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. 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.
  2. 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)
  3. EduardoA
    Feb 25, 2007
    8
    Good album, sometimes they start wandering around, but it's the least of the times. It's great to be able to hear a whole Modest Mouse album without feeling like something is just noisy and giving me an earache as it happened to me with 'Good news from people who love bad news'. P.S: 8 because the record sometimes seems overproduced.
  4. ChrisC
    Mar 19, 2007
    8
    WWDBTSES is Modest Mouse's most dense and clamorous album yet, for sure... it pulls you in and then moves forward with power, all push and shove. The only thing this album lacks is some of the quiet thoughtfulness found on Good News and even more prominent on The Moon and Antarctica. Towards the end of the album, I find myself craving the beauty and humility of songs like "Gravity WWDBTSES is Modest Mouse's most dense and clamorous album yet, for sure... it pulls you in and then moves forward with power, all push and shove. The only thing this album lacks is some of the quiet thoughtfulness found on Good News and even more prominent on The Moon and Antarctica. Towards the end of the album, I find myself craving the beauty and humility of songs like "Gravity Rides Everything", "Lives", or "Blame It On The Tetons", and this desire is never quite met.… Expand
  5. MichaelK
    Mar 21, 2007
    8
    For all the die-hard Modest Mouse fans who cringed at the success of "Float On," do yourself a favor and please don't just write this album off. All the elements are here that make Modest Mouse what they are- Brock's charismatic growl, clever wordplay and lyrics, the obtuse and the catchy always warring with each other, and even a hint of "Moon and Antarctica" style darkness. For all the die-hard Modest Mouse fans who cringed at the success of "Float On," do yourself a favor and please don't just write this album off. All the elements are here that make Modest Mouse what they are- Brock's charismatic growl, clever wordplay and lyrics, the obtuse and the catchy always warring with each other, and even a hint of "Moon and Antarctica" style darkness. Sure, it may be hummable enough to drive away the elitists, and off-kilter enough to alienate some casual listeners, yet that was what Modest Mouse have always been- they never sit easy, and it's this that makes them unique. Sure to be one of the best indie-rock releases of this year. So you know, however, this comes from a MM fan who considers "Good News" to be their best album ;) ...… Expand
  6. jm
    Mar 24, 2007
    8
    I didn't expect to like this album as much as I do. it has the mainstream qualities of good news but the sound is much more reminiscent of their older work, of which I have been a long-time fan. if there is anything wrong with the album, is that modest mouse stays in their comfort zone, instead of trying to be a little out-there, which means there aren't really any awful tracks, I didn't expect to like this album as much as I do. it has the mainstream qualities of good news but the sound is much more reminiscent of their older work, of which I have been a long-time fan. if there is anything wrong with the album, is that modest mouse stays in their comfort zone, instead of trying to be a little out-there, which means there aren't really any awful tracks, but nothing incredible either. also I don't really like the affectation isaac brok's voice picked up on good news, but that comes and goes on the disc. overall a suprise album for a long-time fan.… Expand
  7. matto
    Mar 20, 2007
    8
    Great record all around. Sure, some of the songs try a little to hard to be the next FLOAT ON, but others are very true to their roots. Best effort they have made in a while.
  8. IanR.
    Mar 16, 2007
    8
    When I first heard this album, I was really dissappointed. I've been a Modest Mouse fan for a long time, and I felt that these songs just weren't as fully developed as some of their other stuff. But the more I listened to it, the more I started noticing some really great things going on. Right now, it's really the only thing I've been listening to (I haven't When I first heard this album, I was really dissappointed. I've been a Modest Mouse fan for a long time, and I felt that these songs just weren't as fully developed as some of their other stuff. But the more I listened to it, the more I started noticing some really great things going on. Right now, it's really the only thing I've been listening to (I haven't listened to Neon Bible nearly as much as We Were Dead...). There is a lot of the angular funk guitar like on "The View" from Good News ("Florida," "Dashboard," "We've Got Everything," "Fly Trapped in a Jar," "Steam Engenius"). The songwriting definitely hasn't gotten any poppier since Good News. I'd say there isn't a "Float On" anywhere on the album, but there is a "Gravity Rides Everything" in "Missed the Boat." I personally like James Mercer's guest spots. They're not too extensive (he provides vocal harmonies on "Missed the Boat," a fun "whoooooa" type of thing on "Florida," and an echo to Brock's vocals on "We've Got Everything") but they add a nice flavor while they last. Johnny Marr's guitar is more cosmetic than anything, and I feel like it simply adds some texture as opposed to changing Modest Mouse's sound at all. "Spitting Venom" is my favorite track at the moment, an eight-and-a-half-minute long song that starts off like one of the weirder acoustic tracks off of Good News and eventually rocks as hard as any of the heavier tracks off of The Moon and Antarctica. I don't know, I like the album a lot. It's probably not as great as The Lonesome Crowded, The Moon and Antarctica, or Building Nothing Out of Something, and I think it's too early to tell if it's better than Good News. If you didn't like the last album, you most likely won't like this one. But if you're open-minded and give We Were Dead a good amount of listens, it will sink in.… Expand
  9. DiabloP
    Mar 23, 2007
    8
    Why do people complain when bands change or don't stay the way that they were when they were young and hungry? Modest Mouse fans seemed to be of two mind thoughts.......blah blah blah blah blah blah. I digress ...good album ...good band...maybe not as "modest", but more than prepared to make you want more.
