thanks Jane, I haven't heard this perspective on the album before - always good to see you back

Thanks, good review, and I agree about those goddam indie snobs! (although we can all be one at times I guess...not me of course, as a U2 fan, but...;-))

Still, I think Modest Mouse's earlier stuff was better than "Good News..." "The Moon and Antarctica remains my favorite effort of their, I just like the atmosphere more. Still, hearing them on the radio doesn't bother me; if anything, I'm glad to see them gain popularity, it made it easier for me to catch them on this tour!

I still love the insane rawness of "The Fruit That Ate Itself" but the new stuff is good, even if it is different.

In terms of "selling out" I still struggle with this immature notion at times, but the fact remains that musicians deserve to buy houses and make mortgage payments just like the rest of us sellouts. It is tough for me to keep that in mind sometimes.

My opinion is that Modest Mouse has never been a good or much less great band, which makes this album's popularity a bit of a shock to me. I do think that "Float On" is a decent single notwithstanding its blatant unoriginality but nothing else on the album stands out. Brock has never struck me as a good songwriter; just an above average noise maker. Because they have always seemed overrated to these ears, it comes as no surprise that people are buying "Good News..." up in bushels. They have always been a very trendy "underground" band, why would they stop being so as a "major label" band? If one really examined their ouvre with an objective ear, I think they would find a whole lot of the Emperor wearing no clothes. Not a substantial enough band to really become dissapointed with in the first place. As "sellouts" or "nobodies," who cares?

Well thank you Eric.

Man, I'm completely overwhelmed by all these comments. Let me just first state that the title to my posting was meant to be ironic. I guess I was trying to make that point that when i was a younger, I got outraged by bands "selling out to the man." I'm not like that anymore. I outed myself about liking Sheryl Crowe for crissakes. I guess I should have supplied sarcasm html tags to my title, so sorry. I am sorta a indie snob, but I'm working on that by listening to jazz and discovering kitshcy delights like Firefall.

And yes, The Mouse deserve their house in the Hamptons or whatever. If Jeff Tweedy can get a fixer upper, why can't they?

I would made some references to "The Moon and Antarica" in my review, but I haven't heard it yet, but thanks for bringing it up Anon. I need to get a copy, because lots of folks tell me that it's good.

Sorry about my horrible grammar folks. I'm doing twelve things at once tonight.

And thanks again for the comments. I live for feedback.

Good News... is definitely more immediate than their previous albums. Perhaps that means it's more accessible, but I've never seen that as a bad thing if it's done well.

I think Float On is one of the finest songs of the year. It conjures a perfect triumphant mood and it's daaamn good. I guess I should be glad I ignore the radio and don't have to worry about them playing it out for me.

Moon & Antarctica is def a good album, though I haven't given it the attention it probably deserves... I'm a bit of a recent convert.

So am I.

And if it wasn't for my ex-boyfriend i would have never discovered "The Lonesome Crowded West," which i think is an incredible album.
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2004/07/23/023010.php

Thanks for further verification that "The Moon and Antartica" is worthwhile listening.