Butterflyz

I've been listening to this cd (Good News For People Who Love Bad News) in high rotation with a few others (MCR, MM, Muse and Lostprophets) and decided to search for a thread... except there wasn't a thread. So alrighty, join the love and share it.

Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse began life as humbly as its name suggests, but after a couple of trial-and-error years, members Isaac Brock (guitar/vocals), Eric Judy (bass), and Jeremiah Green (drums) hit on the strange and compelling racket that buoyed them toward the top of the underground rock scene. On their first two albums, 1996's This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About and the 1997 breakthrough The Lonesome Crowded West, Brock's smart, cynical lyrics sharpened fine new points on God, booze, and loneliness; fans obsessed over his words and the group's raggedly passionate music, while big labels lined up to write the next check.

In 2000, The Moon & Antarctica proved that a sonic expansion—and the major-label budget making it possible—wouldn't derail the band. The album, which was remastered and reissued this year, ended up sounding stranger and more layered than Modest Mouse's independent releases. It's a disquieting, often uplifting downer that crystallized Brock's trouble-finds-me outlook, even vaguely referencing his biggest publicity nightmare: In 1999, he was accused of date rape, which got as much play in magazines and gossip circles as his music. (Police reports were filed, but Brock was never formally charged.) Over the next few years, The Moon & Antarctica sold well, as did his Ugly Casanova side project. But during the same stretch of time, Brock had his jaw broken by a stranger, upset fans by licensing songs for commercials, lost his longtime drummer, started and scrapped a new album, and spent a week and a half in jail for attempted murder.

Those signs might portend a dark, dour Modest Mouse album, but it's clear that the band has turned a corner. Passionate doubts and cynical examinations still surface on the new Good News For People Who Love Bad News, but the album also marks an adventurous stab at a sunnier side.


There's an interview with Issac Brock if you care, further to the link.
About

-becca-

I'm glad to see a thread started for Modest Mouse. I love this band and I think I listen to them way too much.

Thanks for the link to that interview!

Airie

I just heard "Float On" today and d it. And Butterflyz, I love your avatar!

Butterflyz

Yeah, Modest Mouse are ridiculously catchy I didn't think much of them until I borrowed the cd off my friend and listened to it. Now we trade lyrics all the time. "We've got the land, but they've got the view!"

Airie75: Thank you Your's is groovy too And your sig! It's Tiny Dancer isn't it? I love that song. One of my favourites ever!

deathofacat

I love Modest Mouse.

Currently listening to "The World At Large." Hmm. Sad-happy-cry-dance song. pretty.

silver_lined_cloud

I was listening to 'Satin in a Coffin' earlier. Heard 'The World At Large' on The OC.

deathofacat

They played it on the OC? That's horrifying. (No offense to fans of the OC.)

Radiant Gray

Modest Mouse is awesome. Haven't they been around for a while though? I got so tired of "Float On". Man was that song overplayed. But then, I heard "The World At Large" on Life As We Know It and just had to get their CD. I absolutely adore that song. I also love "Black Cadillacs".

a n d i

Modest Mouse is Love.

I only have Good News.... And a few songs on my computer.

Butterflyz

The OC! Ahh, am afraid. But no, that show has a weird lure. Ack.

Oh dear. I'm such a d!ck Haha. I already said that.

deathofacat

I only watched the OC once, but keep in mind that I was forced by my little sister. It's not a bad show, it's just not very, well, alright, I'll try not to offend anyone. But hey, I worship Jack and Bobby, so I'm a strange person. But back to Modest Mouse, I'm growing very fond of the song "Bukowski." Anyone else?

ETA: "But during the same stretch of time, Brock had his jaw broken by a stranger, upset fans by licensing songs for commercials, lost his longtime drummer, started and scrapped a new album, and spent a week and a half in jail for attempted murder."

-becca-

I'm with you on that one. Bukowski is a great song. One of my favorites.

And hey, about the OC.. I used to have the same attitude, but then I decided to try watching it, and I actually ended up loving the show... a lot. It's still always weird seeing bands that I've liked for years on the show - but what can you do.

deathofacat

Maybe I should give it another try. But for now, I worship J&B, and J&B alone. Anyway, on an MM note, I just listened to Good News from begining to end, and they really are one of the most unique bands I've ever heard. Very original.

-becca-

Well I can definitely see why you like J&B. It's a great show. When do new episodes start airing again?

Yeah, they definitely are a unique band.
Haha, I was listening to them the other day and my dad told me they were "weird sounding" - he said it was a good thing though and it just meant they were different. I don't know that I'd call their music "weird" but they definitely are different, and they definitely are good.

deathofacat

New eps start Jan. 26. I live for little else.

Anyone know when the next MM album is coming, or whether its in the works yet?