I would go so far as to say Modest Mouse are underrated. These songs are life changing. When I listen to Modest Mouse, time stops and I wind up daydreaming. These guys are a fantastic rock band that bends genres and makes indie rock accessible to the masses, yet still cool enough to make you feel elitist for knowing all the words.

Clearly I’ve been watching too much of The O.C. as I’m starting to like the music too much. I’ve also been too harsh in forming opinions, indeed I was previously rather derisive of anyone who claimed to like bands such as Modest Mouse, I mean there’s nothing accomplished about them (this opinion is typified by unexciting tracks like Black Cadillac). It may be true that the power of association is at play here,, but they have put out some funky riffs on this album (I’m lovin’ Float On) that I rather enjoy at the moment in place of my usual fare. Maybe it’s a phase.

For the most part, I’d probably end up using it for background music—I don’t find it to be the kind of album you really need to sit and just listen to all on its own, but it’s decent.

I bought it probably a year ago at least, but this was the first time I just sat here and listened to it all the way through.

is much much better. So is the Moon & Anartica. I wish we could rate these things on some kind of scale.