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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. 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.
  8. 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!!!!!!!!
  9. RossP.
    Jan 14, 2008
    9
    well gee, an album that is too long? omg, thats the worst complaint about an album i could ever conceive! those people must be sacked. ok i have to say this isn't an album of epic tracks, it is an epic album, the title completely suits the lyrical context. I have never chose to listen to one song of this album by itself, always the album as a whole and thats where my joy lies. The well gee, an album that is too long? omg, thats the worst complaint about an album i could ever conceive! those people must be sacked. ok i have to say this isn't an album of epic tracks, it is an epic album, the title completely suits the lyrical context. I have never chose to listen to one song of this album by itself, always the album as a whole and thats where my joy lies. The emotion swells, alas depressing sentimental misgivings is not something i ever dwell on, but in such a poetic delivery, with so much heart, deserves a nod of respect. Something that deserves at least 3 listens thru, and from there you will want to listen again and again.… Expand
  10. JCF.
    Jan 1, 2008
    10
    This album is perfect, so many shades ... I like it a lot
  11. 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.
  12. VidM
    Aug 13, 2007
    8
    Solid.
  13. JohnG
    Jul 8, 2007
    10
    its great when all of your friends argue over what the best song is.
  14. AlexP.
    Jul 6, 2007
    10
    Amazing. It's almost as good as anything they've done. Brock is an irreverent screaming genius. He's never boring and never pretentious. This album is excellent all the way through. My special faves are March into the Sea, Florida, Parting of the Sensory, Fly Trapped in a Jar and Spitting Venom. Marr is a nice addition. He and Brock obviously hit it off well musically. I Amazing. It's almost as good as anything they've done. Brock is an irreverent screaming genius. He's never boring and never pretentious. This album is excellent all the way through. My special faves are March into the Sea, Florida, Parting of the Sensory, Fly Trapped in a Jar and Spitting Venom. Marr is a nice addition. He and Brock obviously hit it off well musically. I saw them live on May 6th and was absolutely blown away.… Expand
  15. JamesboF.
    Jun 27, 2007
    10
    This album is so damn catchy. It reminds me of 80s new wave-it has that vibe-and almost every song is great. It's just so catchy and perfectly set up. I love this album!
  16. gokhank.
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    exclusive
  17. SeanC
    Jun 20, 2007
    9
    I loved it. At first I felt it was a little..... easier than the other albums Mouse has done, as Good News for People Who Love Bad News was. After giving it a week or two it found it's way back on my playlist, again, just like Good News.
  18. DanL
    Jun 19, 2007
    9
    Another truly great album from a very talented band. Nothing reaches the mainstream appeal of "Float On" from Good News, but that's not a bad thing. Modest Mouse seem to be revisiting their roots with this album, which is nearly as accomplished as their best album (in my opinion), 2000's The Moon & Antarctica. Brock's songwriting is at its best on "Dashboard," "Parting of Another truly great album from a very talented band. Nothing reaches the mainstream appeal of "Float On" from Good News, but that's not a bad thing. Modest Mouse seem to be revisiting their roots with this album, which is nearly as accomplished as their best album (in my opinion), 2000's The Moon & Antarctica. Brock's songwriting is at its best on "Dashboard," "Parting of the Sensory" and "Missed the Boat." We Were Dead... is at times carefree, and emotionally charged at others. It's right up there with the best Indie records of recent years.… Expand
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. CraigO
    Jun 1, 2007
    10
    This band is now my guilty pleasure. It's catchy music that's more or less just meant to be catchy. It's all I expect, it's what I get, so I love it.
  22. DylanS
    May 30, 2007
    9
    Another quality release from Modest Mouse. A nice mix of the Good News and Moon and Antartica sound to create the second best release of their career and one of this years best. Don't be afraid of the accesibility of their sound, it's still Modest Mouse, just with exceptional song structure + Johnny Marr was a great addition.
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. JohnnyD
    Apr 26, 2007
    10
    Great record. There's so many hooks on this album, every track sounds like it could be a single.
  26. JustinV
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    people are basing their opinions on past albums. Thats stupid. Every band evolves. You guys are just pissed that there will never be another moon and antarctica or lonesome crowded west. We were dead is one of their best. You try writing the lyrics that Isaac writes himself, but it to the music that they make themselves, and put a cd out and stay around for as long as they have. You people are basing their opinions on past albums. Thats stupid. Every band evolves. You guys are just pissed that there will never be another moon and antarctica or lonesome crowded west. We were dead is one of their best. You try writing the lyrics that Isaac writes himself, but it to the music that they make themselves, and put a cd out and stay around for as long as they have. You couldn't. So stop complaining it's a great album.… Expand
  27. JohnR
    Apr 23, 2007
    10
    man, modest mouse is awesome! Issac Brock just never seems to run out of ideas.
  28. 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 :)
  29. EdS
    Apr 22, 2007
    9
    This albumn is phenomenal. It is one of those gems that gets better with every listen. Some reviewers stating that it's a bit of a sellout, but I find all of the elements that make Modest Mouse who they are in this albumn - the exception is that it is much more palatable for the for the average fan.
  30. KevinD
    Apr 18, 2007
    9
    Too many people today say that Modest Mouse has changed for the worse. This is of course not true. They have been inconsistant with the way the sound from the start. Play "The Moon and Antarctica" and then "The Lonesome Crowded West" and you'll notice big differences. Hell the only two things they have been consistant at are; being inconsistant and and quality. Each of their albums Too many people today say that Modest Mouse has changed for the worse. This is of course not true. They have been inconsistant with the way the sound from the start. Play "The Moon and Antarctica" and then "The Lonesome Crowded West" and you'll notice big differences. Hell the only two things they have been consistant at are; being inconsistant and and quality. Each of their albums have ranged from good to great, this album is of no exception. While it has some flaws and probably doesn't deserve the "9" I gave it, plenty of the songs such as, "Missed the Boat", "Spitting Venom", "Florida", and "March into the Sea" are amaing. Pick this up if you are a fan of Alternative Rock.… Expand
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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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