This collaboration with ex-smiths Jonny Marr brings Modest Mouse to the limelight. (We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse)

Member Name: netrocyn

Product:	We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank - Modest Mouse
Date:	21/02/08 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Catchy, punchy indie, well produced, great lyrics and vocals.

Disadvantages: Lo-fi appeal lost for loyal fans

My girlfriend first intrduced me to Modest Mouse a few months ago. She gave me all of the bands albums and over the 12 years they have been formed they have developed their own unique style. This most recent album was an eagerly anticipated collaboration with ex-Smiths Jonny Marr, a well renowned British songwriter.

Many loyal Modest Mouse fans were not impressed with the idea of Marr - who has historically been involved well polished and produced pop music - working with MM, whos style has has been very lo-fi and rough around the edges indie since their debut in 1996.

It is my opinion however that this collaboration has produced one of the most musically successful albums in the band's history. It is easy to spot Marr's influence in the songwriting however, and this is especially apparent to me in the songs 'We've got everything', 'Florida' 'Invisible' and the epic ending of 'Spitting Venom'.

The album covers a veriety of styles with with influences from many genres, but the album as a whole orbits around punchy Indie, with Marr contributing a pop edge and musically some 80's ideas. The album is definitively characterised by vocalist Issac Brock, ranging from unique shouty and spluttery in 'March into the sea', to smooth and melodic in softer tracks such as 'Missed the boat' and 'Little Motel'. As with previous albums lyrical content ranges from the fun to the slightly sinister, and this lyrical range complements the varying musical styles.

For me every one of the 14 tracks offers something interesting and Brock's lyrics mean you can discover something different everytime you listen. If you are in indie fan and you haven't heard Modest Mouse before, this album is a great place to start. Whilst it sounds completely different from the band's previous albums in terms of production, this has broadened their appeal to a more mainstream audience. Undeneath the polished surface though, its still the same Modest Mouse.

It will be interesting to see how Modest Mouse will progress with future releases now that Marr has joined The Cribs, but from the music it seems as if the collaboration was fun to make, and it is certainly fun to listen to.

Summary: The most mainstream Modest Mouse album and in my opinion one the most musically appealing.