We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank [Import]

I have to say that while I found the band's last album, "Good News.." to be a slight disappointment, I didn't think it sounded like a sellout at all. It was much more quirky than the typical records out there, and even some of the more trendy music out at the time. And while the band's most accessible album to date, "Ship" is 100% a Modest Mouse record. Even with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr now in the fold, even when Shin James Mercer does background vocals. And while it's also clean produced like the last one, that doesn't mean it's over-polished at all.

Of course, there's people who will try and insult people who like this new stuff, and there'll be a few mainstream sheep who decide it's good because the masses told them. But let's get realistic: Modest Mouse have been on a major label since 2000's "The Moon & Antarctica." (The album that introduced me to the band.) Them taking steps to commercial steps was inevitable from there. I have no problem with them becoming big. If you like them to stick with the Sonic Youth-type of seven-minute jam-out songs, just stick with "Long Drive" and "The Lonesome Crowded West." This, the new record, does actually have an epic track in it, "Spitting Venom," which starts out raw and acoustic in its first minute and a half but soon builds up from that. It's kind of interesting, as is the rest of the album.

Besides, I can't remember the pump organ and accordion being used so often in pop music as it is on here. There's no real Isaac Brock freak-outs here, but he still is full of personality on here. Also, where the interludes seemed a bit annoying and unnecessary last time, the newly used instruments are now utilized into actual songs! It's a more mature Modest Mouse album, and while consistent, it's never boring. You get the more easily digestible stuff like the acoustic-based "Little Motel" and the ultra-catchy "Steaming Engenius" (next single perhaps?). They change the tempos and structures at times this time around, too, on the excellent "Parting of the Sensory." Really, none of the 14 songs are bad at all.

If you can respect and accept that your little band is now shooting for the stars, I think you'll find something to enjoy on the band's fifth LP. It is not perhaps the most startling of the band's albums, but they don't need to do that with us anymore. I couldn't have possibly asked for a better album from these guys.

Much like Lonesome Crowded West with Teeth Like God's Shoeshine blaring loud and strong at the start, March Into the Sea really kicks off the album, and is one of the best on the album. The rest of the album doesn't let up.

Frankly, I don't see where people get selling out. In my mind, they've simply been progressing forward. Each album explores a different sound, and in each album that sound gets exhausted. If they continued to use any one album's sound, we would all complain they have no innovation and all their songs sound the same. (look at Mechanical Birds and the end of Polar Opposites...a third and thats what we all would be thinking)

With that over, I've listened to this album a couple times, and with each listen get into it more. Modest Mouse is one of those bands you need to keep listening to, you can't expect to "get" them on the first listen. I only liked one or two songs on Lonesome... and now I love them all.

I do think this is more of a return to their older work, not simply a third chapter in what began at Moon & Antarctica and continued with Good News, but it does sound like them with an entirely new one.

Other highlights:

Florida

Missed the Boat

People as Places as People

Every album Modest Mouse puts out is a completely new endeavor and We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is no exception. This album has a drifting, lightweight feel similar to that of This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Talk About but with the core of it's imagery carrying a more nautical theme. Isaac Brock's lyrics aren't as heavy, epic, or clever as on previous albums, but there are still moments of brilliance such on tracks like "Parting of the Sensory" where Brock talks of our decomposed and re-consumed bodies after death as "carbon's anniversary" (a metaphor that would take a five-page essay to explain).

The music this time around is extremely accessible, even moreso than their previous album. All of the tracks are produced so immaculately you'd think that they were mixed with shoeshine. This could be a downer for some long-time Modest Mouse fans, as all the grit that defined earlier albums is now officially dead and gone. The up side is that Isaac Brock's vocal performance is the best it has ever been. Gone is the uncontrolled scream-singing of This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Talk About, Isaac has full control now. This is especially evident on March into the Sea where the vocals range from soft and melodious to the growling laugh of a senile pirate. Original drummer Jeremiah Green is back at the helm, but his trademark wild off-kilter snare fills are hard to find. They could be there, but if they are then they are surely overwhelmed by the heavy snare/kick beats that dominate songs such as "Dashboard", "We've Got Everything", and "Education".
There's been a lot of buzz about Johnny Marr joining the group too; however, fans of The Smiths expecting to hear their beloved god of sound back in full form will be sorely disappointed. Marr's guitar work on We Were Dead is very subtle and complimentary to the pre-existing Modest Mouse sound. If anything, his most noticeable dent on the band is how much tighter they sound with such an experienced guitarist on the roster.

One last musical addition of note. The Shins' James Mercer performs backup vocals on three of the album's tracks. Although "backup" is an understatement. Mercer's voice is so soaring that at times you completely forget Isaac Brock is even there.

So are these pros or cons? I would have to say that they're all pros. This isn't a negative review. By all means this is a great album with some truly memorable tracks (the monster 3-song closing alone is enough to warrant buying it).

It's difficult to review an album from a band as unique as Modest Mouse without making comparisons to previous albums and noting the progression of the band as a whole. This album seems to convey a group more confident in their sound than ever before. It is also an impressively diverse album, with an assortment of songs that span the entire Mouse catalog stylistically. There are angry rants and furious death marches a la Lonesome Crowded West ("March into the Sea", "Fly Trapped in a Jar"), spacey brooding to the tune of Moon and Antarctica ("Parting of the Sensory"), and even lofty indie/pop songs which could just as easily be found on Good News for People Who Love Bad News ("We've Got Everything", "Missed the Boat"). Also, there is a pleasant assortment of songs completely unique to this album, "Spitting Venom", "Little Motel", and "Florida" come to mind ... which might just be some of the best tracks here.

That all being said, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is probably not the best Modest Mouse has ever put out, but it is without question a solid piece of work, filled with wonderful songs to take with you on your next sailing trip. Four stars.