Modest Mouse is a Seattle based band, but so hidden from view has this outfit been that for me they could have come from another planet. I’m pleased they didn’t because the band and this album have much to offer those of us who are generally bored with most of what’s on offer right now.

Formed as far back as 1994, the band comprises of (guitars and vocals), Eric Judy (bass), and Dan Galucci (guitar and keyboards). A short horn intro leads into track two, The World At Large, and the magic begins… Imagine a cross between The Flaming Lips and Grandaddy, with a more acute lyrical sense than both, and perhaps you can understand why this band excites me. This song is the whole box of dice: strong melody, quirky ambience, wonderful lyrics (“Ice-age heat wave, can’t complain. If the world’s at large, why should I remain? Walked away to another plan.”), cute chorus and good vocal. There is a hint of Flaming Lips Yoshimi about it but I ain’t complaining.

The next track is Float On which will be released as a single in July, and I can understand why. It has a driving dance beat underpinned by another strong melody and optimistic vibe (“I backed my car into a cop car the other day. Well he just drove off, sometimes life’s OK.”). But there are also other potential singles here including the next great Beck flavoured Ocean Breathes Sally or indeed the following rap and beats infested Bury Me With It.

By now you should be getting the message that this album is full great songs, more singles than you could poke a stick at, and with diversity at every turn. Bukowski sounds like the soundtrack to a Munsters movie, while The Devil’s Workday could accompany a Charlie Chaplin movie, and Satin In A Coffin has a distinct blue grass flavour with a bit of black deep-south funeral march thrown in for good measure. Then there’s the tantalising, meandering beauty of Blame It On The Tetons and the heady blues/roots vibe of concluding track The Good Times Are Killing Me.

Modest Mouse has arrived with a shout rather than a squeak, and this album should fly. Strongly recommended.

4.5/5