Join the Musicheads, we're talking about Modest Mouse, Cloud Cult, and Albert Hammond Jr.

I wanted to start things out by saying that after taking even more time to consider these records, I think the Cloud Cult album is my favorite by far. Some of these songs have already slipped into my subconscious; I woke up last night with "Chemicals Collide" in my head. Since Cloud Cult seem to release new albums so often, I think it's tough for any one of their albums to get extra recognition in comparision to the others, but "The Meaning of 8" deserves to get noticed.

Mac, Thanks for getting this thang started. I agree w/you..."The Meaning of 8" really does deserve to be noticed. I like their "we can make a difference" attitude.

Now, I must come clean...Nothing against them, but Modest Mouse does very little for me. Think it's kinda cool Johnny Marr is in the band & that's about it. I cringe when I hear the vocals on that 1st track, March into the Sea.

Am I alone?

Bill, I'm with you on the "March Into the Sea". The vocals are indeed cringe-inducing. I can't stand that song and it is always immediately skipped when I listen to the album. I'm late to the game on MM, don't know much about their back catalog, but I do enjoy this album for the most part. I agree with Mac that "Florida" is a great song. I think James Mercer's backing vocals make a great counterpoint to the lead vocals. It's a darn catchy chorus.

As a Johnny Marr fanatic, I love playing "spot the Marr" guitar parts, and I think he fits in well with the rest of the band. In an interview in Paste magazine, he said he wouldn't have joined if it wasn't going to be a true collaborative effort. He didn't want it to be, as as mentioned, Modest Mouse featuring Johnny Marr. I'm bummed as I'm not able to go see them this weekend. Someone please wave to Johnny for me!

My co-worker played the MM CD 5 times in a row the other day and, I don't know what track it is, but I remember asking, "Is that an oboe on that song?" I can't remember the last time I heard oboe on a rock record. The only song that springs to mind immediately is "Wishful Thinking" by China Crisis from 1982.

The Cloud Cult CD is next on the shopping list. From what I've heard so far, it sounds like it will be worth the purchase.

Frick, China Crisis...now there's a name from the past. I thought they were totally forgotten! I still remember, "King in a Catholic Style" & "Working With Fire & Steel".

You are correct. We don't hear an oboe much in modern music. Though, I do believe Sigur Ros has had an oboe in some of there songs.

I hated "March Into the Sea" when I first heard it, but it was actually one of those songs that grew on me. It takes guts for the band to open their album with a song like that; I kept picturing the teenyboppers playing the album for the first time, saying, "What is THIS?!? omg" It's weird, but was a large part of my argument that I respect the band more for doing stuff like this than to take an easy way out.

I think I still have "Working With Fire and Steel" on vinyl.

I see what you're saying, Mac. I've had plenty of songs that I thought Ihated initially, but they grew on me. Good point.

New to this, couple of thoughts on original topics. Modest Mouse, not a big fan of prvevious material, have not heard all of the new disk but seems like more of the same. More of Strokes fan and really like "101" from Albert Hammond Jr. Is the rest of the CD like that? Not very familiar with Cloud Cult, but have listen to their myspace stuff and it is growing on me. From last weeks discussion on the Stooges and Iggy Popp, best thing I've seen/heard from Iggy recently is his cameo with the Teddy Bears - A punk rocker yes I am.

Thanks for joing the discussion Bob! Yes, I believe the rest of the CD is like "101"...it's very poppy!

I agree with you about Iggy. I have been known to turn Teddybears "Punkrocker" to 11 often!

What are you guys doin bringin up China Crisis? Man, I'm having junior year high school flashbacks now BIG TIME!
Hey I feel a Crucial Currents coming on...

Kidding... ; )

Bob -- if you like the Strokes disc "Room on Fire", you'll like the Hammond album. That's the Strokes record I think "Yours to Keep" has the strongest resemblance to. I think some of the tracks were originally instrumental Strokes B-sides that Hammond fleshed out for the solo record; has anyone else heard this?

Tony, you like RateYourMusic too?

I'm not familiar with RateYour Music, Mac...But I just checked it out and it looks like it deserves further exploration.

Mr. Lopez, thanks for dropping by. Those China Crisis bouncy synthesizer grooves might sound a little dated!!

Anyone going to the Modest Mouse shows this weekend?

Guys, Thanks for some feedback on my ramblings, specifically A Hammond Jr and similarity to the Strokes "Room on Fire". That has to my favorite of the 3 I am familiar with. Tony, I have not heard to the B-sides. China Crisis? Anyone want to weigh-in on The View and their release "Hats off the Buskers"? I came across them in January from a New York Times article. I know the Current is playing them some. I don't think the CD has been released in the states, but they stream most of the album on their site. Moving up the charts in UK and even some youthful controversy. melodic and I tap my toe.

I'm digging what I've heard of The View so far. It's just unfortunate that they share a name with that TV show that I can't stand. I always have to pause to think when I hear The View mentioned.

Just remember, those bouncy synthesizer grooves were once considered cutting edge.

I realized that I didn't mention the live element of Cloud Cult. Craig's wife and others paint huge canvases on stage while the band plays, they often add big light shows and have had some extremely positive reports around the web. They played two nights in NYC recently selling out at least one here's a rave;
http://www.ohmyrockness.com/Venues.cfm?articleID=475

I have a positive view of China Crisis and The View, the band not the TV show!

Frick, when searching The View I add Dryburgh and that helps to stay away from TV View. Ya man- bouncy synthesizer grooves for The View.

Mark, thanks for the info on Cloud Cult and the url. Knew a little, but that added more.

Bob E, Mark & Frick thanks for checkin in! I'm surprised the View (the TV show) didn't squish the band like a bug over the name. Which is a very poor name for a rock band anyway. Besides the name I like what I've heard of the band. Big buzz about em' in England.

BTW: Albert Hammond Jr's "101" video is pretty cool!

The View is a *terrible* band name; they must be impossible to find on the Internet. Kind of like The Music, from a few years back.

I realized recently that I disagreed with Mark & Bill when they said that Albert Hammond Jr. is at his best when sticking to the guitars. He has an intriguing musical pallette: he plays the melodica on one of those Youtube performances of "In Transit", and played the mellotron on the Strokes' "Ask Me Anything". I think Hammond has the potential to develop into a great musician, with little production touches like that.

Mac, thanks for the additional comments on Albert Hammond Jr. I saw on his myspace a June 7 date at Station 4. Have you guys heard about that? Not on Station 4's calendar.

Here's another tough band name to find online; The band Feel with a 2002 power pop album named "Feel".

this may sound a little biased, but modest mouse is amazing. on album, live, and as a creative force. i have every album by them. and if you knew the stuff from them in the past, "march into the sea" is nothing new. the new album was very good. and a logical progression of their journey through the music industry. i know im posting on this months late. but hey. i know they're not for everyone. but as mac said, it takes guts to put a song like that as the opener. love em' or hate em' modest mouse is one of the most creative bands out there today