So, I drive over to my favorite local music store today with the intention of picking up the new Sigur Rós album. D'oh! It doesn't go on sale until tomorrow, I should have known that Tuesday is always new CD day. Anyway, I can't go all the way there and not pick something up. So I'm wandering up and down the aisles waiting for something to catch my eye and I stop at the Modest Mouse CD's. I can remember hearing quite a bit about how they were good, so I decided what the hell, I'll pick one up. I ended up buying the "Everywhere and his Nasty Parlour Tricks" EP, mostly because it was the cheapest of the bunch. I've just given it my second listen straight through and I'm really into it, they remind me a bit of June of 44 for some reason, which is one of my favorite bands. Anyone out there into this band? Which of their albums would you recommend? Based solely on this EP, I'm certainly thinking of checking out some more of their stuff.
First off, get the new Sigur Ros. It's great. Now, Modest Mouse: They are one of the truly great bands out there right now. If you want to get their best album, get The Lonesome Crowded West. It's a little more raw than the later stuff (which I like), and is loaded with great songs from beginning to end. I often find myself popping it in on long drives with the intention of listening to a few of my favorite tracks. Every time I end up listening to it all the way through. Every single time. Mostly because whenever a new track starts, I think "Ooh! Great song!" and then I listen to it. Rinse, repeat. Seriously. Some people will argue that The Moon and Antarctica is their best album. These people aren't wrong, either. While I prefer Lonesome Crowded West, Moon... is a bit more polished, and also has a whole lot of great tunes. Isaac Brock has an amazing ability to put together incredibly introspective lyrics in very simple language (Here's the man with teeth like God's shoeshine/ they sparkle, shimmer, shine...). He also writes songs that can jump though multiple tempos without ever sounding disjointed. I could go on for longer, but I'll just say: Buy Lonesome Crowded West, listen to it at least five times through, and you'll find out how great it is.
Thanks for the info togneter. If I'm feeling overly loose with the wallet tomorrow morning I may just pick up "Lonesome Crowded West" along with the new Sigur Rós....Is the "Everwhere..." EP representative of their sound as a whole? and is my comparison with June of 44 fair or off-base? This disc just seems really up my alley and I may have found a new band to add to my collection.
Well, the EP is a little mellower than some of their other stuff. It's mostly outtakes from Moon and Antarctica. They will definitely rock a little more than they do on Everywhere.... They tend to combine noise and tranquility more than they do here. And I have never heard of June of 44. I'll check them out. Also, I'm going to see Sigur Ros live on Nov. 26. Very excited.
I don't know any thing about them, but my friend from college talked about them all the time for a year (it seemed that long!). I really should listen to them at some point...
Everything togneter said is right. I do prefer The Moon & Antarctica though. You'll end up getting them both because they are so good so you might as well do it tomorrow. Sigur Ros is awesome live, BTW.
Moon and Antartica is one of my favorite albums. Lonesome Crowded West is very good also, along with Building Something out of Nothing. that's the order i would rank them. you absolutely have to buy Moon and Antartica. i too also love sigur ros.... can't wait for thier new cd to come in the mail.
In this place that we call home/ The years go fast/ And the days go so slow. Days go so slow Days go So Slow. Heart Cooks Brain on Lonesome Crowded West is amazing. I always thought that they sound quite like Surfer-Rosa-era Pixies, but just a tad more raw. I haven't noticed their more recent stuff though, but I don't follow music as much as I used to.
"Heart Cooks Brain" is probably my favorite Modest Mouse song as well. If you don't have The Moon & Antarctica yet you should get it because you'd probably love it.
Lonesome Crowded West definitely has more of an edge than Moon and Antartica. Which CD you like more will probably depend on what kind of roots you have in music. My buddy and I both listen to Modest Mouse, but took different paths there: in high school, I went from metal to hardcore/punkish stuff and he was alternative to Dave Matthews. We like both CDs, but I'm more a fan of Lonesome Crowded West, he liking Moon and Antartica more. Save yourself the trouble and pick up both at the same time
They are hit or miss. When they're on, they're unbelievable. On other nights, they're terrible. If you catch a good night, though, you're in for a treat.