As the sun brightens with the changing weather of spring, music enthusiasts search for the perfect album that will make a new home for itself inside of car stereos on summer road trips, the song on constant repeat at annual beach barbeques and the song blaring over bon fires into the cool summer night air. Needless to say the light, airy sounds of indie rock’s hottest band, Modest Mouse, is the perfect type of music summer fanatics and music enthusiasts crave at this time of year. Isaac Brock, the lead vocalist for Modest Mouse, recruited former Smiths guitarist, Johnny Marr, to help collaborate with the band’s seventh album since the band was first formed in 1993. In addition, James Mercer from The Shins, makes a guest appearance on three songs; “Florida,” “Missed the Boat,” and “We’ve Got Everything.” With the return of drummer Jeremian Green, Modest Mouse’s latest album “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” released March 20, 2007, emphasizes the true talent of the band’s creativity that fans adore.
The tone of the new album remains consistent with the band’s previous album Good News for People Who Love Band News. However, Marr’s phenomenal work on guitar adds an element of fantasy to the folky melodies found in the band’s new album. Speaking about the collaboration with NME magazine, Isaac Brock said, “You know, I really like that guy’s guitar playing. There’s no chance in hell he’s going to say yes, but why not give him a call?” Marr agreed to play with the band and, over the course of recording the album, managed to become an official member and will be touring with them.
The album’s collaboration with Mercer reaches out to indie rock fans of both the Shins and Modest Mouse, giving them three songs to bond over. Although Mercer’s presence in the album is subtle, his work as back up vocalist in the song “Missed the Boat”, is gaining a high level of praise for its charismatic, catchy lyrics which make it impossible not to hum along to.
The second track on the album, “Dashboard” is a favorite for FM fans who fell in love with the band’s previous radio singles “Float On” and “Ocean Breathes Salty.” Other songs on the album such as “Fire it Up,” which Brock praises as the stoner anthem of the year, “March Into the Sea” and “Spitting Venom” with its remarkable trumpet solo near the end, will be the most memorable of the album. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank combines elements of acoustic guitar with that of alternating electric rifts for a unique sound that will not disappoint.
