New Modest Mouse Album

[samsamthegiantman]

So I just got off the phone with Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse, undoubtedly one of my favorite songwriters currently rocking the rock. (He was participating in a new regular feature that we’ll be launching soon, the details of which I’m going to keep under wraps for the moment so as not to spoil the fun.)

Anyway, after we wrapped that up, I asked Isaac about the status of new Modest Mouse album; he said it was coming along and he was really happy with it so far, but that he didn’t have enough songs written yet. Then he mentioned that Johnny Marr of The Smiths had been flying to Portland from Manchester to write songs with him.

Pregnant pause.

I don’t know whether it’s because Brock is a funny, dry, sardonically witty guy—something I don’t think his lyrics are given nearly enough credit for—or because it seemed like such a strange, almost wonderfully incongruous match, but I totally didn’t believe him. I had just mentioned The Smiths a minute before, and I thought he was pulling my leg. Like an asshole, I asked him twice if he was lying, which I hope didn’t annoy the guy too much. He assured me that he wasn’t . Twice. Politely. (Turns out they hadn’t been able to confirm it, but Portland’s Willamette Week had reported the rumor.)

Don’t get me wrong, Johnny Marr hasn’t done anything to crow about in years (The Healers, anyone?), but it feels like big news that one of the most important guitarists of the ’80s has hooked up with the most respectable crossover band of the day. I have no reservations about calling Brock a genius (witness “Never Ending Math Equation,” “Interstate 8,” “Teeth Like God’s Shoeshine,” “Paper Thin Walls,” and a dozen others), and Marr certainly had it in him at one time (hello, all of The Queen Is Dead). Maybe they can help coax more out of each other. Whatever comes of the match should be interesting at the very least; here’s hoping it’ll turn out far better than that. The world’s radio stations could use the ***-kicking.
http://www.avclub.com/content/node/45051
What do you guys think of this?!
I'm elated!
Sorry if there's already a thread on this.

[cap]

Sounds bitchin.

[Luxor]

Sometime in '06 eh? Nice

[sgrevs]

Awesome! Can't wait. Love MM.

[Tomahawk]

I don't think they're a very good match. Actually, I'd say they're a "bad" match. But whatever, they're both good, so I hope I'm wrong.

[dilettante]

Modest Mouse let me down with Good New For People Who Love Bad News, so I'm not really looking forward to this no matter who he's working with.

[Krash100]

Modest Mouse let me down with Good New For People Who Love Bad News, so I'm not really looking forward to this no matter who he's working with.

I'd agree with that for the most part, but maybe Marr can spark some life back into them and we'll get something like The Moon and Antarctica or TLCW again. I'd love to see him playing guitar on a Modest Mouse album though

[samsamthegiantman]

I know a lot of people didn't like Good News For People Who Like Bad News. But, in my opinion it was fine. Not their best, but it was fine. Now, I know some people that hate that album just because it went "mainstream". So ****ing what? I know that some people actually just don't like the album. But the people who don't like it just because it's "mainstream" need to ****ing grow up. As Isaac Brock once said, "I only sold that song to the car company for their commercial was so I could pay for the rent. If that's what I have to do to pay the rent, I'll ****ing do it." or something along those lines. I believe that Isaac tried to get some new followers, by making that album, and that the next album will be much better. I also think they were trying a new style. Like in Moon & Antarctica. What I'm saying probabally makes me sound like an arragont fatass, and is extremely debatable. But, that's what I think. Hell, some people think Modest Mouse sold out at Moon & Anatarctica. I think they are both good albums, although I like Moon & Antarctica better. This is just my opinion, though.

Thank you for your time.

[pikester]

As it turns out, I'm listening to TM&A at this very moment.

Nevertheless, I hope it's better then that good news drivel.

[Luxor]

I really liked Good News? I don't get what's so bad about it...

It's got some really great songs

[dilettante]

it's not true.

[Luxor]

Bukowski? The World At Large? Bury Me With It? Dance Hall? Satin In A Coffin?

C'mon

I love it as much as any one of their other albums

[dilettante]

there's only a handful of songs that i enjoy off the entire album. that's pretty bad, in my opinion.

[rubbishwithnames]

I thought it was a good album, and not even THAT different to a lot of their older stuff. Some of their classics like Paper Thin Walls would have fitted in on that CD no problem.

