Search - Modest Mouse :: The Moon & Antarctica

Heartbreaking and inspiring

Poe Argento | Blackwood, nj United States | 05/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never really known of Modest Mouse when I bought The Moon and Antarctica. I tend to buy albums on a whim and in a flurry. Perhaps I read a review somewhere along the line and made a mental note of it. Whatever the case may be, the bottom line is this album has become so much to me. I was going through a really down time when I purchased it. My absentee father had just died (not seeing him for 16 years oddly made it even more devastating for me) and I was searching for something to hang onto to get me through. As soon as I listened to 3rd Planet, the opener, I was in tears of reflection and a sort of undercurrent of optimism. And that continued for weeks, if not months. I listened to it back to back sometimes. To say that Brock is a great vocalist would be incorrect, and to miss the point. He brings a certain jagged vulnerability to everything he writes and sings. He's sort of like a crazy poet. Just reading his lyrics do them no justice. It's when you hear them in the context of the song, with his many vocal styles that the meaning becomes clear. You feel what he's saying despite the lyrics being abstract. And on this album, we travel through life, death and 'what does it all mean?' with Brock. There are times when you'll tear up, times when you'll smile nostalgically and other times when you'll become frustrated because the questions he raises have no answer, and like him, you're begging for a clue.



There are no weak tracks on this cd. But my standouts are : 3rd Planet, Tiny Cities Made of Ashes, Perfect disguise, The Stars are Projectors and What People Are Made of (which puts a perfect blunt spin on all the rumination of the album)



You can't go wrong with this album. And I think you'll find yourself collecting more Modest Mouse albums soon after."

Lives up to the hype

JMatt | Annapolis, MD USA | 04/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'll admit, I'm a bandwagon Modest Mouse fan. I heard Float On on the radio, and, on the power of that single, bought Good News for People Who Love Bad News. I was blown away by the first half of that album (let's face it, it starts going downhill with Dance Hall), and immediately wanted more.



The Internet, where all answers can be found, recommended I try The Moon and Antarctica next, as it's supposed to be their renowned "classic." Pitchfork compares it to OK Computer as a landmark in rock.



I'm not going to go through song-by-song, but trust me, my expectations were fulfilled and then some. There are one or two songs I'm not a huge fan of individually, but they're all powerful when you listen to the album all the way through - which, with only a trace of indie snobbery, I suggest, is the only real way to experience this album. The emotions are powerful, the lyrics are deep, the music is expertly composed on all levels.



Buy it. Buy it on Marketplace because it's a lot cheaper that way (note to Marketplace sellers: keep it up! I have had nothing but great experiences from you guys!), but buy it."

One of the best and underrated...

William Hoffknecht | Fernley, NV | 12/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Modest Mouse have given us many gems over the years and this one is one of my favorites.



Any album that can open up so beautifully with the songs of "3rd Planet" and "Gravity Rides Everything" is a great record off the bat. Then through some musical ups and downs ends with "What People are Made of" which is one of those tracks that can sum up a lot of albums.



Lyrically good, melodically great, instrumentation good. Overall, a great effort on the part of these lads. One of the best indie albums!



Also, if you like this, check out the bluegrass tribute to Modest Mouse! It is friggin awesome and their version of "Gravity Rides Everything" I almost like better I am sorry to say!"