Far From Modest
Has anyone else really listened to the lyrics on the new Modest Mouse album? For lack of better words, they’re amazing.
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights. Adding their breeze to the summer nights. Outside water like air was great. I didn’t know what I had that day. Walk a little farther to another plan. You said that you did, but you didn’t understand. The World At Large
Many of them take on religious themes and provoke thought regarding life and death.
If God controls the land and disease, keeps a watchful eye on me, If he’s really so damn mighty, my problem is I can’t see, well who would wanna be? Who would wanna be such a control freak? Bukowski
Well that is that and this is this. Will you tell me what you saw and I’ll tell you what you missed, when the ocean met the sky. You missed when time on life shook hands and said goodbye. When the earth folded in on itself. And said “Good luck, for your sake I hope heaven and hell are really there, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.” You wasted life, why wouldn’t you waste death? Ocean Breathes Salty
Some are just ironically uplifting.
Well, a fake Jamaican took every last dime with a scam It was worth it just to learn from sleight-of-hand Bad news comes don’t you worry even when it lands Good news will work its way to all them plans We both got fired on exactly the same day Well we’ll float on good news is on the way. Float On
And some are just eerily true.
For every invention made how much time did we save? We’re not much farther that we were in the cave. The View
It’s one thing to have an album with great beats and rhythms but it’s another to have rich, thought provoking lyrics. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Modest Mouse put something really powerful out there. Good News For People Who Love Bad News will instigate pondering and keep your foot tapping.
Comments
Charles G
Aye, this album is definitely one of my favorites of theirs. Doesn’t quite beat out the lonesome crowded west, but it’s leaps and bounds better than the moon and antartica. It’s been awhile since an album like this has come out for me because it seems each time I listen to it I discover something new. When I was listening to it I seemed to have a different favorite song every other day. I’ve kind of overplayed it a bit and now need a rest though, might I suggest the new Wilco?
Justin
When I first got this album, I would listen to it repeatedly day in, day out. You’ve pointed out some of my favorites (World at Large, Bukoski, The View), but the entire end of the CD is really where my heart lies. Blame It On The Tetons, Black Cadillacs, One Chance and Good Times Are Killing Me. Isaac is a truly amazing song writer. His lyrics have taken an interesting change in direction with the latest album. It’s almost like he’s incredibly pissed off, but he hasn’t lost the super sarcasstic wit that can bring a smile to my face no matter how depressing the mood is.The new Wilco is very rocking indeed, a great alternative when you’ve reached your Good Times quota.
Nathan Borror http://www.playgroundblues.com/
I got The Mood and Antarctica. It’s pretty good. Ugly Cassanova’s not bad either, I listed to a little Sharpen Your Teeth on iTunes.
Mackenzie Moore
Do you have their first one, (modestmouse) I just got it, it’s neat to hear how things started out. also, the lead singer has a side project called uglycasanova which was released maybe a 1.5 agoits more acoustic but it’s good too.
Nathan Borror http://www.playgroundblues.com/
Mackenzie, is that you?!? I’ve heard so much about this Wilco album. I guess it’s time I get off my ass and buy it. My friend just gave me an old Modest Mouse, can’t wait to give it a listen.
Mackenzie Moore
yes nathan, I agree too bad that the closest place they are touring to us is Texas
Shaun Inman http://www.shauninman.com
My current favorite from Good News would have to be this line from The Ocean Breathes Salty: “For your sake I hope Heaven and Hell are really there, but I wouldn’t hold my breath—you wasted Life, why wouldnt you waste Death? “Choice.