  10. SamC
    Mar 9, 2007
    8
    so many great tracks. doesn't flow as well some of mm's previous work, but still great. fav tracks are march into the sea, spitting venom and missed the boat. parting of the sensory is great as well. if "we've got everything" and "fly trapped in a jar" did not exist, it would be 10/10.
  11. johnw
    Apr 2, 2007
    8
    Great album!
  12. BenG
    Apr 3, 2007
    8
    Entertaining, eclectic enough to give a few extra listens, but I've begun to give up on the possibility of another 'Lonesome Crowded West'
  13. 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
  14. VidM
    Aug 13, 2007
    8
    Solid.
  15. 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!!!!!!!!
  16. Scott
    Mar 16, 2007
    8
    Blew me away with its greatness
  17. theboneykingofnowhere
    Mar 17, 2007
    7
    Blender: Is there another "Float On"? It scarcely matters: 10 years into their career, Modest Mouse have stumbled into their best album yet. Ok their seminal work is the Moon and Antarctica, hands down. This cd is ok but that's it, ok. I do think they have improved upon the sound that they developed for Good News however, I remember a time when Modest Mouse didn't need guest Blender: Is there another "Float On"? It scarcely matters: 10 years into their career, Modest Mouse have stumbled into their best album yet. Ok their seminal work is the Moon and Antarctica, hands down. This cd is ok but that's it, ok. I do think they have improved upon the sound that they developed for Good News however, I remember a time when Modest Mouse didn't need guest spots from James Mercer or that dude from the Flaming Lips on the last album to make an incredible album. Also, Isaac, what the hell happened to the whammy bar dude?… Expand
  18. LucasK
    Mar 17, 2007
    7
    it's alright. not that good or not that bad. Only bad thing is that... IT's so damn dancy, I mean, listen to that beat...
  19. Myles
    Mar 19, 2007
    7
    It is put together quite well, but it's not the same Mouse I've come to know. This is over the hill Modest Mouse. I understand how they all need to pay their electric bills and I do think it sounds great, but it lacks intensity and those amazing lyrics that make you wonder and you have to think long and hard about what he's saying, instead of repeating the same chorus about It is put together quite well, but it's not the same Mouse I've come to know. This is over the hill Modest Mouse. I understand how they all need to pay their electric bills and I do think it sounds great, but it lacks intensity and those amazing lyrics that make you wonder and you have to think long and hard about what he's saying, instead of repeating the same chorus about 4 times.… Expand
  20. DanM
    Mar 21, 2007
    7
    I've been nervous about this album for months. I'm one of the few long time fans who actually enjoyed "Good News...", specifically "Ocean Breathes Salty." Still, I felt it to be the weakest of their albums mainly do to less interesting and challenging lyrics, which were always the highlight of the band to me. Ironically, the poppier songs had better lyrics than most of the I've been nervous about this album for months. I'm one of the few long time fans who actually enjoyed "Good News...", specifically "Ocean Breathes Salty." Still, I felt it to be the weakest of their albums mainly do to less interesting and challenging lyrics, which were always the highlight of the band to me. Ironically, the poppier songs had better lyrics than most of the more "traditional" Modest Mouse songs. Strangely, that holds on this album as well. The music is far more accessible than ever before... meaning that it isn't as experimental and inspiring as say "Lonesome Crowded West" and "Antarctica and the Moon." Still, Brock writes some amazing songs on this album that are honest, poignant, intelligent, and intoxicating enjoyable that nearly top that of their penultimate "Antarctica and the Moon." I feel if this album had the brilliant music work of "Lonesome Crowded West" instead of what ended up here, it would probably be by far their best album. Sadly, that is an impossibility. The music itself isn't bad per sé, but it just seems to lack the true essence of Modest Mouse. They don't seem to be even trying anymore in that area anymore outside of "Invisible", "Steam Ingenius," and "Spitting Venom." Still, Isaac Brock proves once again that he can arrange words to form one amazing song... lyrically at least.… Expand
  21. johns
    Apr 4, 2007
    7
    Some say that good news was modest mouses first step towards irrelevancy. It was not. This however is a truly incredible bands first mediocre record. March into the sea as well as spitting venom are modest mouse at their finest however the rest of the album finds lyrical genius issac brock writing the most embarssing lyrics of his carreer.maybe hes lost it.
