Modest Mouse

[blueeyes]

I have a question for anyone who has followed MM for a long time...Why is Moon&Antarc.... blasted by all their fans? I really enjoy the album. Is it just more produced??? Is that the beef?

[tinobeat]

For me, it was the first album they released that had songs I didn't like on it. The production was so-so, but the best songs on it are super-produced *and also* some of the best songs they've done. But it just isn't as good as the first two, in my opinion...

[johansen smith]

two reasons:
A: it's not very good.
B: it's the album that made Modest Mouse the next Frat Party flavor of the month. people who I'd tried playing Lonesome Crowded West for who called it garbage and made me stop playing it were all of a sudden the world's biggest Modest Mouse fans. people who liked MM before Moon and Antartica resent the album, and those who were made fans because of the album can't seem to figure out why people hate them.

[pabost]

I first encountered Modest Mouse back when "Lonesome, Crowded" came out. There was a review on the fledgling pitchfork web-site, and a sound clip of Trailer Trash (I wish they still had those). I thought it was really interesting and cool, but being a fan of mostly power-pop/twee stuff, it faded into the recesses of my mind. Later, in the summer of 2000, I saw Modest Mouse at the This Ain't No Picnic festival in Los Angeles. I was blown away and decided to pick up their new record (Moon and Ant.), which I immediately loved. I then began to pick up the older stuff, which I also really enjoyed, especially "Lonesome."

As for the songwriting on "Moon and Ant.", I think most of it is brilliant. And as for Paul's comment about the self-consciously "complex" guitarwork, that seems really bizarre to me. I've always appreciated how the guitar lines were really simple and elegant.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by pabost
As for the songwriting on "Moon and Ant.", I think most of it is brilliant. And as for Paul's comment about the self-consciously "complex" guitarwork, that seems really bizarre to me. I've always appreciated how the guitar lines were really simple and elegant.

I agree. I've cooled off on MM a lot (johansen nailed a lot of reasons, as petty as they may seem), but I still think Isaac Brock's a great guitarist in how simple and effective, yet powerful his style is.

Paul hates MM enough to just go ahead and make shit up though, if it can be used against them... ;)

[jef]

I like M&A. Maybe not as much as "Lonesome..." but it's a good album. After listening to the new one, I think it is pretty impressive. It sounds like a mixture of everything up to this point, mixed with a pretty heavy Tom Waits influence on some tracks. The Production sounded nice too.

[abevigoda]

I prefer the rawer sound of This is a long drive, but I don't have any major problems with Moon and Antarctica. I think the main thing This is a long drive has going for it is Calvin Johnson's vocals always make me smile when I hear "Head South".

[lenny]

i like moon and there prior stuff........BUT so many retarded people LOVE them now (i know this has already been said)
Now i question seeing them in the upcoming concert because i just saw the wrens and only like 200 or less people were in a small club (it was amazing) ...and going to a ballroom to see modest mouse with a million deuchbags isn't appealing. Just like the built to spill concert i just went to....to many annoying people lighting up and singing LOUDLY to the songs. ARGGGGG

[Squall91]

Fuck the naysayers...TM&A is an amazing album and so is Good News.

New stuff is just as good as old.

[t.d.]

I like all of the albums, so I don't know where I fit in. One thing I can tell you is that I hate frat guys, I would gladly choke them to death with their sunglasses straps. They fear me.

[porkystump]

modest mouse's new video for "float on" is availablle at modestmousebootlegs.com. You can also pre-order the new album at the site.

[cant see over]

Originally posted by lenny
i like moon and there prior stuff........BUT so many retarded people LOVE them now (i know this has already been said)
Now i question seeing them in the upcoming concert because i just saw the wrens and only like 200 or less people were in a small club (it was amazing) ...and going to a ballroom to see modest mouse with a million deuchbags isn't appealing. Just like the built to spill concert i just went to....to many annoying people lighting up and singing LOUDLY to the songs. ARGGGGG

Isn't that being a, I don't know... indie snob? I mean, if you like the band, you have the night off and you can afford to buy a ticket, then why should the crowd matter that much? Like a band because you like the music, not because they have fewer fans, cooler fans, or are on smaller label. I can't understand skipping a chance to hear music you like, because you dont like the audience.

[vesper]

The audience is one-half of the show, ya know.

[cant see over]

so that's why ticket prices are on the rise... larger audiences.

[blueeyes]

I know! I'm going to see them tommorrow and I forget the exact cost...

but it was A LOT cheaper a couple years ago.

[satcho]

moon and antarctica was actually my first MM album. now it's my least favorite. i tend to agree with the idea that i like it least because it has songs i don't like. production adds and detracts from the songs, so i don't know if that's a great reason not to like it.

[fuzztony]

I know we don't live in a bubble immune to the reactions, but I pretty much agree with the idea that if you like the music, that should be enough.

Regardless of whether annoying people now like the band you used to love or that concerts have more people in attendance. Remember, this is good for the band!

Re MM - I have and really like M&A, Lonesome Crowded West and even think the Ugly Casanova album is good. *ducks*

And best not to talk about Bright Eyes then. Funk seems to get out the chainsaw when they're mentioned. Though I must say I never can bring myself to put Conor on these days.

[romanp]

Frat parties playing MM? Wow, that's absurd (johansen smith, I understand yet disagree with your point.) I think they have maintained a consistent quality and never peddled the kind of tripe that pulses from frat speakers.

BTW, Good News is excellent. I listened to it all weekend after dismissing it last week for sounding a bit off. They are a better-than-average band that’s always worth a listen.

[bitterfruit]

Originally posted by fuzztony

And best not to talk about Bright Eyes then. Funk seems to get out the chainsaw when they're mentioned. Though I must say I never can bring myself to put Conor on these days.

I'm going to Omaha next week for a short trip. I'll report back on what the wannabe Conor scene looks like. Will the real Conor Oberst please stand up, please stand up?

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by romanp
Frat parties playing MM? Wow, that's absurd (johansen smith, I understand yet disagree with your point.) I think they have maintained a consistent quality and never peddled the kind of tripe that pulses from frat speakers.

well, probably not intentionally, but the frat speakers have certainly welcomed Modest Mouse with open arms.

[fuzztony]

Originally posted by bitterfruit
I'm going to Omaha next week for a short trip. I'll report back on what the wannabe Conor scene looks like. Will the real Conor Oberst please stand up, please stand up?

Yes, do, that'd be interesting. I heard Conor is the cherished cornerstone of a new wimpster scene.

http://www.blacktable.com/elder040212.htm

It's pretty hilarious AND disturbing. The link came from this Glorious Noise article:

http://www.gloriousnoise.com/arch/001164_bright_eyes.php

For the record though - I do like the Lifted album. Gee, off topic again!

[johansen smith]

I love Lifted, and I'll brave the coming negative onslaught from the gaggle of anti-Conorphiles on this board to admit it.