We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
by Modest Mouse
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Mar 20, 2007
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 256 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 226 out of 256
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 256
  3. Negative: 12 out of 256

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  1. AlejandroE
    Apr 9, 2007
    8
    It's pretty great, but what i'm concerned about is that the sound gets a little like, the smiths
  2. AlexL
    May 10, 2007
    10
    Personally I love this album. I don't think people should forge opinions on what they expect to hear, rather on what they do actually hear. As far as selling out is concerned, I have to ask how you would define your argument. You can't be angry with musicians simply on the basis that they've become popular and made some money (it is slightly hypocritical considering that it Personally I love this album. I don't think people should forge opinions on what they expect to hear, rather on what they do actually hear. As far as selling out is concerned, I have to ask how you would define your argument. You can't be angry with musicians simply on the basis that they've become popular and made some money (it is slightly hypocritical considering that it was your fanship that made them so, with the exception of greenday, they are rubbish now). If anything you should be happy that this allows them to develop music with better equipment and produce essentially better music. The best tracks on this album (in my opinion) are Florida, Dashboard, Spitting Venom and We've got everything.… Expand
  3. GregS
    May 7, 2007
    9
    I'm disgusted that Marr is referred to as a, "Hook specialist," by the Village voice. Rating this album 60 out of 100 clearly shows some hostility as the Village voice is normally unbiased. My hat goes off to Brock and Marr for putting this album together without expectation. They relied on their talent and intuited their fans would appreciate their music. I enjoy most songs to the I'm disgusted that Marr is referred to as a, "Hook specialist," by the Village voice. Rating this album 60 out of 100 clearly shows some hostility as the Village voice is normally unbiased. My hat goes off to Brock and Marr for putting this album together without expectation. They relied on their talent and intuited their fans would appreciate their music. I enjoy most songs to the point of feeling included on their journey of the human experience. Sometimes assault is the only way to get a point accross.… Expand
  4. Djimi
    Jun 14, 2007
    10
    More pure quality from Modest Mouse. I think some critics are just being pathetic and trying to go against the grain by giving it mediocre reviews just because they've become popular and had good sales, 'cos it really is a great band on top form.
  5. VidM
    Aug 13, 2007
    8
    Solid.
  6. VinceK
    Feb 26, 2008
    8
    Love the first 6 songs. Rest of the album is good too, but kinda blended together for me. My favorite by far is the last minute of Parting of the Sensory...fiddle-tastic!!!!!!!!
  7. G_do
    Dec 29, 2007
    9
    I expected some more Johnny Marr signature in the guitar sound, but it's a great record. Everything sounds so fresh and lively. Not all songs are really great and I think it was even better when 2 or 3 tracks were not included , but the finest moments are simply damn brilliant.
  8. kendallj
    Feb 16, 2007
    9
    modest is pure bliss.
  9. JohnStamos
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I love this album more than my mom
  10. tylerc
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Good News was somewhat dissapointing to me but not bad. This album more than makes up for it.
  11. ryanh
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    The culmination of their carreer. While it's not their best album, it sitll encompasses pieces of everything they've done.
  12. Robert
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Another Great MM album
  13. Kyle
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    Great!! Modest Mouse was obviously not dead before the ship even sank.
  14. GeorgeH
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    Awsome. Their killer discography grows and grows.
  15. codyg
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    absolutely amazing
  16. Ben
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    Long awaited. Unexpectedly lives up to lofty expectations.
