listen, i'm not much of a fan. i do agree with the folks who said it's back-loaded though
i can't see this getting much play. the songs aren't as distinguished; i'll take LCW any day, but again this is only after the first listen. it honestly doesn't grab me the way other have. it seems like the type of album where everyone will have 3 different songs they're crazy about, and the rest just get muddled together
bigs up for Building Nothing
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well, all of their albums are extreme departures of one another, and each have their own unique sound. I personally have not listened to the album, but i have every other album released by them. I have high expectations for this album, and will maybe get the leak. i think after a few good listens the album may be pretty damn good, on a side note...
who has neon bible, and the new blonde redhead???
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I've listened to WWDBTSS a few times now. I have to say I really like some parts of it. "Florida" is great, as is "Little Motel", "People In places as People" (whatever it's called), a bunch of others. Other tracks don't really do it for me: "Education", "Fire it Up". Overall though, a good record.
I will admit that it took me a while to really get into Moon and Antartica. That record wasn't nearly as immediately satisfying as LCW or Long Way. I still don't like the first three songs on Moon, but from Tiny Cities on that album is amazing.
And since people have brought up the new Blonde Redhead...Wow. That album is really great. Another huge leap forward. If you can find it online I recommend downloading it (and buying it when it comes out, of course). It's really, really great.
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ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ground sure dont like the way its treated so now
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does anyone else think there is too many songs? i really like the first half but it starts to get a little boring towards the end. just my opinion. i give it a 7/10.
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I know this is off the subject, but the new Blonde Redhead is ridiculously good! Now THAT is a great album!
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boring towards the end?!? this is the first modest mouse album that has an end. at first listen this seems to be most consistent offering they have had to date. whether its the addition of johnny marr, a new focus in the band, or less drug consumption they have been able to finally make an album that keeps going rather then collapsing to their knees halfway through like a majority of their drunken stage shows.
it is alot poppier then anything they have done which is probably why it is generating so much backwards rage, but its consistency (including its I think awesome 3 song finale) makes it maybe their best. i think i will get more play out of this then any of their others because it stays on track.
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Boring, typical Indie Rock fare. Perfect for Stereogum readers and "the Pitchfork set."
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jar,
I'll agree to that I'm an idiot if you agree to the fact that you jerk off to what is tantamount to high school poetry.
like I said his lyrics aren't that great - he has a habit of throwing perfume on the violet in isaac speak.
some high school poetry on the matter:
grain fed indie meatheads
bolster and clamor for isaac's lackluster grammar
(no masturbating here, just baiting)
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This is QUITE a solid album. I'm a bit shocked that the 'their old stuff is better' crowd isn't at least giving them credit for putting out a much better, more 'accurate' MM album.
Standouts for me:
'Parting of the Sensory'
'Fire It Up'
'Steam Engenius'
I think I like it more than Neon Bible.
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OH..... MY........ MODEST...... MOUSE! OH MY MODEST MOUSE!
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It's not THAT bad.
Give it some time. I really dig Little Motel.
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This album is amazing! I was very impressed with the progression of Good News and I am unsurprisingly stunned again with We Were Dead. Isaac has proved once again that he is a god of indie and this album along with Modest's entire discography will put them in the history books. I have been a Modest fan for as long as I can remember, and nothing these guys put out will ever dissapoint me. What makes a great band is thier ability to change and evolve, but still keep the novelty that made them great and this album has done just that. My picks off We Were Dead:
Parting of the sensory
We've got everything
Spitting venom
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I love the album.
Am I the only one who thinks the second half of "Fly Trapped in a Jar" sounds a bit like "Walk This Way"?
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i'm gonna wait and buy that shit on cassette and play it in my boom box on the back of the school bus....
how do ya'll listen to this album already? swap shop? wassup?
send me the links....so, i can gets the hook up....
palabra.
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You can have your Mediocre Mouse, personally I'm sticking with anything pre-good news!!!!!!!!!!!
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interesting comments. i now understand that if you like this album it's because you're mindlessly parroting groupthink, whereas if you DON'T like this album it's because you're an indie snob that refuses to like anything popular. In either case, you are part of "the pitchfork set." good to know.
well i've just listened once through and this album hasn't really grabbed me yet, but I'm gonna give it some more plays before really making a verdict. I must say that I found "Good News" to be a dissapointing album with a few good tracks. Nevertheless I was happy for their success because I like to cheer for bands I like. I think "lonesome crowded west" and "M&A" are their two masterpieces.
Someone mentioned Dan Gallucci... was that their original drummer? That guy ruled.
Brock does have some great lyrics.
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Being from Seattle and a long time MM fan since the early days I can say the new album isnt as good as Long Drive, Lonesome Crowded, & Building Something. WWDBTSES is still a great album. However the band has evolved and grown up, the sound has changed which is still better than 99% of the crap out there. Case, you are completely deaf if you can't recognize Issac's amazing lyrics, and to call them "indie meathead" lyrics is insane. Jar, you just touched on a FEW of the great ones...
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I love it when people call other people names. I never said it was bad. I said I was disapointed. And that's just clarification; NOT taking it back. Furthermore that dispointment says more to me about how much I love their other records. So yeah, I still don't like this one too much. I said I was disapointed; I'm allowed to feel that way after a couple listens.
Don't take things that people say out of context and then cast stones. I like this band, used to like them more than I do now. Yeah. Their popularity is a seperate issue all together, particlarly a bullshit issue. I'm over it. Lot's of bands are big. Let's move on. Furthermore, I don't even really hear a big single or mainstream sound on hear at all. Good for them. I don't like the album as much as the others.
Or do I reaaaally need to devote lots of time to something if I don't feel a connection with it? If I do, I'm certainly not going to do it for you, Hammad, or anyone else...
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Just one listen through, and I'm impressed.
Liking the guitars, not crazy about the vocal delivery - seems like less variety and more staccatto screaming than I'd prefer.
What I'm impressed with is that this isn't just Good News 2.0, or LCW circa 2007. After like 7 albums or whatever it is now, it can't be easy to come up with great sounding material that still bears your own signature. This is definitely a Modest Mouse record, but it's an evolving Modest Mouse. Maybe there's more Marr in here than is readily apparent.
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This album is crazy fantastic.
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i must say that i'm quite satisfied with the result of this new mm album. could be worse, believe me... i personally think this is much better than "good news".
dunno, maybe the sound wasn't that much the one which most people expected to be. since marr joined the band, this kind of sound becomes quite full of sense.
hellos
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Modest Mouse fan of 10 years here. I LOVE the new album. It's great to see a band do a good job of moving forward, evolving. Anyone hating this album is being a snob for snob's sake. Lonesome Crowded West is still my favorite and the best of "Classic" MM, but I'm more than pleased with where they are going. My early Number One of 2007.
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Um, I actually really liked Good News and Antartica and Lonesome Crowded West.
We Were Dead is very good; but nowhere near as good as any of their previous stuff.
Overproduced, but then again that's what I said about the new Shins and now I like the record.
Need to give this one a few more spins.
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As a Modest Mouse record; not very good.
As an indie pop record; not very good.
Either way, it's just not a good album.
Now placing bets on its pitchfork rating:
$50 on 4.2