2x****
A quieter and somewhat less varied album than Ghosts Of The Great Highway , the tone is set by subtle "Exit Does Not Exist". "Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes"**** is as driving as any of their songs are though, built on a cycling rhythm that floats between the chord changes. "Neverending Math Equation" is a band song but might as well be Counting Crows. "Space Travel Is Boring" has one hook but it doesn't amount to much. "Dramamine" is a darker "Tiny cities" but darker, but with less development. "Jesus Christ Was An Only Child" does manage some orchestral lushness. "Four Fingered Fisherman" and "Grey Ice Water" continue a trend toward a 70's singer-songwriter concept. "Convenient Parking" is finally a sharp departure to a dark, modal Lindsey Buckingham mood. "Trucker's Atlas"**** is another straightforward, rustically finger-picked tune, but far over this album's quota for hooks and ideas. "Ocean Breathes Salty" is again solidly on par.
Comments
Did you know that this is an album of Modest Mouse covers? I hear he also did an album of AC/DC covers...