  17. nicoleh
    Mar 14, 2007
    5
    I must be going bananas because everyone else loves this album where as I see it as a one of there worst. I find the album to be too poppy, sloppy, and unbalanced. Some say its there most approachable album but is that a good thing? Issac's talent for songwriting has always stood out to me and I feel this time around he isnt writing music that means something to him- but instead for I must be going bananas because everyone else loves this album where as I see it as a one of there worst. I find the album to be too poppy, sloppy, and unbalanced. Some say its there most approachable album but is that a good thing? Issac's talent for songwriting has always stood out to me and I feel this time around he isnt writing music that means something to him- but instead for the masses and that troubles me.… Expand
  18. supersean
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    best album yet
  19. Scott
    Mar 16, 2007
    8
    Blew me away with its greatness
  20. LyleR
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    Awesome
  21. TylerT
    Mar 16, 2007
    7
    Am I crazy?? This album is ok at best. I have been a rabid fan for 7 years, and I believe this is their weekest point. It is not "bad" but it nowhere compares to the other albums... even good news. It feels rushed as hell, and little poppy, and a little too slow. I just saw them live on wednesday, and the songs are better live, but nothing compared to the older songs they were playing.
  22. Rick
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    Excellent album, well worth the wait. Favorite tracks are "Parting of the Sensory" and "March Into The Sea".
  23. RyanM
    Mar 16, 2007
    5
    So this what Modest Mouse sounds like mainstream? After GNFPWLB you had to figure this was the direction they were headed.
  24. dang
    Mar 17, 2007
    2
    are you people crazy? this album is terrible. it's a bunch of attempts at another float on, and none of them are anywhere near as good. it has a few good tracks though.
  25. MalcolmP
    Mar 17, 2007
    9
    Sublime - what a year for indie!
  26. JoeH
    Mar 17, 2007
    10
    This album was surprisingly stellar upon firs listen. I am drunk, and it's St. patty's day, so I'll be brief. The album is fantastic, a little bit more conceptually coherent than Good News, yet there's a lot more of an overall identity between the songs. Standouts are 'We've Got Everything' (NEEDS TO BE A SINGLE), Steam Engenius, Missed the Boat, Parting This album was surprisingly stellar upon firs listen. I am drunk, and it's St. patty's day, so I'll be brief. The album is fantastic, a little bit more conceptually coherent than Good News, yet there's a lot more of an overall identity between the songs. Standouts are 'We've Got Everything' (NEEDS TO BE A SINGLE), Steam Engenius, Missed the Boat, Parting of the Sensory, and Dashboard. Ps. Music fans of all ages will be in a total state of listening bliss for atleast the first 13 seconds of People as Places as People. That song is a masterpiece.… Expand
  27. Seeds13
    Mar 18, 2007
    3
    This album frankly sounds awful and very unsatisfying compared to Modest Mouse's prior work. However, I can see this one having a great benefit if you are looking for a headache. For some reason, Modest Mouse continues to crank up the bass and stray away from creativity and the poignancy that made them great in the first place. The shock upon first hearing this album can be compared This album frankly sounds awful and very unsatisfying compared to Modest Mouse's prior work. However, I can see this one having a great benefit if you are looking for a headache. For some reason, Modest Mouse continues to crank up the bass and stray away from creativity and the poignancy that made them great in the first place. The shock upon first hearing this album can be compared to that of first hearing the Dave Matthews Band tribute to selling out several years back. But M.M. did come away with a couple of decent songs in Fire It Up and Fly Trapped In A Jar. These two don't feel entirely soulless and perhaps are the only ones with directions from the band's past. I will say that Modest Mouse is looking ahead, but in a way that is not befitting. Why have they now taken a dark path away from the things that made them so pure and original. It's of course the path of the industry and the money. I think I am going to go scalp my ticket of interest for the neo-Modest Mouse.… Expand
  28. fwa
    Mar 19, 2007
    4
    this album is painfully mediocre. Worst mm album yet.
  29. JtothaAA
    Mar 19, 2007
    9
    A fantastically guitar driven album, that sums up their entire career. Supurbly catchy and complicated at the same time. A must own for all rock fans.
  30. EddM
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    Modest Mouseisthe best band ever. I give everyone of there songs, albums, or videos a 10!
  31. MM
    Mar 19, 2007
    10
    Zach S just kill youeself this album is great. 100/10 if I could.
  32. StephanieA
    Mar 21, 2007
    2
    what is isaac brock complaining about? the lyrics are terrible. theyve completely sold out.
  33. james
    Mar 22, 2007
    3
    just listen to the moon and antartica.
