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opinions were like kittens i was giving them away. -modest mouse
there's nothing as something as one. -e. e. cummings
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Have you heard this album? Give us your rating above, 5 being best.
A few years ago I wondered when there was going to be another good band that was different
and reflected contemporary life, and Modest Mouse is one of those bands. Their nervous,
paranoid, confused songs represent life today more than anyone I can think of and what line
could better express culture today than, "It's been agreed the whole world stinks so
no one's taking showers anymore?"
Track listing:
01 3rd Planet
02 Gravity Rides Everything
03 Dark Center Of The Universe
04 Perfect Disguise
05 Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes
06 A Different City
07 The Cold Part
08 Alone Down There
09 The Stars Are Projectors
10 Wild Packs Of Family Dogs
11 Paper Thin Walls
12 I Came As A Rat
13 Lives
14 Life Like Weeds
15 What People Are Made Of
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This album not only reflects the times, but also "says
[something] to me about my life," that like the music; life is unpredictable, nervous, and
a pleasure. In one line in "paper thin walls," Isaac Brock sums up living a self-conscious life with, "I can't
be a fool for everyone that I don't know." Most of the lyrics in this album are just as
thought-provoking, Brock sings, "Everyone's afraid of their own life if you could be
anything you want I bet you'd be disappointed, am I right?" and lingers on to such poignant and poetic lyrics like "It's hard to remember...we're alive for the first time, It's hard to remember...we're alive for the last time," and continues with equally magnanimus thoughts.
The music is equally great, full, sweeping sounds complete with strings provide a fitting backdrop for such insightful lyrics. It does differ from previous albums in that it has a more "produced" sound, but they pull it off just as well as the raw Modest Mouse of earlier days. In my opinion, the
music on this album hits a new level for them, they've managed to keep the discordant
dimensions and plucky, unconventional sounds but combined them with some amazing songwriting - there was great songwriting on previous albums, but I consider this a masterpiece, from what I think is one of the greatest bands around right now -
some of the highlights being "3rd planet," "dark center of the universe," "wild packs of family dogs," and "lives."
-Jennifer Hall 09/30/02
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