triple j Pick of the Week – Modest Mouse

Modest Mouse
Lampshades On Fire

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Washington indie kings Modest Mouse, but over the weekend the four-piece surprised us all by unleashing details of their sixth album Strangers to Ourselves. Due out at the end of February, almost eightyears to the day since their last LP, the first single off of it is the rollicking Lampshades On Fire, a classic piece of OG Modest Mouse which could be from their iconic fourth album Good News For People Who Love Bad News. In saying that, having been so long in-between releases it sounds as fresh as ever – with Isaac Brock’s vocals, storytelling and guitar lines jumping out of the speakers with every beat.

Modest Mouse treated a small group of fans to the song before anyone else by sending out test pressings of a double A-side 7” of Lampshades On Fire along with a letter confirming the forthcoming release of Strangers To Ourselves, which we can all enjoy when it gets locally released on February 27.