  34. samh
    Mar 22, 2007
    3
    another uninspiring album from these guys. loved everything they did up to and including moon and antarctica.
  35. pulpiepulpmaster
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    I think this album's awsome. Even though I kinda miss their slower songs like The Good Times and most of the songs on The Moon & Antarctica, It's still a good album. People are sayin that It's poppier, but what about Float On and The View? And they're sayin that it's rushed, but what about the fact that it's been 3 years since Good News and between 2000 and I think this album's awsome. Even though I kinda miss their slower songs like The Good Times and most of the songs on The Moon & Antarctica, It's still a good album. People are sayin that It's poppier, but what about Float On and The View? And they're sayin that it's rushed, but what about the fact that it's been 3 years since Good News and between 2000 and 2001, they came out with 3 cds?(The Moon & Antarctica, Everywhere And His Nasty Parlour Tricks, Sad Sappy Sucker) All in all, great album.… Expand
  36. brookec
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    I can't even begin to express the delight I have for this fifth album. It is varied, dark and light. They can do no wrong in my book. Issac Brock is a brilliant lyricist and no-rules singer.
  37. AdamB
    Mar 22, 2007
    10
    Ranks #1 or #2 on my Modest Mouse list.
  38. EricC
    Mar 23, 2007
    7
    Here's the problem Modest Mouse has created for themselves. They were once an amzing band. People who have been following them since they released The Lonely Crowded West know this. But they remained pretty much under the radar, until they created that one song, Float On. Then they obviously realized that this mainstreem sound sells better than their indy sound, though their previous Here's the problem Modest Mouse has created for themselves. They were once an amzing band. People who have been following them since they released The Lonely Crowded West know this. But they remained pretty much under the radar, until they created that one song, Float On. Then they obviously realized that this mainstreem sound sells better than their indy sound, though their previous stuff had been better. So now this is Modest Mouse, trying to appeal to the same people who listen to The Shins and The Arcade Fire, huge comercial successes. This isn't a bad cd, though. It's just no where near as good as Crowded West or The Moon in Antartica. If you got in to them with Good News for People Who Love Bad News, than you should be ecstatic to know that there's more of the same. But if you're like me and got in to them when they had their own amazing sound, than you can't help but be disapointed. Not bad, but hopefully we'll see a relapse in their style. No song on here comes close to older songs like Teeth Like God's Shoeshine or 3rd Planet.… Expand
  39. Brendan
    Mar 23, 2007
    10
    On the first listen, it's great. On the second listen, it's absolutely amazing. By the third listen, it's one of my favorite albums.
  40. JohnDoe
    Mar 26, 2007
    9
    Excellent. Really good, especially the tracks where James Mercer collaborates. Catchy, and more main stream than previous albums but still has the Modest Mouse edge. Not my favorite album from them (The Moon and Antarctica) but certainly a step in the right direction from Good News.
  41. maryv
    Apr 16, 2007
    9
    though this album comes off as all too packed at first, it pulls you in the next day and then never lets go. something that helped my listening was reading over the lyrics while the cd player was jamming...the lyrics are gorgeous, interesting but never shouting. i haven't stopped it in 4 days. (unussual for me)
  42. MichaelC
    Apr 17, 2007
    6
    Not as good as I first though. Dashboard was pretty darn catchy (and how about that music video?) and Florida is one of their best. But the rest of the cd? Too forgettable. They lack the style they had years ago. It's too bad. Modest Mouse is one of my favorites. And by the way TBone (hopefully your parents didn't actually name you that) don't you dare talk trash about Tv Not as good as I first though. Dashboard was pretty darn catchy (and how about that music video?) and Florida is one of their best. But the rest of the cd? Too forgettable. They lack the style they had years ago. It's too bad. Modest Mouse is one of my favorites. And by the way TBone (hopefully your parents didn't actually name you that) don't you dare talk trash about Tv on the Radio. There's a band that actually still rocks.… Expand
  43. JaycobT
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    Listened to the whole thing through about three times now and I'm floored. Not really a low point on the album, every song has its appeal. The strongest songs, in my opinion, were Dashboard, Motel and Spitting Venom. Regardless, they were all amazing :)
  44. JohnnyD
    Apr 26, 2007
    10
    Great record. There's so many hooks on this album, every track sounds like it could be a single.