People need to get over the fact that having a hit single doesn't necasserily mean the band have 'sold out' or whatever. Long live Modest Mouse!

[dilettante]

you know, not that many people care about bands selling out. it's just not the same record i was expecting, or even up to par with the rest of their stuff, in my opinion. can't i dislike it because it sounds bad without you thinking i'm some ****ing elitist prick? which i am, but not really.

[Dave de Sylvia]

No, not even Johnny Marr could make me listen to Modest Mouse.

[samsamthegiantman]

No, not even Johnny Marr could make me listen to Modest Mouse.
Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about Modest Mouse?
But, I respect your opinion. :)

[Dave de Sylvia]

They're just not my thing really.

[Kayetan]

I heard it's just a bunch of Sun Kil Moon covers. Is this teh tr00f?

[llama1600]

no, Sun Kil Moon covered Modest Mouse on the album Twin Cities

Modest Mouse's new record are originals

[pixiesfanyo]

Tiny Cities

[Kayetan]

I was joking. Sorry.

[llama1600]

Tiny Cities


Yeah, that's what I meant, i have no idea why i put Twin

[SotR]

Yeah, that's what I meant, i have no idea why i put Twin

Too much of The Hold Steady for you young man.

Also, Good News wasn't that bad, granted it was bantha fodder compared to The Moon & Antartica, but I can't name many albums that are better so it figures.

Although Bury Me With It is awesome.

[blueyxd]

I'm looking forward to it.
I first listened to Good News on a lonely drive home, going head on into the blinding sunset, on a busy highway during peak hour on a road I hardly know, in a vehicle I'd driven once before, which was about 3 times heavier and bigger than anything I was used to driving...

and the music was awsome, it kept me company and it kept me calm.

[sgrevs]

I really love Good News... moreso than Lonesome Crowded West, and probably the same as Moon and Antarctica.

Isaac described the new album in a really amusing way once...something about maybe pirates or ships. It's prbably in this thread somewhere. And that's how I hope it sounds.

[pixiesfanyo]

Lonesome Crowded West is their masterpiece

I don't think it'll ever get better than that.

[BJ_maddog]

something about maybe pirates or ships

sounds like the decemberists

[Aeaon]

Will it include even more "horns" this time around? :D

[Eliminator]

god i hope not

has anyone watched the documentary made in 1997 about them

[Sam]

I forgot for a while there that people actually listen to Modest Mouse.

[lilsolsman]

This sounds fun.

It'll be given a listen, given a listen indeed

[pixiesfanyo]

god i hope not

has anyone watched the d0cumentary made in 1997 about them

Yeah it rules.

So many good people are interviewed.

[The Jungler]

Lonesome Crowded West is their masterpiece

I don't think it'll ever get better than that.I need that CD.

I didn't really mind Good News, wasn't up to par though.

[Eliminator]

Yeah it rules.

So many good people are interviewed.

yeah, it's pretty cool

isaac looks skinny and stuff. and he has a lisp.

the one thing i don't like about those is that the interviews seem kind of awkward at times

[pixiesfanyo]

that's because indie is awkward.

-_-

[Luxor]

After I saw them live and realized how big of a lisp Isaac has, I hear it in all the songs now.

[blueyxd]

what are they like live?
I hear they are coming to Australia around the new year and I want to see them.

[Little Man being Erased]

I'd like to see them if Johnny Marr came too.

[sgrevs]

what are they like live?
I hear they are coming to Australia around the new year and I want to see them.

They are coming for Falls Festival which is in Lorne over new years eve, and they are playing at the Enmore in Sydney on the 3rd of Jan...which I will definitely be going to. If Johnny Marr comes it will be so freakin' awesome.

Referring to what I said before about the description of the sound of the album by Isaac, he said something about a "nautical adventure" i think, or something to that extent.

[homestar_kevin]

This is one of the albums i've been really really excited for

[DBoons Ghost]

I liked the new one. Lotsa great songs. Was it as awesome as others? No, but still an excellent album.

Now, if Johnny Marr is gonna write with them, it means they are either going more poppy with an indie twist, or Johnny is reaching out to try some different things. Johnny Marr is about as brit pop as they get.