Modest Mouse

Editor's Review:

After the success of their excellent sonic epic, The Moon & Antarctica in 2000, Modest Mouse settled into a worrisome state in which they passed their time by selling songs to beer and car advertisers. So frankly, I was a little worried about this one. Everything, including the pastel based album cover, its somewhat optimistic title and the bombastic 10-second horn intro, clearly state that this is going to be a different type of Modest Mouse album. Luckily, it turns out that this is not a bad thing at all. The opening reverb-drenched strumming of “The World At Large” sounds extremely familiar until lead singer Isaac Brock’s vocals come in. This time, his voice, set alongside some elegant strings, sounds sugary and whole rather than rough and tense. The vibe carries over to the hugely infectious disco bounce of “Float On,” which is the album’s first single, and also one of its best cuts. Brock sings lines like “I backed my car into a cop car the other day / well he just drove off, sometimes life’s okay,” before the band breaks into a mellow, U2 inspired chorus. From here, the band wisely begins to downplay the Prozac angle and returns to some more familiar material. From the frantic punk of “Dance Hall,” to the gorgeous “Blame It on the Tetons,” Brock’s voice is the high point here. Unlike previous outings, he sounds limitlessly malleable, lending each song a unique vocal identity. This may not be Modest Mouse’s best album, but it is certainly a strong one that continues to redefine their unmistakable sound.
– Landon Moblad
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Record Label Epic Released April 2004

Tracks Horn Intro The World at Large Float On Ocean Breathes Softly Dig Your Grave Bury Me With It Dance Hall Bukowski This Devil’s Workday The View Satin in a Coffin Interlude (Milo) Blame It on the Tetons Black Cadillacs One Chance The Good Times Are Killing Me