True Genius
Modest Mouse are kooky, charismatic and infinitely creative;forming tunes that feel like beautifully crafted collage landscapes, full of colour and variety. Opener 'March Into The Sea' is like being in mind of schizophrenic as the pleasant wafts of sea shanty boat trip are suddenly turned on their head by rabid vocal ravings. 'Florida' has a similar dynamic as unbridled scatty vocals with a hint of Frank Black are mixed with mellow beats and a sunny sing-song coda, "Florida, Florida wasn't far enough".
In 'Dashboard' disco beats meet with impatient indie, it's a choppy bright little number that will get your feet tapping, while another incensed indie floorfiller 'We've Got Everything' sports insistent simple vocal outbursts which match the jabbing guitars; so this is where Johnny Marr's sharp guitar sounds are being put into play. These electric disco numbers are truly gems on this album, acting as a normalising influence over the more madcap tunes, although they still excite, perhaps even more so than the others. While still being upbeat, 'Education' has more of a funk beat with a strutting bassline keeping order over Brock's chaotic howls.
'Parting Of The Sensory' has a more grinding, disturbed dimension to it, with violins lamenting in the background while a double bass' aching cries like those of a beached whale stir the listener even before stormy guitar chords crash through like the sound of a storm breaking, the melodrama is equal to that of let's say, Tenacious D's 'Tribute' but far more sincere. The ferocious chorus and scrambling guitarwork of 'Spitting Venom' are another high point, which acoustic guitar sections forming a stark contrast to these blistering electro explosions, which an 8 minute duration there's plenty of time for this dramatic number to twist and turn its way through plenty of other combinations of instruments; wistful ringing guitar notes, piping brass, and the now standard vocal ramblings, which somehow sound even less lucid than usual. It's not all outlandish offkilter revelry though; 'Little Motel' takes things down a notch, a pensive number with a glassy tone and gently picked acoustic guitars.
One of the most far out numbers is 'Fly Trapped In A Jar', which features Isaac Brock's yodelling vocals emphasising, "One wing wasn't even enough to live" before a smouldering rhythm emerges. Closer 'Invisible' is a phenomenal choice to wrap up, 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank', its rhythm struts and it sees Brock at his most impassioned, creating a fierce lasting impression on the listener.
Modest Mouse certainly have a knack for creating unique grooves and fascinating records, ensuring that even with 14 tracks and a length of over an hour, 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank' could never be described as dull and you find yourself gripped by each new tune. If you buy one album this summer, make it this one, you'll be dining out on the massive variety of tunes for months!