Customer Reviews

Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It cracks me up that "purist" Modest Mouse fans give this album a lower rating because it isn't like Building Something Out of Nothing or A Long Drive or Lonesome Crowded West or Moon Over Antartica. To me, that's like complaining that Radiohead's The Bends isn't anything like Pablo Honey or that Kid A isn't anything like OK Computer. What makes Modest Mouse and Radiohead awesome bands is that they experiment with sounds while still staying true to their own creative direction. Their sounds change. If you want Modest Mouse to keep re-releasing versions of Lonesome then I say you don't really appreciate the full scope of their music.

On Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks, Modest Mouse sounds like they're playing a small club on a mellow Thursday night in the middle of a Northwest rainy winter, not tearing up The Showbox on a sweaty Saturday night in the heat of summer. The two gems are Night on the Sun and Here It Comes, although every song is fantastic with one notable exception: #5. This is a bit of a stinker. I skip it every time because it sounds like filler. That said, the stripped down sound and slower tempo of this album is a striking contrast to other MM albums, and equally satisfying.

The great thing about Modest Mouse is that they change their style so constantly, yet unequivocally maintain the music that makes them modest mouse. They range from the consistently brooding Moon and Antarctica, the psychadelic Lonesome Crowded West, the lyrically genius Building Nothing out of Something, and a mix of all three
This CD i would consider a "sampler" since it draws from different Modest Mouse cd's...A more varied CD, and good for a fan to test out to see if they will like modest mouse.

I am quite surprised that several of these tracks didn't make it on to MandA, namely Night on the Sun, So much Beauty in Dirt, and Here it Comes. The purchase price is at least worth these three songs, all of which compare to some of the best from any of their earlier works.

However, I must admit that this album tends to go the same route as MandA, which to me is unfortunate. The polish and sparkle on MandA is beautiful and haunting, but doesn't have the raw energy present on Long Drive or Lonesome Crowded West.

All in all, as a huge fan of the band over the years, I am quite satisfied with their latest work (though perhaps not as much as when I first heard LCW or Long Drive).

I can understand why some MM purists may not like the lack of screamy Isaac on this disc. Those who are familiar with MM's earlier stuff are probably like me and enjoy the odd combination of noise and tranquility previously only pulled off by the Pixies and some others. Personally, I think the EP further demonstrates the maturity of the band, despite the lack of real "noise for the sake of noise." The structure and eery complexity that was apparent on Moon and Antarctica is still here, although all songs remain rather calm and solemn.

The best way to approach this disc is to see it as sort of an expanded CD single for "I Came as a Rat" rather than a standalone release. (Keep in mind, most of the new tracks are ones that just wouldn't fit on Moon and Antarctica.)

By the way, leave it to Modest Mouse to release an EP that's 35 minutes long!

I bought this c.d. not knowing what was in surprise for me. I had not even heard of them when I bought it. I've read a fair share of reviews on this album giving it no credit, I think that's wrong. although I haven't heard anything else from them( this being sad) this is a great album. What's great is you can just pop it into your c.d. player, lay on your bed, and fall into a dreamland forgetting about what else is going on around you. In my opinion this c.d. is a must have for any indie rocker. peace.

As wonderful as it was, Modest Mouse's last full-length, Moon & Antarctica, seemed like a tentative experiment in sound, with its excursions into psychedelia. It was a sudden transformation for a band that, til then, had been known for its energetic-yet-morose indie rock music. It was an admirable departure, but was it the beginning of something new and lasting? Well, with the release of Everwhere, looks like MM is truly morphing into a full-on headswirler of a band. Lush, eccentric, inspired, unexpected - that's how I would describe this latest set of songs. Like their brothers-in-oddity The Flaming Lips, MM seem determined to play with their sound as they take us to strange, surreal musical landscapes. Can't wait to find out what they come up with next. People who complain that this isn't the Modest Mouse of old - you're right, so give up your whining. That punky, immature trio is no more. What we have here is a rodent of a different color entirely, and I say let's go with it!

my first introduction to modest mouse was the song "heart cooks brain," off of the Lonesome Crowded West (It was on someones mp3 player). Anyways i can remember thinking "wow this is unlike anything i have ever heard." I soon bought "building nothing out of something" which is a good introduction album to the musical genius that is modest mouse. as for "everwhere and his nasty parlour tricks," its definately one of my favorites. this album just flows. the mood is so mellow...nothing short of amazing. i spent a lot of my summer driving around at night and playing this cd. Some of the high points would be...hell i cant even really choose, i like it all. "your the good things" is a good one, the lyrics are extremely sarcastic and funny. i am by no means an optimistic person, but i love the song "so much beauty in dirt." oh and i cant forget "night on the sun." my words do not do this album justice...it is beyond these relative terms, because what does amazing really mean? you'll just have to check it out for yourself

This EP by Modest Mouse shows just how really good of a band they are! Night on the Sun is a gem along with So Much Beauty in Dirt! Modest Mouse is in my book, one of the greatest bands that walks this planet. Buy this...you will not be disappointed.
Enough said.

this cd is good, their best. at first, i was a little apprehensive to buy it, but i am very glad that i did. from willful suspension, to i came as a rat, it is the best cd i own. it has just the right mix, mostly mellow, with the incredible lyrics (and vocals) of issac brock "i came as advice that came to sure". i think that this record really lets you hear what Modest Mouse "is all about", and would be a great addition the the cd collection of any Modest Mouse fan, (although i would be a little weary to buy this as your first Modest Mouse cd

admittedly, Im not the biggest fan of modest mouse. I dont own all of their albums, Ive never seen them live, I dont like Good News...(which alot of people dont. I dont even own the thing) and I certainly am having a hard time finding any of their indie releases in the area I live in. So since you the reader know I have only a small experience with the beauty that is modest mouse. that being said, this is a phenominal EP. basically take the snippets between some songs on the moon and antarctica and multiply it times 7 and bang heres the album. its rather trippy and definitely a headphone listen. the songs blend well with each other, some of them could even be on the album. my only qualm with this album is that it doesnt sound too great in a terrible system (but what album does?) and I came as a rat and the mix of songs off of the moon and antarctica should not have been included. the mix is a little interesting, but I admit I didnt know it was a mix at first.

buy it, its a nifty album. definitely listen to it at night.