Modest Mouse – No One’s First, And You’re Next album review from modmove

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No One’s First, And You’re Next
– Modest Mouse
This collection of B-sides from any band other than Modest Mouse would smell of the scent of record company profiteering. A group never really comfortable with the ‘next big thing’ tag or the media attention given via the sales success of their 2004 album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse have stayed true to an ethos of doing what feels right to them musically and then letting the financial chips fall where they may. The uneven nature of their music and the follow up album to Good News, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank show a band far more comfortable with the tag eclectic than affluent.

That individualistic approach has led to a collection of tracks that shine, each in their own way. Be it the hiccup angst of Satellite Skin, the warble rock of Guilty Cocker Spaniels, the easy banjo sway of Autumn Beds or my personal favorite, the cavalcade of over bent notes that make up the bulk of the track The Whale Song. Regimented radio fare this is most certainly not.

Perpetual Motion Machine would be great at the next wedding between a Goth girl and a suit boy when they need a waltz number for the money dance. History Sticks To Your Feet would work admirably behind scratchy black and white newsreel footage and King Rat’s juke joint fancy footwork sidesteps towards the EP’s close. Last track, I’ve Got It All (Most) ends things on an almost conventional note, except for the fact this band has no real conventional sound at all.

Cheer for the underdog even when he kicks the stuffing out of the king quarterback, school president, trust fund baby. Part time winners need love too.
Rob Hudson
www.modestmouse.com

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