Modest Mouse

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Originally posted by earth intruder aka j. marshmallow:
  I can't believe I read "one hit wonder" and Modest Mouse in the same sentence. I think Julian's statement is proof that he's never heard of the band prior to their signing with Sony and prior to "Float On" hitting commercial radio.

How is my telling him that they have three good albums "before Float On" indicitive of me not having heard the band "before Float On"?
 
 Lonesome Crowded West would be in my top 10 albums of the 90s and I saw the band at Black Cat during the M+A tour.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Also, to quelch this "one-hit wonder" business, if I recall correctly Ocean Breathes Salty went to #1 on the Modern Rock Charts, so that's 2 hits right there. Dashboard, I'm sure, has charted fairly well, also.

[nkotb]

First of all, a song reaching #1 on the Modern Rock Charts means nothing more than Julian listened to "Ocean Breathes Salty" countless times while listening to HFS.  Can you name every song that's hit number one on the Country or R&B or Hip-Hop charts?  I doubt it.
 
 Secondly, according to Wikipedia:
 
 "Float On" - #1 Modern Rock Charts, #68 on U.S Hot 100
 "Ocean Breathes Salty" - #6 Modern Rock Charts
 "Dashboard" - #5 Modern Rock Charts, #61 on U.S. Hot 100
 
 Seemingly, you're right; looks like "Dashboard" is a slightly larger hit than "Float On."  Still, I guarantee you that, in a poll of 10 non-music geeks, they couldn't name a song other than "Float On," if that.  And I'm not talking about people that are out of touch, either.  
 
 

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
  Also, to quelch this "one-hit wonder" business, if I recall correctly Ocean Breathes Salty went to #1 on the Modern Rock Charts, so that's 2 hits right there. Dashboard, I'm sure, has charted fairly well, also.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Originally posted by nkotb:
  First of all, a song reaching #1 on the Modern Rock Charts means nothing more than Julian listened to "Ocean Breathes Salty" countless times while listening to HFS.

I don't live within 200 miles of HFS' range. The character assasinations toward myself in this thread are ridiculous.

[beetsnotbeats]

A good example of a one-hit wonder is The Floaters. They came out of nowhere, had a hit and disappeared.
 
 And their song was... (hint: it's all over this thread)

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
  We taped both the Dinosaur Jr and Modest Mouse Letterman performances. My wife thought Dino kicked Modest Mouse's ass.
 

Your wife is correct, btw.

[nkotb]

Oh, don't get so worked up; it was just a joke.  It's a little too easy to target sometimes, and even though I generally try to steer clear of it, I couldn't help poking fun this once.  
 
 At any rate, I still think it's more of a matter of indie rock fans balking at the thought of one of their sacred cows being taken down a notch.  The fact of the matter is, I really like Modest Mouse, and I think it's unfortunate that more people don't listen to them.  That doesn't change the fact that they've only had one hit that the general public would recognize.
 
 This is the thing that humors me the most: as a whole, we're so quick to point out how little Grammy's or other accolades mean in the grand scheme of things, especially when our heroes aren't rewarded.  But try to point out something equally meaningless (but nevertheless true), and it's fought tooth & nail.
 
 

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
 I don't live within 200 miles of HFS' range. The character assasinations toward myself in this thread are ridiculous.

[HoyaSaxa03]

Originally posted by nkotb:
  But try to point out something equally meaningless (but nevertheless true), and it's fought tooth & nail.

it's simply not true, your definition of "one hit wonder" is hopelessly warped

[nkotb]

From Wikipedia (the first line from the very same article you quoted before):
 One Hit Wonder - In the music industry, a one-hit wonder is an artist who is generally known  for only one hit single.
 
 Generally known...yes, it's a vague definition in that it depends on people's perceptions rather than a quantifying number or figure.  But as it stands right now, you're crazy to think that a Best of the 00's compilation would feature any song other than "Float On."  The same can't be said of Hendrix, or Joplin, or Pop, or Reed, or....
 
 

Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:
   

Originally posted by nkotb:
  But try to point out something equally meaningless (but nevertheless true), and it's fought tooth & nail.

it's simply not true, your definition of "one hit wonder" is hopelessly warped [/b]

[sonickteam2]

so are they or arent they a one-hit wonder??

[godsshoeshine]

sounds like nkotb is arguing they did not have any hits?
 
 and can we not use wiki as a source. jesus

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  I was flicking through the channels the other night and caught them on Letterman. Pretty eff'n good I must say. Was that typical of their stuff or just a one-hit wonder for want of a better term.

Mankie, from what I know of your taste in music, if you buy any Modest Mouse, stay strictly with the latest work with Johnny Marr. Believe me, you won't like the earlier works at all.
 
 To be honest, the earlier material isn't my cup of tea either and I hate to admit it but I think it's better on many levels than the new one. Well, from what I've heard. Seems all of the experimentation and what made them interesting has been completely polished out in favor of those commercial formulas that 'work'. In other words, 'sell'.
 
 Other than a few short guitar moments, I can't help but think that Marr just lent his name to the project for a sure paycheck for himself. Can't knock him for that since he too has bills to pay. Shame though since he's holding back so much. Maybe they'll let him cut loose live. Couldn't say but would be nice.
 
 If you end up not liking it, just look at it as filling out your Marr collection.

[Reod Dai]

Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
 
 Lonesome Crowded West would be in my top 10 albums of the 90s and I saw the band at Black Cat during the M+A tour.

Good call.  Lonesome Crowded West is my favorite Modest Mouse album.
 
 The new one is pretty damn good, though.
 
 And honestly, does it really matter whether Modest Mouse qualifies as a "one-hit wonder" or not?  It's just a stupid phrase that's ultimately meaningless.  This is like that argument I had a while back about whether Belle and Sebastian are "popular" or not.  I even used some of the same reasoning (like how the average, non-music geek has no idea who they are).
 
 When I think of a one-hit wonder, I think of a crappy band who somehow managed to produce one popular song, whether that song was actually good or not.  I know that that definition is in no way technically correct, but I don't care.  The way I see it, good bands who made a lot of great music and happened to have a single hit along the way don't really count.  I absolutely love The Violent Femmes, but I definitely don't think of them as a one-hit wonder, even though "Blister in the Sun" is their only real hit.

[PigIron]

Great band.  And, I'll be as uncool as ever by saying they've gotten better as they've gone along.  And who gives a shit if they are a one-hit wonder or not?  Not a bad thing a all.  Is it worth more indie-cred points if you have NO hits?  I'm pretty sure than once you have a few hits, you lose ALL credibility around here.  And what the hell is a hit anyway these days?

[root]

the new album kicks major ass!