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
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2009.
