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We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
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We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 256 Ratings

  • Summary: 'We Were Dead,' the Isaac Brock-led band's follow-up to its breakthrough 2004 hit 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News,' is their first release to feature their newest member, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. The Shins' James Mercer guests on three tracks.

Top Track

Dashboard
Well, it would've been, could've been worse than you would ever know Oh, the dashboard melted, but we still had the radio Oh, it should've been,... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    This 14-track-strong album is very much good news for people who loved Good News for People Who Love Bad News.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    90
    Music dignitaries and primordial fans will be contented. If they’re smart, they’ll rejoice.
  3. Hartford Courant
    80
    It's a successful experiment... largely because the differences between Marr and Mouse turn out to be more harmonious than anyone could have expected.
  4. Almost Cool
    73
    In the end, it's not as excellent as their early work, but still pretty entertaining.
  5. NOW Magazine
    70
    The album as a whole does drag on, and the songs aren't as immediately grabby as those on their last disc, but We Were Dead is more interesting and varied than Good News.
  6. Slant Magazine
    70
    We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank is a really good, if not necessarily phenomenal, rock record.
  7. cokemachineglow
    50
    It’s inoffensive, painfully so, with the smell of something run through focus groups from the get go, written and produced by committee to sell the greatest number of copies.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 131 out of 152
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 152
  3. Negative: 8 out of 152
  1. 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 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.… Expand
  2. 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 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.… Collapse
  4. rustina
    Mar 24, 2007
    10
    I didn't like it right away. After 4 or 5 times listening to it, It really starts to flow, probably because you finally get used to the I didn't like it right away. After 4 or 5 times listening to it, It really starts to flow, probably because you finally get used to the obnoxious yet brilliant vocals of the band. This is a classic!… Expand
  5. PhilipM
    Mar 18, 2007
    9
    I'd give it a ten but it's not 1996 anymore. These guys rock but don't knock me on my ass, which isn't a bad thing. I I'd give it a ten but it's not 1996 anymore. These guys rock but don't knock me on my ass, which isn't a bad thing. I have to believe that now that they're getting rich that this might be their apex, hopefully not, They're great chill music especially with your sister. YOUR sister not mine.… Expand
  6. 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 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.… Expand
  7. 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 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.… Expand
  8. noonenobody
    Mar 16, 2007
    2
    none

See all 152 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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