  22. Matthew
    Jun 18, 2007
    7
    It loses a bit after repeated listens, but it delivers several great tracks that almost have a "Lonesome Crowded West" era feel to them. We Were Dead mixes accessability with typical Modest Mouse idiosyncracies to create what is perhaps their most listenable album yet.
  23. AndrewM
    Mar 16, 2007
    7
    "Dead" is a delightful album. While many draw comparisons to "Good News", it truly harkens back to what some consider their best album, "The Moon and Antarctica". "Dead" may have that poppier sound that is often associated with the first few tracks off of "Good News" in places (a sound that didn't quite jive at times with the rest of the album's tracks, such as "Bukowski"), but "Dead" is a delightful album. While many draw comparisons to "Good News", it truly harkens back to what some consider their best album, "The Moon and Antarctica". "Dead" may have that poppier sound that is often associated with the first few tracks off of "Good News" in places (a sound that didn't quite jive at times with the rest of the album's tracks, such as "Bukowski"), but it picks up the pieces where "Good News" fell apart by being a cohesive album rather than a, albeit great, disjointed collection of songs. "Dead" isn't as deep as their previous works, such as "Building Nothing Out of Something" or, again, "The Moon and Antarctica" and it may not have the consistently angry drawl of "Lonesome Crowded West" that many fans associate with the group, but it stands on its own merits all the same, namely with the opening track titled "march into the sea", "parting of the sensory", and the incredible closing track "invisible". Again, unlike "Good News", these heavier tracks are Supported by the peppier sound of tracks such as "Dashboard" (which I did not enjoy particularly by itself), rather than hindered, because this time around, as a whole the album sticks to a theme pretty well which lends it a sense of coherence. So why the 7? That's the problem with reviewing music. I listened to the album repeatedly after getting it and enjoyed it immensely, but over time it starts to wear itself out and show some of its inadequacies as an album. Who knows though, I may just not be in a mood for the music and so what I consider inadequacies may later be considered positive attributes. I will say, for reference, that Lonesome Crowded West is my favorite album, which, if the people I've spoken with are any indication, is kind of a rarity for modest mouse fans and hopefully offers some insight into the score.… Expand
  24. Mick
    Mar 20, 2007
    7
    Good album, not as good as their last though
  25. ObsceneMinstrel
    Mar 23, 2007
    7
    At first I was completely put off by this album, but even though I was telling myself I hated it I felt compelled to listen to it over and over again. Even the songs I thought were totally silly like "Fire It Up" and "Spitting Venom" eventually grew on me. This album's problem is that it doesn't flow very well. That's probably because it's essentially about five or six At first I was completely put off by this album, but even though I was telling myself I hated it I felt compelled to listen to it over and over again. Even the songs I thought were totally silly like "Fire It Up" and "Spitting Venom" eventually grew on me. This album's problem is that it doesn't flow very well. That's probably because it's essentially about five or six incredible songs with some interesting filler. Not to say that Modest Mouse got lazy, there are just some experiments that didn't work out as well as I bet they thought they would. Oh, yeah, Johnny Marr played on it and James Mercer guested.. I guess everyone's gotta mention that in their review. Marr's influence is less subtle than I thought originally, and I think Brock can write a great tune without bringing in an idea-less guitarist that hasn't released a damn thing worth listening to since The Queen is Dead (*maybe* Strangeways if I'm in a good mood and feeling generous). James Mercer's smooth voice seems slightly out of place in these "rough sea shanties," but his parts are tasteful and the call-and-reponse vocals he bounces back and forth with Issaac are definitely catchy. Overall an interesting album that is missing something that I can't quite put my finger on. Either way, if you're a fan of quote-unquote indie rock, give it a listen, there are a couple really fantastic songs to be heard.… Expand
  26. EvertonC
    Mar 25, 2007
    7
    ok, but sometimes it makes me tired!
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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.
