A truly disappointing record
John Carswell | Franklin, TN | 08/11/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"MODEST MOUSE
GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE BAD NEWS
EPIC; 2003
MY RATING: 38/100
Isaac Brock and I would not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things; we view the world through exceedingly different lenses. However, as an artist, I nonetheless respect him, and really enjoy the overall sound of his band. I've been spinning Mouse records since `97 or so, and the first four years of the band's recorded output providing something of a soundtrack to the aimless nights of my youth. His early records in particular, though bitter and a bit twisted, bore an indelible melodic sweetness and sympathy underneath the rough exterior that belied a deep and unique soulfulness on his part. What I'm trying to say is that I speak as a fan. However, I'm sad to say that MM's fourth album is a monotonous screed of depraved bitterness and metaphysical angst, with the soul of it all and the sense of humor markedly absent. It's not like I haven't tried. I REALLY dig "Float On," and I chuckled when I saw it covered in a FORD commercial on American Idol. Similiary, "Blame it on the Tetons" is as pathetically righteous a track as "Custom Concern" or "Trailer Trash," so I gotta respect. But that's about it. "Ocean Breathes Salty" might have been a strong b-side, but it's just a bit too disonant to register as single-quality Mouse. "The Good Times Are Killing Me" sounds promising, but fails to deliver in the way "Styrofoam Boots" did on THE LONESOME CROWDED WEST. You can have the rest; there's just not a whole lot here to get excited about. A truly disappointing record.
TRACKS:
1.Horn Intro
2. The World at Large (3/5)
3. Float On (5/5)
4. Ocean Breathes Salty (3/5)
5. Dig Your Grave
6. Bury Me With It (2/5)
7. Dance Hall (2.5/5)
8. Bukowski (2.5/5)
9. This Devil's Workday (2/5)
10. The View (2/5)
11. Satin in a Coffin (2/5)
12. Interlude (Milo)
13. Blame it on the Tetons (4.5/5)
14. Black Cadillacs (3/5)
15. One Chance (2.5/5)
16. The Good Times Are Killing Me (4/5)"