Customer Reviews

Whenever You See Fit (Split Ep)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD/EP is actually 3 versions of a single song, a collaboration between Northwest indie rockers Modest Mouse and the recently broken-up 764-Hero. I'm not much of a fan of the latter, but they are used here quite well, and this is truly Modest Mouse at its best.

The single is one of the greatest Modest Mouse compositions ever recorded, and easily the best "really long" song I own. At over 14 minutes, "Whenever You See Fit" is pure musical genius, the sparse songplay of the lead singer of 764-Hero, mixing with Isaac's shouted words, squeezing in between soaring guitars and drums. It's brilliant and beautiful and affecting for the entire 14 minutes. In fact, if anything, I wished this song could have continued even longer. it's that good.

The other 2 versions of the song on the EP are shorter dance/DJ re-mixes that really don't add anything to the music. I don't think I've listened to them more than once. But the CD is worth the purchase for the one single alone, which I believe is not available on any other Modest Mouse release.

I hesitated at getting this EP for my great fear of remixes. Anyone who has ever heard They Might Be Giants' "World's Address" remix or more recently, the remix of Tenacious D's "Explosivo" would understand where I am coming from.

The first track is a long 14 minute jam that doesn't seem to get boring at the least, and should provide sufficient entertainment for any Modest Mouse fan despite its endless redundancy. (I will be honest, I haven't heard anything else from 764-HERO, so this review is from a Modest Mouse fan's perspective). The following two tracks are much shorter remixes of Whenever You See Fit, and both are, thankfully, not overdone (once again, see above remix examples.) In fact, the three tracks blend together so nicely that I didn't find myself sick of the song by the end of the third track.

This EP makes a great CD to complete a Modest Mouse fan's collection, but those unfamiliar with MM may want to start elsewhere. If you are curious about MM and want to keep it [affordable], I would recomment either the Fruit that Ate Itself for their old sound or Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks for the new sound. If price isn't an issue, than I would highly recommend the absolutely incredible Moon and Antarctica.

Not quite the standard mouse fare, but close. There are a few difffernt versions of this. The looooong 14 minute ones, and the short one. They are very different. I'm not sure if the short one is on the CD of this (I have the vinyl)but it can be downloaded. The long version sounds exactly like you'd expect, a cross between 764-HERO and the mouse. The short one is slightly dub influenced and very electronic sounding, not much guitar at all. Overall a good CD for hardcore fans, otherwise, stay away you're better off with one of their other offerings.

would you like to escape for a lil while?...

from the pacific northwest, here's my favorite modest mouse collaboration with 764-HERO. i'll never forget the first time i heard whenever you see fit. for over 14 minutes, two spacey guitar chords, circling drums and clashing vocals screaming within intensely sad lyric repetitions made me sit completely still. despite its long length, the music never became boring. in fact, it felt so good, i kept on pressing repeat over and over again so i could stay in that daze forever.

talking on the telephone
looking like we're all alike, we're all alone
(whenever you see fit)
and, everything you ever said
and you'll wake up early and you'll live to regret
(nothing is clear)
and you'll wake up early and you'll live to regret
(tell the truth)
and you'll wake up early and you'll live to regret
(whenever you go wrong)
and you'll wake up early and you'll live to regret
(everything's fine)

i bought this cd maybe....2003? 2004? i listen to it often. it makes me wish modest mouse did more stuff like this. 764 hero is also quite good, i bought another one of their cds at the same time and got interested and bored as it goes. the other reviews here seem to look with disdain on the other two, shorter tracks, track two, same remix is kind of house music. track three(same music) was remixed to utter parallel perfection. salty and sweet. its made to sound as if under water. i get such great vibes from hearing the two of them together. must buy if you like Issacs off works. if your a new mm fan this may be a little to revealing.

If you're unsure about a fourteen-minute long number, I can understand. I downloaded the song "Whenever You See Fit" out of curiosity over three years ago, wondering what in the world such a thing would sound like, and have been listening to it at least once a week ever since. You would think that one would grow tired of such a lengthy song quite quickly, but that has not been the case at all. I enjoyed that one so much I got the rest of the EP.

The sound is more sparse than you may be used to for either of the bands for the most part, but there is a range of emotion here though it is as a previous reviewer said, a miscellany of sorts. It's somewhat hard to describe, but I certainly suggest that you try it out first-hand.

This is a great cd to own if you like either band. And if you have not heard either band, this song is an amazing tune that you should at least hear once. The vocal styles of Isaac Brock and John Atkins are not very similar and sound strange at first, but they work together very well. Great purchase for anyone who likes good sound.