Modest Mouse • We Were Dead Before The Ship Sank

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The Mouse-keteers had never been confused with a happy-go-lucky type of band, just see the album title listed above or lead singer Isaac Brock’s usual on stage antics such as cutting himself with beer bottle glass. However, on their previous album Good News, songs like “We All Float On” gave a glimmer of, if not hopefulness, at least a “we’re all in this together so lets make the best of this fucked-up place approach”. This attitude is brought to the party on We Were Dead and with always-strong songwriting, this might be their tightest album yet!

"Dashboard," no matter how many times you listen, and "Light It Up" are two of the Mouse’s most catchy singles to date, and there are a couple numbers nipping at their heels the more I listen. On many songs the Mouse sounds much more poppy, maybe the influence of their latest addition, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. Thankfully anytime anybody wants to convict them for selling out, they open up with a screamer like "Steam Engenius" or "Spitting Venom." Catch that nautical theme throughout, great production quality and attention to detail- just pass me my mouse ears, or an oar!