The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: Out & About

'WE WERE DEAD BEFORE THE SHIP EVEN SANK'

Modest Mouse

Everyone has an opinion on Modest Mouse, whether you know it or not. The band proved that indies can make it, but they sure pissed off a lot of indies when they did.

With the anthemic "Float On" days behind them, there's a newfound pressure.

With a single, the group doesn't quite do it. There are close calls - the pulsating dancers "Dashboard" and "We've Got Everything" are favorites, but might not reach "Float On" status.

If you decide to take the time to decipher the lyrics, you'll find one politically charged up mind and cheap shots at wartime politics are plenty (the line "Who the hell made you the boss?" in "Parting the Sensory," for example).

Underneath, the sound is more or less a similar blueprint if only a touch more orchestral at times where horns and strings provide the solid pads for the familiar guitar tones and broken beats.

Even without the presence of a life changing single, the above-mentioned tracks carry serious weight on an album that's very good but most likely will be overlooked in the enormous shadow the band created for themselves.

Verdict: Don't write these guys off just yet.

'INTRODUCING JOSS STONE'

Joss Stone

I'm not sure what I expected with Joss Stone's third release.

I know that I hoped for a growing up party from the 19-year-old Brit, which was probably my first mistake. Three albums by the age of 19 is commendable, but innovation has been slow for Stone.

I hoped America would open her to Norah Jones and Diana Krall as examples of maturity, but a coming of age seems to be missing.

The production on "Introducing" is strangely minimal and empty at times, as if the release date took engineers and producers by surprise and recording wrapped early. Minimal doesn't always equate to bad, but here, it doesn't help.

A soulful R&B album devoid of a soulful, R&B voice (and Stone does, at times, sound like Pink) might need layers to hide behind.

When this happens, some nice sounds are found, particularly on tracks like "Tell Me 'Bout it" and "Baby Baby Baby" where the grooves are strong and the sound is warm and friendly.

We, like Stone, were alive during the girl powered late '90's and early '00's. Most people are trying to forget, and Stone's sound is riding the fence of reminder.

Verdict: Third time not a charm.

'Good Humor'

Saint Etienne

I love iTunes' party shuffle because every so often, it reminds me of something I haven't heard in far too long - certainly applicable here with the 1998 album from these British dance rockers.

As far as female-fronted dance-pop groups go, we seem to have plenty of talent at the moment - Camera Obscura and The Bird & The Bee come quickly to mind. Fans of either of those two groups owe it to themselves to check out Saint Etienne.

This particular collection and some of the even earlier ones are very house-ish with the main focus on the fascinating, pulsing beats, synthesizer pads and driving bass lines.

Look beyond the club remix feel (though it isn't necessary), and you find a charming and sexy voice from the now 40-year-old Sarah Cracknell.

This album is equal parts sheer fun and serious talent, and both deserve some remembrance.

- Alec Wooden

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