I adore Modest Mouse, but this show was not great
by aname on 2009-08-22Sound Academy - TorontoRating: 3 out of 5Can I say first that Modest Mouse is hands down my favorite band, I've been into them for years, and I've seen them 4 times including this show. I was disappointed.
Now, to be fair, none of the shows I've seen have blown me away, the guys in the band don't seem to be all that enthusiastic about playing live. I get that, because the album stuff is really layered and complex...weird sounds and things that don't necessarily translate into a live show BUT...at the very least, know the lyrics to the songs you choose to play! There were a few times when Issac seemed to blank out on lyrics, and mumbled something or sang lyrics from another part of the song. I've never seen that before, and it was kind of disillusioning. By the second half, it was better.
That aside, set list was pretty good, a lot off We Were Dead...and Good News...plus the new EP. A few from The Moon and Antarctica...It would have been nice to hear a few more from the really old albums...but that never happens and I only say it because you always want to hear the entire discography when your favorite band is up.
Oh...the lights were TERRIBLE. Just awful. blinding flashes after every song, and random colors and patterns that were way too bright and didn't fit the mood at all.
Sound Academy is a good place to see a show, sound was good, great sight lines, bars everywhere, lots of parking.
All in all, I left feeling pretty disappointed, but it was a decent show and I'm really picky so...maybe not the best judge.
I'll see them next time they come around.