Modest Mouse recently released a collection of new tracks and b-sides entitled
No One's First, And You're Next, coining yet another incredibly perfect name/phrase for a Modest Mouse album/EP. And the release is coupled with a rare abandoned video project, defrosted and released last week. And it involves some very surprising people.
The first six songs were first released as 7" singles individually, and then bundled together for
You're Next's release last week. The meat of this release is actually twofold: it includes the limited edition single "King Rat," originally offered as a limited 7" promo for purchasing
We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, and the mysterious limited edition "I Got It All (Most)," once found on the b-side of the "Float On" single in 2004, currently out of print (see how many times we said 'limited'? Get out your wallets, people!). Actually, one of the best parts is viewable for free on the band's
Myspace page. The video for "King Rat" is animated (so it's not a surprise appearance), and it doesn't seem to have any relation to the George Segal movie of the same name. It was, however, largely directed by Heath Ledger before his death, and was completed in his spirit. The gist of the video is a typical situational reversal, but it's still pretty chilling and gorey to watch. Whales are out on boats fishing (you can guess for what, exactly), and they perform some pretty typical functions once they catch their prey. We're never eating Goldfish again.
The inspiration behind the vid is awareness. The proceeds from the video are said to be going to the "Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an international non-profit, marine wildlife conservation organization committed to ending the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species." Ledger was an ardent opponent to illegal commercial whaling and felt his connection to the song could lend itself to raising awareness. The idea was fully formed in 2008 but stalled after Ledger's passing. It was finished by THE MASSES, a film and music company with which Ledger was a partner, with the encouragement of lead singer Issac Brock.
No One's First, And You're Next is out now, with the vinyl edition hitting shelves next Tuesday, August 18th. Don't let the title mislead you, the line may be a bit longer for this one.
-Joe Puglisi
Modest Mouse on Tour
08/17 - Forum Multipurpose Room - Halifax, NS
08/19 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
08/20 - Ale House - Kingston, ON
08/21 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
08/22 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
08/24 - Lifestyle Communities Pavilion - Columbus, OH
08/25 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
08/28 - Street Scene - San Diego, CA
08/29 - Grove of Anaheim - Anaheim, CA
08/30 - Outside Lands - San Francisco, CA
09/01 - In The Venue - Salt Lake City, UT
09/02 - Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, CO
09/03 - Alberta Bair Theater - Billings, MT
09/04 - Wilma Theater - Missoula, MT
09/05 - Knitting Factory Concert House - Spokane, WA
09/07 - Bumbershoot - Seattle, WA
09/09 - Pipeline Caf - Honolulu, HI
09/20 - NorthWest Music Festival - Portland, OR
09/21 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
09/22 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
09/23 - Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
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Video: Modest Mouse, "King Rat"
Modest Mouse on Myspace