Modest Mouse: The Single vs. The Album

In a small part of Washington, a four-piece band returns in 2007 with their latest album since 2004 and Good News for People who Love Bad News.

We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank battles between itself and its latest single Dashboard. Who will the fans choose? After three years and a string of hits like "Float On" and "The Ocean Breathes Salty," Modest Mouse returns with the goodness of their albums before the commercial hits. The steady beat with the off-tune singing by Isaac Brock gives resonance in their latest album.

But this isn't a review just about the album. This is a battle of epic proportions. In a time when musicians are battling themselves over what will be a commercial hit and what is good music, Modest Mouse is faced with a dilemma. Will this album end up like their 2004 one? Or will it flourish with the fans and their good old days of This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About?

Let's just say that the hit is a commercial hit while the rest of the album is for the fans. So the band makes a few bucks off the new hit "Dashboard" with a souped up music video including Brock as a sailor with a microphone for a hand and a giant fish. While that is in the process of becoming a legend, the rest of the album returns to its angst-like feel of their recent albums. Not beautiful, not ugly, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank provides the long-lasting friends and fans with the music their used to hearing from Modest Mouse.

"Dashboard" talks about the good things in life. Even when you've got a huge hole in your windshield, at least there's still the nice breeze! Even when the dashboard is melted, you can listen to the radio. (this is Modest Mouse talking). The words resonate with orchestral background similar to sounds from Arcade Fire. It's no wonder this song has an awesome hit song lead.

To the commercialization: tell your friends that this ain't the album for them. It's not the album for you. Modest Mouse is back like a bad guy in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.

Judge for yourself:
The album is in stores now and available on iTunes.
The single can be watched here: