[sapphiremodena]

I'm going to see Modest Mouse on Sunday night, opening for The Flaming Lips. I wanna get a taste of their sound, but at the moment I'm pretty tied up as far as money and time go. So I was wondering if any Modest Mouse fans could recommend their favourite songs... I've only heard a few songs so far, I really like "Doin' the Cockroach".

And I do plan on buying their albums (well, at least one of them) in the very near future, so, I'm not trying to rip off the band or anything.

Thanks.

 

[markl]

Hmmm... hope you don't think this is a thread crap, but... maybe wait til you see them live before making any hasty investments in their back catalog. I saw them at the Filmore in SF about 2 years ago and they were not very impressive at all. Maybe an off night, but still the "songs" did not impress. The crowd was small and most left early. I've seen hundreds and hundreds of shows, so my standards are high. Anyway, I sold my copy of Moon and Antarctica after that show, I just couldn't get into it YMMV.

Flaming Lips OTOH, now there's a SHOW! And they have tunes, and they make good/great albums (well only the last two were great). They will more than make up for the opening act.

 

[royboy2k]

I like "Heart Cooks Brain" and "3rd Planet."

 

[Trounce]

What's YMMV?

And sapphire, do you know if the flaming lips are playing in TO?

Enjoy the show, dude!

 

[Rizumu]

If I started listing more than one song I'd never stop, so I'll just throw one out there. It's off their Interstate 8 EP which used to be OOP but can now be purchased for $10 from uprecords.com.

Edit the sad parts.

 

[sapphiremodena]

Trounce: I just checked the Lips' tour page, there's only one Canadian stop listed and it's Vancouver, as part of the NewMusicWest 2003 festival. They opened for Beck at the Vogue Theatre last time he was here, which was in December I think. I kinda wish I'd gone to that, but I had no money at the time. I also wish I'd seen Sigur Ros at the Vogue Theatre on Nov 27th 02... Oh well, next time! ...I hear Flaming Lips are awesome live, I just hope I'm not deaf after Coldplay w/ The Music and Eisley tomorrow.

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (meaning that different people have different results, so don't necessarily take what is said as fact, just as opinion... in other words: different strokes for different folks

)

Edit the Sad Parts. I shall check it out, thanks Rizumu!

 

[SBomm]

markl,
Sounds like you have alot more experience with live music than I. But I've always enjoyed shows more if I knew the music first.

 

[LobsterSan]

Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse is a great combination. I started getting into modest mouse about 2 years ago. I heartily reccomend the following albums (and any of the songs on them):

* Lonesome Crowded West
* The Moon and Antarctica

If you liked "doin the cockroach" (which is off the lonesome crowded west disc), you'll also like "polar opposites" and "heart cooks brain" off the same album.

 

[Mr_Happy]

Some songs that popped into my head are cowboy dan off of the lonesome crowded west and the stars are projectors and the cold part off of the moon and antarctica. I only have their last two albums but they're both really good. I like the moon and antarctica a bit more right now because its more cohesive than the lonesome crowded west IMO. It took a while for me to get into modest mouse. Isaac brock doesn't have the most pleasant singing voice and I didn't think much of the moon and antarctica much the first couple of listens, but it really grew on me.

 

[ls20]

never ending math equation
grey ice water
cowboy dan
out of gas
polar opposite
3rd planet
gravity rides everything
a different city
paperthin walls
the waydown


those are some of my favs... they have a song with 764-hero too called "whenevre you see fit" which is pretty killer

 

[GirgleMirt]

Well I'm pretty new to Modest mouse, but 2 songs I like: Trailer Trash, and Teeths like God's shoeshine

And I second the "Knowing the band before going to the show". Usually it takes a few listens before being familiar and really start to like a song, so for a show I think its the same, you'll like it more if you're a bit familar with the music

 

[wab]

The Moon & Antarctica is amazing

 

[blessingx]

Have held on to Ugly Cassonova's "Sharpen Your Teeth", longer than any straight Mouse release. You may want to check that out after the show.

 

[grinch]

modest mouse is, and has been, my favorite band for quite a few years now. liking their music is not what i'd call a common occurence. i personally own almost every piece of vinyl and cd that they've ever put out.

the lonesome crowded west was the first album i got and i have to say it's still my favorite. they got mention even on stereophile because of their latest "the moon and antarctica" and i really do like it, but it doesn't have the same lo-fi feel that i love. lonesome crowded west is also an hdcd, for those interested. most of their stuff can be purchsed from updirect.com for very cheap, but their last couple releases have been on sony/epic so you might be able to find those more easily. i still keep dreaming of an sacd release.

i first saw modest mouse live only a year or two ago, and i have since seen them two more times. i really love them, but i'll just come out and say it: they are not a great live band. they are notoriously drunk at all of their live shows, but their setlists are usually pretty awesome. last tour i saw they had this crazy video playing on a screen behind them that was exceptionally odd but sort of interesting at the same time heh. this was their tour though. i never ever miss a chance to see my favorite band live, but i don't think that seeing them live will get you into their music if that's what you're hoping.

my list of suggestions to listen to before seeing them live:
trailer trash
cowboy dan
broke
i came as a rat
wild pack of family dogs (often a closer for them)
dramamine
night on the sun