Modest Mouse Band • Page 23

I really don’t get loving WWD but not enjoying STO at all. Weird.

 

well WWD is mad consistent outside of like, two songs, has a kind-of concept and Johnny Marr to hold it together. despite clocking in over an hour I find that album super easy to listen to

STO, for as many good points as it has, is about as inconsistent as you could possibly manage. just haphazardly jumps around in tone, style and pace with no rhyme or reason. I think as a 10-track little album it could have been really really strong, but in present form it's a (sometimes lovable) mess

 

STO has some fantastic cuts though(Ansel, Shit In Your Cut, The Ground Walks, Be Brave, God Is an..etc.).

I even like Pistol

 

God is an Indian is like a nice classic MM track in a short interlude form I love it

 

"Ansel" is one of my least favourite Modest Mouse cuts, nothing remotely memorable there

I love "Ground Walks", "Coyotes", "The Best Room" and the title track too. "Strangers to Ourselves" is one of their most underrated, beautiful moments

 

STO definitely isn’t as cohesive but there are still songs in a similar vein as WWD. I get preferring WWD but that being your favorite and not liking STO is what’s weird to me.

 

I don’t love STO though I’ve certainly tried time and time again. I admit its a tough listen- longwinded, tonally all-over-the-place, and Isaac’s vocals and lyrics are the worst they’ve been in a long time. I do like a few songs, mostly the guitar-heavy ones, but it feels like an album made by a band going through an identity crisis (the album title fits in that sense)

 

Saw it for myself back in October. Can confirm that this is an accurate description of their performance. I was pretty bummed out by it as I was more excited to see them than the Black Keys.

 

"Wicked Campaign" is the only bad song on STO imo

 

Campaign***

They unfortunately didn't cover the Chris issac classic...yet

 

pistol is so awful

 

yea, I forgot that song existed until just now. The version of STO that i listen to is trimmed down to remove tracks I disliked.

 

WWD isn't my favourite (tho it's top 3) and I definitely don't dislike STO, it just frustrates me a lot. the lowest this band has ever got me from a full-length is a 6/10, though if they're about to come out with an album of "Ice Cream Party"-level stuff.... I think they're gonna break that streak :/

 

I was referring to the person that said WWD is their favorite and they don’t like STO at all.

 

I also like WWD and don’t care for STO *shrug*

Def wouldn’t say WWD is my favorite though. Lonesome and Moon forever.

 

STO is really good when it’s not really bad

 

Lonesome is def their opus

 

Moon is

 

Thought it was such an odd pairing. I feel like MM has such a niched audience of dedicated fans and everyone else who sees them just wants to hear Float On

 

I really just am not into how Isaac’s voice sounds on most of STO, sadly.

You’re both right.

 

lonesome is the opus and its not even close.

also, 100% here for 6 + minute mm songs. i love it. hope they expand on this

 

This is generous. They played with zero passion or energy.

 

crazy how this band have four opuses and one of them is a compilation

 

I'd take Moon and Antarctica over LCW but only just. Good News not far behind either

 

STO songs that REALLY hold up well for me: Lampshades, Shit, Ansel, Ground Walks, Coyotes, Sugar Boats (an all-timer for me), God is an Indian, The Best Room.

That's still - what I'd consider - eight very good songs. I'll take that from any band 20 years into their career.

The rest of the songs are low to mid-tier MM.