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. RicardoO
    Mar 17, 2007
    10
    The Best Indie Rock Album for this century...maybe not, but for sure is the best Indie Rock Band
  2. 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.
  3. benc
    Mar 17, 2007
    10
    absolutly awesome
  4. 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...
  5. 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.
  6. Rick
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    Excellent album, well worth the wait. Favorite tracks are "Parting of the Sensory" and "March Into The Sea".
  7. noonenobody
    Mar 16, 2007
    2
    none
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. LyleR
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    Awesome
  11. Scott
    Mar 16, 2007
    8
    Blew me away with its greatness
  12. supersean
    Mar 16, 2007
    10
    best album yet
  13. 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
  14. AndyM
    Mar 15, 2007
    10
    Long Awaited with baited breath and WOW what a punch this MM album packs - dark, angry and brock doing waht he does best 'Spitting Venom', reckong this surpasses GNFPWLBN!
  15. 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
  16. Ben
    Mar 12, 2007
    10
    Long awaited. Unexpectedly lives up to lofty expectations.
  17. NikolasJ
    Mar 11, 2007
    10
    I've read some reviews that claim the new Modest Mouse album sounds rushed, as if Brock was just trying to satisfy a contract, but I highly disagree. To me, it's an angry album, no doubt, but a great album nonetheless. "We were dead" is about not growing and/or learning from mistakes. It's about not feeling trapped by history, and that speaks to Mouse's listeners on I've read some reviews that claim the new Modest Mouse album sounds rushed, as if Brock was just trying to satisfy a contract, but I highly disagree. To me, it's an angry album, no doubt, but a great album nonetheless. "We were dead" is about not growing and/or learning from mistakes. It's about not feeling trapped by history, and that speaks to Mouse's listeners on many levels. The album is speaking to the people who are constantly upset they don't sound like "Lonesome Crowded West" anymore as well as any listeners who feels upset with their own life but does nothing to change it. It's a brilliantly angry album, and rightfully so. Everyone, including your favorite band, has to change if they mean to make any progress. People who want the same thing repeated, in music or life, are not going to grow, and that's who they are speaking to. The album is sharp, and Brock & company are as acute as always. They are growing and have accepted the fact that some of their earliest fans may not grow with them, but they're at peace with that. After all, we all know the tragedy of history repeating itself.… Expand
  18. 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.
  19. NellieB
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    An amazing band makes another amazing album.
  20. JCCaird
    Mar 8, 2007
    10
    Fantastic album. Stand out tracks are "Parting of the Sensory" and "Spitting Venom".
  21. RyanO
    Mar 7, 2007
    10
    I'd been waiting in unbearable anticipation for this album since they said they were going to release it last december. When they postponed it I almost cried. Now that I've finally heard it.. Wow. one or two tracks lack the modest mouse feel that i obsess over, but thats what happens when you add a guitarist from another already renowned band. the album is still ridiculously I'd been waiting in unbearable anticipation for this album since they said they were going to release it last december. When they postponed it I almost cried. Now that I've finally heard it.. Wow. one or two tracks lack the modest mouse feel that i obsess over, but thats what happens when you add a guitarist from another already renowned band. the album is still ridiculously awesome.Isaac Brock's distinguished lyrics and song writing are still there and in your face.… Expand
  22. BrettN
    Mar 6, 2007
    10
    Great album. At first I was skeptical, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it.
  23. ChrisM
    Mar 2, 2007
    10
    When i heard dashboard I had pretty grim expectations for the album, but the rest of the album turned out to be amazing. Marr's copmlex guitar work underneath Brock's powerful voice makes for and odd but equally compelling mix. a very consistent album
  24. AndrewK
    Mar 2, 2007
    9
    March Into The Sea: 9.0 Dashboard: 8.0 Parting of The Sensory: 10. (Very diverse.) Florida: 7.0 (Meh.) Fire It Up: 8.5 Missed The Boat: 10 (Very fun.) We've Got Everything: 7.0. (Meh.) Little Motel: 10 (Relaxing and calm.) Fly Trapped In A Jar: Unconfirmed. Education: 9.0 Steam Engenius: 8.0 Spitting Venom: Unconfirmed. People As Places As People: 8.5 Invisible: 10 (Great ending.)
  25. codyg
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    absolutely amazing
  26. GeorgeH
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    Awsome. Their killer discography grows and grows.
  27. Luke
    Feb 28, 2007
    10
    This album is quite possibly in my top ten favourites list now, what an amazing album.
  28. Kyle
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    Great!! Modest Mouse was obviously not dead before the ship even sank.
  29. nyome
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    Best one yet!
  30. Tim
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    I get off the plane and my name is in flashy lights everywhere
  31. Shorty
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    I love modest mouse so much
  32. cody
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    This is a great album to sail to.
  33. Chuck
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    I would like to thank modest mouse for another perfect album. Everything you would want from an album
  34. Patty
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    If you like this album you are a good person
  35. Chelsey
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    This album feels like your riding in a huge pirate ship. Yarrrrr!
  36. Albert
    Feb 27, 2007
    10
    I love the part that makes me smile!
  37. 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
  38. 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.
  39. CalebR
    Feb 25, 2007
    9
    Almost as good as Lonesome Crowded West. Rocking. New. Excellent. Johnny Marr brings the funk, Isaac Brock continues the insanity. A collection of well-executed pop songs.
  40. 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.
  41. MartyMcfly
    Feb 24, 2007
    10
    Easily, some of the best work they've done ever, and has shown how much the band has matured since they began. Buy this album and listen to it over and over again.
  42. MermaidOnland
    Feb 22, 2007
    9
    An amazing effort at points. A few weaker spots, but otherwise consistently inventive, clever, and rocking. Ranks up there with their best work, if not their absolute best at certain moments (Parting of the Sensory, Little Motel, Spitting Venom).
  43. issacb
    Feb 20, 2007
    10
    does not dissapoint
  44. Robert
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Another Great MM album
  45. 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.
  46. CarolN
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Brilliant!!!
  47. tylerc
    Feb 19, 2007
    10
    Good News was somewhat dissapointing to me but not bad. This album more than makes up for it.
  48. JohnStamos
    Feb 17, 2007
    10
    I love this album more than my mom
  49. kendallj
    Feb 16, 2007
    9
    modest is pure bliss.
  50. JohnS
    Feb 16, 2007
    9
    solid album
  51. LainieR
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    Yesssss
  52. AndrewC
    Feb 16, 2007
    10
    Finally it leaked
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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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