Good News For People Who Love Bad News
by Modest Mouse
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Apr 6, 2004
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 213 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 196 out of 213
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 213
  3. Negative: 11 out of 213

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  1. MarcusJ
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    At moments awe-inspiring. Some great standouts like Float On, Ocean Breaths Salty, and Bury Me With It. Great guitar and lyrics throughout. Weikel?s drumming is on par with Green?s work.
  2. Becky
    Feb 1, 2005
    9
    modest mouse kicks ass!Thats it!
  3. KennethS
    Mar 5, 2007
    10
    One of the best albums I've heard. Even the songs that are more difficult listens reveal their elegance within only a couple of times through. Modest Mouse is, plainly and simply, the only band right now doing anything truly original, yet it isn't stilted. They are a band with talent, skill, and vision--things difficult to come by. This is an album to listen to from start to One of the best albums I've heard. Even the songs that are more difficult listens reveal their elegance within only a couple of times through. Modest Mouse is, plainly and simply, the only band right now doing anything truly original, yet it isn't stilted. They are a band with talent, skill, and vision--things difficult to come by. This is an album to listen to from start to finish. It carries you through with enough beautiful melodies, like from "The View," in between that you don't become overly anxious or frustrated. If anyone says to me that no one makes decent music these days, one of the first places I'll point them to is this album, a true marvel of the last ten years.… Expand
  4. ThomasL
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    This is a fantastic album. I bought it at 8 this morning and I have already listened to it straight through 3 times. It isn't as immediately important and relevant as The Moon and Antartica seemed to be...but with each repeated listen it becomes more obvious that this album is a perfect companion piece to the already brilliant Modest Mouse catalog
  5. SandorC
    Apr 7, 2004
    10
    Not their best album, but better than anything else in existence.
  6. erike
    Apr 8, 2004
    9
    not their best, but damn close to it.
  7. MrStalin
    May 16, 2004
    9
    I'm kind of new to Modest Mouse - but, on the strength of this album they are indeed a great little band. Yeah okay, bits of it do sound like Tom Waits and Talking Heads ... but hey, that's no bad thing is it? Very impressed - and i will go in search of their previous albums quick smart! Are they gigging in England?
  8. yaright
    Jan 10, 2005
    9
    a great follow up to antartica.... less abstract and better structured songs.
  9. ParkerB
    Feb 5, 2005
    7
    It's hard to give it just a seven, but it pales in comparison to their other albums, most notably The Lonesome Crowded West. It sounds tamer and less cohesive, and Isaac Brock is not making the relavations that make previous albums so much more rewarding. Please get the exhilarating Lonesome Crowded West before this one as it is one of the top ten albums of the 1990s and Good News It's hard to give it just a seven, but it pales in comparison to their other albums, most notably The Lonesome Crowded West. It sounds tamer and less cohesive, and Isaac Brock is not making the relavations that make previous albums so much more rewarding. Please get the exhilarating Lonesome Crowded West before this one as it is one of the top ten albums of the 1990s and Good News might maybe crack the top ten of 2004. That being said, Good News is damn good if uneven.… Expand
  10. TMo
    Mar 7, 2005
    10
    the best of the best, but not as good or emotional as earlier stuff.... please dont sell out (crossing fingers)
  11. karlh
    Jan 8, 2006
    10
    a fantasticly beutiful alternitive indie album, one of my most listened to album of all time. this is one of my all time favourite albums, i rrecomend it to everyone
  12. MikeM
    Apr 10, 2004
    10
    Its not the moon and antarctica... but it's still good, really good.
  13. DevinB
    Apr 14, 2004
    9
    While still a strong CD by any standard, Good News is certainly NOT the best Modest Mouse CD yet, as some less informed have claimed. While the first half shimmers and sparkles under studio affectations, the songs are indelible and strong, both "Float On" and "Bury Me With It" are worthy of instant canonization with the best of Modest Mouse's work. However, the album fails to hold While still a strong CD by any standard, Good News is certainly NOT the best Modest Mouse CD yet, as some less informed have claimed. While the first half shimmers and sparkles under studio affectations, the songs are indelible and strong, both "Float On" and "Bury Me With It" are worthy of instant canonization with the best of Modest Mouse's work. However, the album fails to hold together cohesively, especially in the uneven second half, ushered in by the truly awful "Dance Hall." Although there are some gems here, like "Bukowski" and "Black Caddilacs," the ideas just don't come together to add up to anything more than the sum of their parts. And some of the parts leave a little to be desired. On the whole, this album is quite good, more than worthy of a good listen, as evidenced by its heavy rotation in my CD player. However, those who claim that this album eclipses the sprawling majesty of The Moon and Antarctica or the spastic genius of The Lonesome Crowded West are undoubtedly not familiar enough with those disks.… Expand
  14. ArtieS
    Apr 15, 2004
    10
    Amazing album with alot of upside. Definatley worth a purchase.
