Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

By: Kendall | in: Music |

It’s been said that Isaac Brock actively recruited ex-Smiths guitar player Johnny Marr before they started recording We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank. Brock was convinced that the stylistic differences in sound would blend into something that would produce greater results. Marr is now a full fledged member of Modest Mouse.

Modest Mouse has built its own sound since 1996, and the Smiths have certainly had their own. It’s easy to start thinking about which sound would dominate this clash of titans. To much surprise, it’s no clash at all. It’s actually a blend so seamless that it is often a bit difficult to determine which parts Marr has brought to the table. It takes a trained listener of the MM or the Smiths to pick the parts out, but can be deciphered in nearly all of the tracks. Some great solos, and ambience are brought to the table and perhaps even lending themselves to more accessability than previous MM attempts. The band is still Brocks, but Marr lays down his influence eloquently. Brock seems more involved vocally, and lyrics wind and play and often answer themselves. It’s much more slick than 2004’s Good News For People Who Hate Bad News, and I am already hearing the dreaded “sellout” label be dropped from some fans again. Especially after there was a group sing-and-dance show put on by the American Idol contestants. It Is true that there are more chirps, blips, keyboards, and vocal layers than ever before, but this is hardly a sell out album.

The Band lets loose early in the first track of the album “March to the Sea” after the first initial seconds. Sarcastic laughter and splashy symbols abound assaulting ears with familiar jerky angularity that Modest Mouse accomplishes with splendid ease, and then smoothes out in melodic xylophone chorus, and back and forth. Many of the songs on the album manage to pull of this paradox. Don’t let this statement lead you to believe that it’s all a back and forth speedball, because some beautiful reprieves emerge here and there to pull you into a dreamy trance. Take “Little Motel” a delay filled wispy dreamer that feels ready to seduce you into bed. “Missed the Boat” is another pleasing break with a chorus that could make even the most hesitant sing along before it breaks back into the second verse. For the first single “Dashbaord” lead the march to the airwaves. Heavy kick! Horns! Violins! Chrous galore! This track is sure to land itself in heavy rotation on both indie and pop stations. The follow-up is likely to “Florida”, the track with a little vocal help from James Mercer of the Shins. Mercer also lent his hand to “Parting Of The Sensory”. The song starts off unassuming, and magical. The track builds to be filled with a fiddle fill that lends itself to an Outkast style stomp along.

The downfall of this album as most listeners will notice is that it really bounces from easy, to jagged sporaticaly mid song, and from song to song. Most will likely write it off as an effort that is thrown together sloppily. Others might find that Modest Mouse has continued down its pop make over and isn’t the same band they grew to love. They truly are smoother, and the sound is no longer as raw as it used to be. If you are looking for the Modest Mouse of “The Lonesome Crowded West” or even “The Moon and Antartica” it is likely you will be let down. If you are a late comer, or a fan of “Good News for People Who Love Bad News”, then this will likely be seen as the album that has broadened the bands ability, and sharpened the sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erc40wCxRZo

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Posted on March 26, 2007

Comments

4 Responses to “Modest Mouse: We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank”

Giovanna on March 26th, 2007 2:30 pm

I am utterly crazy about these guys, it was love at first listening…February 2007, ah the memories…

Education! Dashboard! We’ve got everything!!!!!!! Gosh I am about to cry…:D

Kendall on March 26th, 2007 2:37 pm

This year was the first year you heard them? Welcome to the Mouse club.

Rustycat on March 26th, 2007 2:52 pm

Ya, they’re an amazing band.

Charbarred on March 26th, 2007 5:01 pm

I was kinda suspicious of this album at first. I wasn’t really keen on “Bad News..” and was longing for the old sound. After listening to “we were dead” a few times, I realized that they finally achieved what they were trying to do on the previous album. I still need a few listens to really get it down, but so far it’s shaping up to be quite an exciting album.