I know I’ve been absent for a few weeks now, for several reasons that I’d rather not discuss, but I’m back and ready to roll.
I would like to remind everybody of the hidden gems on Good New For People Who Love Bad News. Everybody knows about “Float On” and “Satin in a Coffin”, but here are two of my favorite tracks of Modest Mouse’s 2004 album.
Modest Mouse – The Good Times Are Killing Me
Modest Mouse – Blame It On The Tetons
-Bishop
A while back I ran across this band, Mimicking Birds, and was immediately hooked. It’s nothing groundbreaking, just the home recordings of a man by the name of Nate Lacy.
Hailing from Portland Lacy attracted the attention of another local band that has gotten a little bit more attention, Modest Mouse. Isaac Brock and his band mates even brought Mr. Lacy out on tour, having him open for the band.
Since then Lacy has recruited some help for his live shows, Tim Skellenger on guitar and Aaron Hanson on drums. According to their myspace page, we should be expecting their first LP sometime in the near future. I look forward to it.
-Bishop-
Today, a music video for the Modest Mouse song “King Rat” was unveiled on MySpace. It was directed by none other than Heath Ledger, and was an uncompleted project at the time of his death. It’s an animated video, that starts a little bit strangely and ends more than a little gruesomely. Yes, I do think that the video is getting more attention that it otherwise would’ve if Heath was still alive, however I also think that it’s worth watching. Viewers beware, it does get gross.
Just a quick note – there’s a new Modest Mouse song, “History Sticks to Your Feet” available for streaming on Pitchfork. The song is a b-side from the band’s upcoming release, Perpetual Motion Machine, which will be released on vinyl July 21st. This definitely isn’t the catchiest song they’ve ever recorded, but it’s nice to keep tabs on what they’re up to.
Happy double birthday to Jack White and Isaac Brock, who both turn 34 today. Jack White is perhaps the more well known of the two, having founded three different groups, two of which have met with great success and one of which is recently new but has started well for him. He is most well known for his first band, The White Stripes, the duo formed with his ex-wife but still good friend Meg White. In particular, the album Elephant stands out as moment of excellence for the band. His other two groups have also gone on to be quite successful, both the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather have serious rock and roll cred.
Isaac Brock is the founder of Modest Mouse, one of my favorite bands of my youth and creators of two of my favorite all time albums with The Lonesome Crowded West and The Moon & Antarctica. Not to say their other work isn’t accomplished as well, they have been one of the leading forces of the indie world over the last 10 years. “Dramamine” is my favorite song from them, and currently holds the distinction of the only song ever posted twice on this blog (I think).
-Donovan
Well, more like a tsunami. These days, it seems like the new music just keeps coming. So far, we’ve reported on new tunes from fork/knife favorites like Fleet Foxes and Wilco. Before you’ve even had time to process those, there’s more to hear.
First off is Modest Mouse. Since their 2007 album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, these guys have been touring the U.S. and (quietly) releasing some new songs. The band has recently posted a song called “Satellite Skin” which is soon to be released as a single on vinyl (woot!). It sounds a lot like their other songs, but I’ll let you decide whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
Stream: Modest Mouse – “Satellite Skin”
Next up is Iron and Wine. Sam Beam (above) and friends are getting ready to release a “rarities compilation” in the next week or so. It’s called Around The Well. The album is a double CD release, also available on 3 vinyl LP’s. The whole thing is free to listen to on the band’s MySpace. If you’re not familiar with the group, they’re known for making quiet acoustic songs with some southern heart. Take a listen! So far I’m really liking Around The Well.
Stream: Iron and Wine – Around The Well
Phew! That about does it for the new stuff at the moment, I’m sure there’ll be more to come. Let the summer begin! So far, 2009 is turning out to be a year of great music, and it can only get better.
-Chris
This week’s cruisin’ song marks the first recorded time an artist is repeated. However, it is my opinion that this repetition should be welcomed due to the cruisiness of the two songs in question. The song comes off Modest Mouse’s debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, as the leading track. Even though Modest Mouse has gone on to have quite an illustrious career since then, and by no means do I think this is their best album, I would have to say I think this is their best song. There’s something about the raw emotionality of it.
Modest Mouse – Dramamine
Buy Song:ITunes
-Donovan
April 18, 2009
Thanks to my dad, it has come to my attention that this April we will celebrate the second annual Record Store Day! It’s quite clear that there is a vinyl explosion happening these days, and this idea seems like a great addition to the market. Their website gives you a solid description of what happens:
“This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists in the United States and in various countries across the globe make special appearances and performances.”
Seems like a solid idea, especially when Modest Mouse is supposedly releasing the first of a series of four new 7″ singles just for this day, among other great events with artists and products. Anyway, make sure you find a local independent records store near you and support them, especially April 18th. To help you remember we’ve added a nifty little countdown clock over there on the right of our page. Otherwise you might miss out on something like this:
LCD Soundsystem- No Love Lost (Joy Division cover)
itunes/amazon
LCD Soundsystem MySpace
Record Store Day website
-Chandler
While not as badass as last week’s entry to the series, this week’s definitely brings the funk a lot more. Off the indescribably monumental album The Moon & Antarctica, this track jumps off as being the grooviest. With lyrics involving punching people in the glasses and hell freezing over, this song is quite a thrill ride, and one of Modest Mouse’s best.
Modest Mouse – Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
Buy Song: iTunes
-Donovan
First of all, let me apologize for not posting the last couple of days, but I was stuck in Death Valley overnight after getting two flat tires. Long story. Anywho, I’m back to bring you another song of the week.
Now, everyone is drooling over Karin Dreijer’s (a.k.a the chick from The Knife) self-titled debut album under the name Fever Ray. I, however, am not. Therefore, her new single “If I had a Heart” is not the song of the week, because it sucks. So, uninspired by the new music lately, I’ve decided to give you a song that I listened to yesterday as I slipped in and out of sleep in the front seat of our Jeep. Donovan told me this was Modest Mouse’s best song a while ago, and after listening to their earlier stuff, I would have to agree with him. It’s the first song from their debut album “This Is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Talk About” released in ‘96, and it’s great. It just goes to show Donovan usually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to music, except Joanna Newsom.
Modest Mouse- Dramamine
Buy song: iTunes
-Chandler