  15. markf
    Apr 27, 2004
    8
    I am new to Modest Mouse's world. True, I've heard about them for years, but I've been spending my time and money on the many other worthwhile bands out there. So whether you know everthing they've done by heart or not, I still believe my opinion on THIS album is very valid. I'm sure they've covered the mortality ground before but I wonder if it's ever I am new to Modest Mouse's world. True, I've heard about them for years, but I've been spending my time and money on the many other worthwhile bands out there. So whether you know everthing they've done by heart or not, I still believe my opinion on THIS album is very valid. I'm sure they've covered the mortality ground before but I wonder if it's ever been more valid with Dubya prancing around like Queen Bitch of the Universe (oops! maybe I should have just said Mister Macho.) I think MM and I are on the same wavelength as far as that. Now some critics/fans lament what seems to be a new Tom Waits fixation. I found this comparison rather negligible, but I would say that Frank Zappa's spirit is hanging around somewhere. Since I'm ignorant, I can't say that they exhibited Talking Heads inluences as much before, but it wouldn't surprise me. Finally, I will shut up about who Modest Mouse sometime sound like because for me they are a unique, powerful, entertaining and visionary group. I wouldn't be surprised if they make my top 10 come year end.… Expand
  16. JO
    Apr 5, 2004
    10
    Great album, definately one of the best of the year
  17. DomS.
    Apr 5, 2004
    9
    Some magnificent shit. Isaac Brock is insane, but the blade of his attack has been dulled beautifully. God bless that glorious redneck.
  18. WiL
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    i JUST got this album, ive listened to it 1.5 times all the way through so far. so this is merely first impression, but D*MN what an impression! pitchforkmedia is sometimes right about their reviews (MM's the moon an antartica, for example), but here, i must disagree. i commend any band for being creative, experimenting, yet still holding true to a signature sound, and modest mouse i JUST got this album, ive listened to it 1.5 times all the way through so far. so this is merely first impression, but D*MN what an impression! pitchforkmedia is sometimes right about their reviews (MM's the moon an antartica, for example), but here, i must disagree. i commend any band for being creative, experimenting, yet still holding true to a signature sound, and modest mouse have proven themselves the best at it time and time again. they have been my favorite band for years, and this album only strengthens my affections. of course, if i get tired of it by, like, tomorrow, i will repost. but dont expect to hear from me again!… Collapse
  19. NickM
    Apr 6, 2004
    10
    Wicked Album, nearly..nearly as good as lonsome crowded west!
  20. jacp
    Apr 6, 2004
    7
    Not as good as other MM albums. But different. I perfer the abrasive nature of the band rather then the pop hooks
  21. EelA
    Apr 7, 2004
    9
    "Good news..." lacks the depth of "Moon and Antarctica," but so what? Modest Mouse is still a group on top of their game, and isn't that the most we can ask of a group that has consistantly kicked so much ass? This album may not go down in history as the best Modest Mouse album ever, but it is still pretty damn good.
  22. chrisb
    Apr 8, 2004
    10
    Buy afr, the best album of the decade!!
  23. AdrianL
    Apr 9, 2004
    10
    its great, i love the change in there sound, ive heard this band grow up for years, and now it seems they r right were they should be
  24. EvanK
    May 3, 2004
    10
    It was honestly one of the best and most amazings albums yet!
  25. Lifeisstillsweet
    Jun 11, 2004
    10
    If this was the end of Modest Mouse, their catalog of albums would seem complete to me. At no point in this band's career did they degress. This album is climactic. How could Modest Mouse possibly create a better album. The band must be completely drained of creative energy. I guess I'm just a little worried that nothing will ever sound as good as "good news" to a person who If this was the end of Modest Mouse, their catalog of albums would seem complete to me. At no point in this band's career did they degress. This album is climactic. How could Modest Mouse possibly create a better album. The band must be completely drained of creative energy. I guess I'm just a little worried that nothing will ever sound as good as "good news" to a person who loves bad news. I hope Modest mouse proves me wrong. … Expand
  26. jo
    Jun 3, 2004
    10
    I love Issac!!!!
  27. JoeyM
    Sep 22, 2004
    9
    Quite an excellent album on its own terms. Yes, Modest Mouse has had some albums that are even better, but that doesn't make this one bad - just good in a different way.
  28. KellyWalrus
    Feb 20, 2005
    10
    Rarely, if ever, can I listen to a record non-stop for days on end without changing my disc. Modest Mouse, needless to say, has achieved what many other "indie" bands, or any other band, have tried to achieve this year with there fourth album. What Mouse has produced is an album that marries accessible pop songs without alienating their long running fanbase. The result is a beautiful, yet Rarely, if ever, can I listen to a record non-stop for days on end without changing my disc. Modest Mouse, needless to say, has achieved what many other "indie" bands, or any other band, have tried to achieve this year with there fourth album. What Mouse has produced is an album that marries accessible pop songs without alienating their long running fanbase. The result is a beautiful, yet thrashy album that deserves more praise than any other band or album this year.… Expand
  29. nickr
    Jun 27, 2005
    10
    one of the best albums of all time !!!!!!
  30. BrandonS
    Mar 12, 2006
    9
    I really enjoyed this album for what it was. It amazes me that anyone who's never heard any modest mouse can call this anything less than a masterpeice. Radiohead is about the only mainstream music that could possibly compete with THIS album, and in my opinion, modest mouse's older work is holy. The CD was amazing, but barely scratches the surface on possibly the greatest band ever.
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Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best Album of 2004
13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2004
45
#45 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Nude As The News
    60
    A lot of major label-imposed ideas, like rhythm guitar and a heartbreakingly conventional new bass sound, combine to utterly ruin the record's first half. If you can make it through to News' innards, however, an EP's worth of something like better-recorded, more thought-out Lonesome Crowded West material awaits.
    Read full review
  2. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Weathered now, their herky-jerk stands up smartly to interjections from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    60
    [Brock is] adept at wringing out emotion while straddling sentimentality, but too often here, gauche studio affectations make his sap sound plain cheap. [Apr 2004, p.134]
See all critic reviews »