The Golden Casket
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78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

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  • Summary: The seventh full-length studio release for the indie rock band was produced with Dave Sardy and Jacknife Lee.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 22, 2021
    100
    The album is a masterful psychedelic patchwork, bouncing between eerie soundscapes (opener ‘Fuck Your Acid Trip’), knotty post-punk (‘Walking And Running’) and maximalist pop melody (the ludicrously good fun ‘The Sun Hasn’t left’).
  2. PopMatters
    Jun 25, 2021
    90
    The Golden Casket is almost a complete package. Its 12 songs are remarkably tight and focused for a Modest Mouse album, which again feels reflective of the composed, focused headspace Brook seems to be in. It’s another wonderful, soulful release by one of the world’s most singular rock bands and wholly obliterates the retrograde notion that musicians require tortured head scapes to create rich, compelling art.
  3. Under The Radar
    Jun 24, 2021
    85
    With the band’s first album in six years, Modest Mouse prove they have the staying power to remain atop the indie rock heap with their knack for harnessing a whimsical energy combined with tight little nuggets of sound and various fragments from diverse styles and genres to create something entirely different that is both exciting and fresh.
  4. Slant Magazine
    Jun 22, 2021
    80
    While The Golden Casket doesn’t match the heights attained by some of Modest Mouse’s earlier work, it’s their first album since 2000’s triumphant The Moon & Antarctica that doesn’t feel like it could benefit from some editing.
  5. Beats Per Minute
    Jul 6, 2021
    76
    For a genre replete with posturing, it’s beyond refreshing to receive an album that so readily wears its heart on its sleeve, especially from a band so esteemed: with so much to potentially lose. Modest Mouse have made gains simply by being themselves. This is comfort food for the well-worn soul.
  6. Pitchfork
    Jun 28, 2021
    73
    What The Golden Casket is missing is the kind of contagious earworm that made Modest Mouse radio mainstays. There’s no “Float On” here. There’s not even a “Dashboard.” But the album rewards the time and patience it demands in a way the last couple haven’t.
  7. Rolling Stone
    Jun 24, 2021
    50
    Like many Modest Mouse records, The Golden Casket sounds cluttered and that’s likely how they want it. They never define what “the golden casket” is on the album, but too often, it seems like the phrase might be a metaphor for their own hermetically sealed instincts.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. DukeofZhou
    Jul 1, 2021
    10
    At long last, Modest Mouse is back with another terrific album. Each song has a lot of different sonic elements, and Isaac's wordplay is asAt long last, Modest Mouse is back with another terrific album. Each song has a lot of different sonic elements, and Isaac's wordplay is as clever, poignant and funny as ever. These songs are quirky and unique, as ever, but always have great hooks to tie everything together. This isn't their best album of all-time, but it is a return to form after the somewhat disappointing StO. I would rank it just below their very best, which makes it head and shoulders above 99% of the music released these days.… Expand
  2. erolsabadosh
    Jul 5, 2021
    10
    Awesome album, probably my favorite of theirs in the last 20 years. Very consistent, no tracks to skip, great production, really upbeat vibesAwesome album, probably my favorite of theirs in the last 20 years. Very consistent, no tracks to skip, great production, really upbeat vibes and layered songs that continue to reveal details on further listens. The track order is perfect, they really nailed it on all fronts here in my opinion, and I feel like somehow they injected it with sounds and vibes that recall the entire span of their career up til now while adding new elements. It sounds fresh and exciting compared to their last few albums, which as good as they are, didn't really push their sound forward.… Expand
  4. Makadanianut
    Jun 25, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just an incredible shift in direction that actually works! It’s far more cohesive than STO that precedes it. Tracks such as Wooden Soldiers, Transmitting Receiving, Back to the Middle are some of their best since the Moon and Antarctica!… Expand
  5. RedGreyBlue
    Aug 18, 2021
    8
    Relating to their works from Ugly Casanova, Modest Mouse breaks through with what should be one of their best work Post-2010. After a coupleRelating to their works from Ugly Casanova, Modest Mouse breaks through with what should be one of their best work Post-2010. After a couple of listens, I'm feeling The Golden Casket is putting us in a different direction for the better.… Expand
  6. AcidCasualty
    Jun 25, 2021
    8
    MM has taken another turn toward the unpredictable, and the psychedelic results are rewarding. Isaac's lyrics are thought provoking and theMM has taken another turn toward the unpredictable, and the psychedelic results are rewarding. Isaac's lyrics are thought provoking and the music, though highly structured, somehow comes off as easy-breezy at times.… Expand
  7. Ricko
    Aug 21, 2021
    8
    It took a good few listen but I have to say I really enjoyed this album. Just their 2nd album in the 14 years since 2007's "We Were Dead….",It took a good few listen but I have to say I really enjoyed this album. Just their 2nd album in the 14 years since 2007's "We Were Dead….", "The Golden Casket" is unmistakably Modest Mouse - bizarre, obscure, melodic and constantly treading the lines between genius and insanity. While it lacks the punch and pacing of 2004's "Good News For People Who Love Bad News", for me, "The Golden Casket" is closest to this album of all their back catalog. The band nail the opening 3 tracks and at this stage I thought I might have been listening to a masterpiece. Unfortunately, the record doesnt quite manage to maintain this standard and lots of what follows could probably do with a bit of editing down. I reckon the 50 minutes of music could easily have bee delivered in 40 minutes without losing anything. Still, this has to be considered a triumphant return and stands up well with their excellent back catalog.… Expand
  8. Bruh8
    Dec 4, 2021
    0
    My goodness this is terrible. From front to back the vocals, instrumentation and production managed to impress me by how horrendous they were.My goodness this is terrible. From front to back the vocals, instrumentation and production managed to impress me by how horrendous they were. Especially on tracks like "The Sun Hasn't Left" and "Never **** A Spider On The Fly". How did the band that made the masterpiece that is "Good News for People Who Love Bad News" come out with an album that I might even call one of the worst albums of all time? This album was insanely dissapointing and it saddens me to see that this is what Modest Mouse has become.… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Discussed Album of 2021

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