CD Review: Modest Mouse

No One's First and You're Next (Epic)

Wed, Aug 5, 2009 at 4:00 am

No One's First and You're Next

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Since signing to a major label in 2001, Modest Mouse have continued to act like they're still on an indie. The band regularly issues vinyl singles and puts out random collections of tunes like this disc, a compilation of eight limited-edition 7-inch singles the band recently released. The album commences with the constipated vocals of "Satellite Skin" and turns things up a notch with "Guilty Cocker Spaniels," which finds Isaac Brock spitting more than singing. He sounds a bit spastic on "I've Got It All (Most)" too. Brock's in better form on the twangy "Autumn Beds," where he even plays a bit of banjo. "Perpetual Motion Machine" features a terrific contribution from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and on "The Whale Song," guitarist Johnny Marr delivers a moody melody that goes well with the layered vocals. Though it's not very cohesive, No One's First and You're Next shows just how prolific and inspired the band continues to be. — Jeff Niesel