Modest Mouse At The United Palace Theater
Jackson and I went up to Washington Heights to the newest rock music venue in NYC, The United Palace Theater, to see Modest Mouse last night. We met my friend John and a friend of his and saw a typically great show by Modest Mouse.
It was easy to see the impact of Johnny Marr on the band. The new songs have his signature guitar sound all over them.
But for me, it's Tiny City Of Ashes and Doing The Cockroach that define a Modest Mouse show. They did them both, in succession, last night and they were raucous as usual. I love it when Isaac gets all worked up singing these songs.
I also really enjoyed the live version of Education, a song I like off the new record.
Education - Modest Mouse - We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank
The addition of Johnny Marr ain't bad, and maybe as the band has matured they've been needing a new member like him to help them explore their sound.
Still, I like the old stuff the most, back when MM was carrying the torch of indie rock... back when Doing The Cockroach was about their own lives. In the 90's, MM was raw in a way that put grunge to shame; with Marr, they sound refined, almost to the point of decadence.
Posted by: Eric Eldon | May 01, 2007 at 12:51 PM
What did you think of the venue?
Posted by: John Dodds | May 02, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Fred:
Needed to leave a new music recommendation for you. You've been the source of an uncanny number of spot-on recommendations for me over the past couple of years. Need to return the favor.
Just downloaded the new Dinosaur Jr album from eMusic this morning. Still on the first listen, but this is a fantastic album. Go grab it.
DAVE
Posted by: Dave Hyndman | May 04, 2007 at 09:58 AM