Mice that roar like a pack of lions
Not exactly the most elegant set of words I have ever written, but the only thing I could think of when I heard Good News for People Who like Bad News was:
“This is good. Seriously good.”
I was dubious about the name but the band sound nothing like what I expected. But then again, unless you’ve already heard Modest Mouse, you won’t have a clue what they’re like and no amount of reviews will change that. For one thing, Isaac Brock has a sensuous, stunning voice. It’s so versatile that daytime TV programs must be itching to find the equivalent to sell to lonely housewives. This is a man that can make a yelp sound powerful, and a growl as potent as it was meant to be.
Throughout this album moments hit you where there is nothing to do but stop what you’re doing and just laugh with sheer enjoyment and amazement at the quirky magnificence found. Take the song "Bukowski" for example. It’s so confident in itself that it stands up and openly mocks higher beings, labelling them control freaks. Brock’s lyrics are so all-knowing you find yourself agreeing without even realising it. Beauty resides next to chilling madness which hints at Tom Waits under the eccentric name of "This Devils Workday". Obviously these four men, Brock in particular, have had something drastic done to their minds.
I could say that Modest Mouse are redefining rock, but they’re not. Rock music has always been about the different - the band which stands out from the crowd is the band that becomes rich. Above all, rock music is all about teaching someone something, even if it is only about the pleasure found in a good beer. Modest Mouse look at death frequently, but not with fear. They stare at it with wide eyes that show knowledge not apprehension. Every song on "Good News..." has something to explain, something to show.
“Even if things end up a bit heavy, we’ll all float on”
He may not have been talking about his album, but Brock had the right idea when he wrote "Float On". With such heavy moods running inside this album, it’s a good thing there are a few light hearted songs, such as this one, scattered throughout.
One of the contenders for the best song on the album is "Black Cadillacs". It saunters along before calmly exploding into a rousing chorus. The song changes direction and pace so often it’s more like three songs placed into a blender for 30 seconds.
My words can’t fully explain how remarkable this album is, for I don’t have the talent Isaac Brock has when it comes to words. This is one of those records you have to hear yourself to believe. Modest Mouse are worthy of your attention. "Good News…" is the first album in at least a month that whilst playing, I have turned to my Hi-Fi and stared in astonishment. That sound is hard to pinpoint, but the nearest you can probably get to it is by quoting Brock himself:
“One chance to get everything right… And if we’re lucky we might.”
Modest Mouse are lucky indeed because this album is exquisite and worthy of every single positive word ever written, or spoken, about it.