  32. MelvinT
    Mar 23, 2007
    6
    The worst of Modest Mouse is still much better than most bands are capable of, but I gotta say I'm disappointed with this album. Anyone who's ever listened to Moon & Antarctica, Lonesome Crowded West, Building Nothing Out of Something, or This is a Long Drive...know that one of the key elements that made Modest Mouse a great band was Isaac Brocks way with words. There are so The worst of Modest Mouse is still much better than most bands are capable of, but I gotta say I'm disappointed with this album. Anyone who's ever listened to Moon & Antarctica, Lonesome Crowded West, Building Nothing Out of Something, or This is a Long Drive...know that one of the key elements that made Modest Mouse a great band was Isaac Brocks way with words. There are so many memorable lines from those albums that it would be impossible to list them here, but they're few and far between on We Were Dead. Hell, half the time you can't even understand what he's trying to say.… Expand
  33. [Anonymous]
    Mar 30, 2007
    6
    A good album, but a predictable step for Modest Mouse, it's structure and style is very similar to Good News. There are a couple of tracks, with the help of Mercer and Marr, that seem to tread new ground; some of the best songs they've written since The Moon and Antarctica are present here -- Florida is a brilliant song. Too bad Dashboard is Float On v2.
  34. zachs
    Feb 25, 2007
    6
    what happened to issac brock's creativity.with the exception of "march into sea" the album is dull. James Mercer is completely out of place on the album. Brock's lyrics are perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the album. One of my generations greatest lyricist has seemed to lost his touch. Hopefully for just one album.
  35. RickE
    Feb 27, 2007
    6
    Modest Mouse have made a mistake here I feel, they have relied too heavily on knowing that we like the shouty tracks, however the shouty tranks only really work with the 6-10 minutes of isolation before hand it ends up sounding like an argument between mother and child
  36. SteveE
    Mar 27, 2007
    6
    I think it's OK. It seems kind of formulaic to me. I've listened to it 3-4 times now and while it does seem to be growing on me I'm still pretty disappointed.
  37. 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
  38. DK
    Mar 19, 2007
    5
    So disappointing. I didn't think Modest Mouse was capable of making a boring record. March Into the Sea is a great tune and there are a few others that are decent to good, but there are about 5 songs that sound nearly exactly alike (Education, Fly in a Jar, Steam Engenius, etc) that drag the album to a halt in the second half. Spitting Venom is a good tune but I only make it that far So disappointing. I didn't think Modest Mouse was capable of making a boring record. March Into the Sea is a great tune and there are a few others that are decent to good, but there are about 5 songs that sound nearly exactly alike (Education, Fly in a Jar, Steam Engenius, etc) that drag the album to a halt in the second half. Spitting Venom is a good tune but I only make it that far through the album on about 10% of the spins. Missed the Boat is embarrassing and I can't believe Brock would ever make such a ridiculous tune. It sounds like a Matchbox 20 tune and would fit well during a "sentimental" moment in some vapid teen flick like American Pie 5. I had the same horrible feeling of embarassment the first time I heard "Love Boat Captain" by Pearl Jam. That moment when you know that one of your favorite bands has officially jumped the shark. I love all of Modest Mouse's earlier albums and have appreciated their progression through Good News. But this is a misstep. I hope Brock is able to regain his mojo for the next album.… Expand
  39. KennyM
    Apr 13, 2007
    5
    modest mouse, who used to be pure magic, have now become what we all feared -- consistently okay.
  40. 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
  41. 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.
  42. BillyG
    Mar 19, 2007
    4
    While there is some quality content on this album, most of the songs are disconnected and non-continuous. The goodwill that Modest Mouse had coming into this album (especially with Johnny Marr) is squandered by several blatant attempts at creating another "Float On". Unlike "Moon And Antarctica", the songs come off as watered-down, over-produced and non-genuine. I'm not making any While there is some quality content on this album, most of the songs are disconnected and non-continuous. The goodwill that Modest Mouse had coming into this album (especially with Johnny Marr) is squandered by several blatant attempts at creating another "Float On". Unlike "Moon And Antarctica", the songs come off as watered-down, over-produced and non-genuine. I'm not making any kind of claim that the band has "sold out" in any way, but it is clear that the anticipation of this album ultimately lowered the quality of the work. The band needs to go back to what they were best at, a non-compromising song writing attitude and the energetic presentation to legitimize it.… Expand
  43. JennM
    Mar 20, 2007
    4
    I feel like crying for the Modest Mouse we once knew.
  44. fwa
    Mar 19, 2007
    4
    this album is painfully mediocre. Worst mm album yet.
  45. 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
  46. james
    Mar 22, 2007
    3
    just listen to the moon and antartica.
  47. samh
    Mar 22, 2007
    3
    another uninspiring album from these guys. loved everything they did up to and including moon and antarctica.
  48. MattD.
    Mar 20, 2007
    2
    Bad album. The jams sound really silly, and his strained vocals make them worse. It's like they just decided to throw this together and hope for the best.
  49. BrianS
    Mar 18, 2007
    2
    This is not a Modest Mouse album. This band is dead to me.
  50. noonenobody
    Mar 16, 2007
    2
    none
  51. 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.
  52. StephanieA
    Mar 21, 2007
    2
    what is isaac brock complaining about? the lyrics are terrible. theyve completely sold out.
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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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