Album of the Year - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank

I know it may seem a little premature to be naming the Album of the Year, but we here at ISLAG feel that with "Weird" Al on haitus and Britney coked out of her f-cking head, the music isn't going to get any better in 2007 than it is right now.

That said, the new Modest Mouse album, "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank", is the Album of the Year for 2007. After spending a week with an advanced copy (ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies), I can honestly say it's F-CKING AWESOME.

Johnny Marr (former member of The Smiths), joined the band for this album and I credit him for taking them to the next level of greatness. This album sounds alot like their last, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News", but with the songwriting kicked up a notch and a touch of 80s thrown in for good measure. And that goes a long way for me. (When I say 80s here, I'm talking Big Country/General Public/and, yes, The Smiths - not T'Pau/Will To Power/Taco.)

When I heard the first single off this album, the Arcade-Firey "Dashboard", I must admit I was...whelmed. It's good, but not as good as the majority of tracks off their last effort. I'm happy to report that "Dashboard" is not one of the stronger tracks on the album, though it is one of the more radio friendly.

The power from this album comes from tracks such as the cinematic ballad(?) "Missed the Boat", the 8 minute droning guitar symphony that is "Spitting Venom", and the dead-solid hooks in "Florida" and "Fire It Up". It doesn't hurt any that the production is spot on. Dennis Herring, the dude who produced thier last album, did another stellar job here. 

I can't express in words how into this album I am right now. "I love it so much I want to take it back behind the middle school and get it pregnant" is a good start though.

Run to your record store on March 20th and pick it up. It's the sh-t.

Comments

[Max]

I love you for the Big Country and General Public reference.

[Pauly D]

I want you to know I just pre-ordered it on iTunes sight unseen. If it sucks, I'm coming after you.