  45. gokhank.
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    exclusive
  46. Vampire25
    Jan 6, 2011
    7
    We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank has some really good tracks on it. Modest Mouse has made another solid album. The sound of it is a little different from their previous work "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". It sounds pretty good for the most part. My favorite song on the album is "Spitting Venom". Amazing song. And "Dashboard", "Little Motel", and "Fire It Up" are all greatWe Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank has some really good tracks on it. Modest Mouse has made another solid album. The sound of it is a little different from their previous work "Good News For People Who Love Bad News". It sounds pretty good for the most part. My favorite song on the album is "Spitting Venom". Amazing song. And "Dashboard", "Little Motel", and "Fire It Up" are all great tracks. All In All, a solid album with a handful of great tracks. B… Expand
  47. aSsh0le
    Dec 19, 2010
    10
    Very good album but to me Good News for People Who Love Bad News was better, although Little motel is one of their best songs IMO. I wish Autumn beds was released in this album.
  48. Ricko
    Sep 22, 2015
    7
    I love "The Lonesome Crowded West". "The Moon and Antarctica" is a great record. "Good News" is a close to the perfect indie rock record as you get. Unfortunately "We Were Dead..." doesn't entice me in the same way as those aforementioned records. Of course it Modest Mouse with the legendary Johnny Marr in tow so we were always going to have a good album but too often the songs (and theI love "The Lonesome Crowded West". "The Moon and Antarctica" is a great record. "Good News" is a close to the perfect indie rock record as you get. Unfortunately "We Were Dead..." doesn't entice me in the same way as those aforementioned records. Of course it Modest Mouse with the legendary Johnny Marr in tow so we were always going to have a good album but too often the songs (and the record) drags. Take "Fire It Up" for example - a great track but it just sounds repetitive after 3 minutes and we still get another 90 seconds of it. There are many other examples like this. It's when the band are sharp and snappy (take "Florida" for example) that they blow you away. It is a record that rewards repeated listens and is a worthwhile listen but primary issue is the fact that it clocks in at over an hour when for me it really only has the stamina and substance to be a 45 minute player.… Expand
  49. JoaoRodarte
    Nov 3, 2011
    10
    This album contains, in its tracklist (14 songs), 4 of my favorite songs and a couple of more awesome songs that everybody should listen to.

    I highly recommend this for anyone who likes to mix songs with feelings.
  50. starsbedivided
    Jul 7, 2013
    7
    Not as good as "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" or "The Moon & Antarctica", and definitely not as good as "The Lonesome Crowded West", but it's an ok album.
  51. Scratch
    Jan 23, 2017
    10
    It honestly is, to me, the perfect musical experience. It has a theme, it takes you on a grand adventure, it is musically astonishing by being both catchy and having depth, and it's just plain fun. There is no lack of Isaac Brock's style here; it is Modest Mouse through and through, and it doesn't get better than this.
  52. DotComGaming
    Oct 25, 2018
    10
    The greatest MM album I've heard. It has the best songs, with a lot of variety. i could listen to this album for 10000000 eons and never be bored of it. This album gets me pumped and happy and relaxed... this is the best album I've ever listened to.
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2007
56
#56 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Blender
    90
    Is there another "Float On"? It scarcely matters: 10 years into their career, Modest Mouse have stumbled into their best album yet. [Mar 2007, p.137]
  2. Under The Radar
    90
    Not just an album that revisits the dancey guitar-pop that made "Float On" an unlikely #1 hit, but sharpens and emboldens it for their most accessible album to date. [#16, p.93]
  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    Like everything the band has released since signing with Epic in the teeth of a millennial panic, it's louder and somewhat less twisty than the group's indie output.
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