It’s probably time for a discussion on the greatest songwriters and lyricists of the 21st century, and in that discussion is Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse.
And no better way to showcase a particular strength than revisiting the Portland indie icons’ breakthrough 2004 album Good News For People Who Love Bad News, which after a Legacy Recordings expanded edition release earlier this year now gets the 20th anniversary tour treatment. Included in the run is a stop tonight (November 19) at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway, and The Black Heart Procession are on as direct support.
With era-defining tracks like “Float On,” “The World At Large,” and “Ocean Breathes Salty,” the record went certified double platinum here in the states, moving two million units, and helped elevate the band from underground heroes to mainstream success story. It set a tone for the two decades that followed.
“‘Float On’ wasn’t really written until the last couple of days of tracking,” Brock tells Rolling Stone. “Once it got done, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is fun.’ I mean, lyrically, I kind of felt like maybe it was a bit too goofy, and shit. Like, ‘This is fun, but is it silly?’.”
History will be the judge.
MODEST MOUSE + THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION :: MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne St. in Boston, MA :: 7 p.m., all ages, $35 to 69.50 :: Event info :: Advance tickets
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