“We’re lucky that, we’re lucky that we slept. Didn’t seem like we realized we’d be stuck in traffic.” These are the first lyrics sung off of Modest Mouse’s new album, “Strangers to Ourselves” — and they’re completely appropriate given that, as any Modest Mouse fan knows, this album has been stuck in traffic for eight years.
“Strangers to Ourselves” is the sixth studio album from the indie behemoth Modest Mouse, which hasn’t released a studio album since “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank” in 2007. Led by front man Isaac Brock, Modest Mouse has been through an evolutionary journey since its early 1990’s debut. It’s seen its fair share of members leave and join.
The album opens with a track that shares the album’s name. Its slow start fills the mind with the nostalgia of Modest Mouse’s 20-year history. The soothing sound is everything you’d expect from a slow Modest Mouse song — in the best way — but it doesn’t last long. The next track, “Lampshades on Fire,” brings the upbeat sound with Brock’s lyrics over his own ba-ba-bass. This track is the most powerful off of the album and stands on its own against the bands most popular songs.
Some songs appear to stand out much more than others throughout this 15-track album, but each brings its own unique experience to the table. “Wicked Campaign” stands out as one of the more powerful ballads, with lyrics to match. “Of Course We Know,” the closing track, feels similar to the opening song but adds a little more zeal.
While some of the music displays deep and intricate emotions, they also seem to not be taking themselves as seriously as you’d think. Their shortest track on the album, clocking in at one minute and 17 seconds, is titled “God is an Indian and You’re an Asshole.” This catchy folk tune’s lyrics are simply “God is an Indian and you’re an asshole, get on your horse and ride,” repeated throughout its short duration.
Fans will be happy to know that they will not have to wait another eight years for another album from the band. Brock recently said that he was far into working on a companion album to this one that he hopes to release as soon as possible. If one thing is for sure, Modest Mouse has returned, and it’s not going away again any time soon.