Customer Reviews
Modest Mouse put a smile on my face!! 
2007-08-28
I love it when I discover "GOOD" music and a good tune and this is what I found on this album the Jazzy "Horn Intro" which flows straight into "The World At Large" - what a wonderful song, aided by peoples interpretation through YouTube.
"Float On" is such a feel good song and is a song that I could never tire of!! Reminds me of "You Get What You Give" By The New Radicals in that you never get tired listening to the song.
"Bukowski" a nice stripped down song good use of the Bass, IMHO, this also applies to "Satin In A Coffin"
Of the tracks on this album "One Chance", "Float On" & "The World At Large" would be the stand out tracks for me.
Would I recommend this album - YES!
One hit song does not a sell-out album/band make 2007-06-20
Yes, "Float On" was a smash hit. Yes, it's pretty poppy. But what about "3rd Planet" and "Gravity Rides Everything" from "The Moon and Antarctica"? To a (possibly much) lesser extent, what about "Heart Cooks Brain" from "TLCW" or "Dramamine" from "This is a Long Drive"? You see, MM have generally had more "mainstream-palatable" songs on their album, and just because this one was a hit, does not mean they sold out.
OK, you've heard that rant before, but not in such an *ahem* eloquent fashion. Now onto the review.
As usual, the hit is by no means the best song on the album. Other songs like "The World At Large", "Ocean Breathes Salty", "Bury Me With It", "Bukowski", "The View", and (ESPECIALLY) "The Good Times are Killing Me" (which, by the way, if you did not know, was remixed and tampered with by one of the best bands of all time, the Flaming Lips) not only give "Float On" a run for its money, they take the money and use it to buy cigars.
I mean, the fact that supposedly hardcore fans are nitpicking this great album because it has freakin' "Float On" on it more points out their own stupidity and narrow-mindedness than it does the band being sell outs.
So, in conclusion, if you want to keep your rather dubious "indie cred", do not buy this album. If you enjoy Modest Mouse as much as anyone should, however, than do.
"You wasted life, why wouldn't you waste death?" 
2007-04-19
I am becoming more and more of a fan of this kind of off-beat, different music. I guess I can't help myself. I liked the single "Float On" when I heard it a few years ago, but again, I didn't pursue the album until later. Good News is interesting because of its contrasting moods. The plucky guitars and catchy harmonies conflict with the cynical lyrics that attack religion and certain kinds of people. The vocals range from pleasant sounds in the background to aggressive, near shouting tirades. The singer isn't all that great at singing, but he's great at using his voice to convey any mood he wants.
"The World At Large" starts off the album about as happy as it gets, with flutes and meaningless vocals in the background. "Bury Me With It" is about as angry as the band gets musically, though not lyrically. That would be "Bukowski", which is completely pleasant musically. "The View" sounds like kind of like dance music. "Satin In a Coffin" uses prominent drums and older sounding instruments to create a very interesting sound. "The Good Times Are Killing Me" finishes off the album while perfectly illustrating the conflict of sound and message, and it's produced by The Flaming Lips, which is cool. Modest Mouse is a unique band, and a good one at that.
I can't believe I heard this on the radio. 2007-03-27
The first time "Float On" came across the radio I almost $#!? my pants. I fell in love with Modest Mouse after I heard "Dramamine". Not immediately, but after listening to the "Long Drive" record repeatedly, the band grew on me. And grew. And grew. Now 8 or 9 CD's later they're still growing on me. I'm glad they've found radio success and hope they are able to keep producing new music.
My highlights for this record include Bukowski, Black Cadillacs, and Satin In A Coffin. If you truly love the band and aren't just in it for the image, you'll love this record. The whole album is great. Yes, even Float On.
Even if you're an old school MM fan, listen to it with an open mind 2007-03-12
This album is the worst Modest Mouse album, in my opinion, but it's still really great. That's the beauty of Modest Mouse.
What I love about Isaac Brock is that his music reveals a lot about who he is and what life has taught him. Good News for People Who Love Bad News is no exception.
The only track I don't like on this album is "Satin in a Coffin". After hearing a live recording, which I love, I can't stand to listen to the one on gnfpwlbn. It lacks passion and intensity.
Went up a notch 2008-07-02
This is Modest Mouse on a whole new level and some of their fans don't like it but I think they're really rockin'. Previous efforts were stuck in that hillbilly indie plunkin' rhythm thing that's so popular with those who want music they deem "authentic" but hey even The Clash learned to play their instruments and rose to a higher level and I think that may be what's happened here. The musical energy seems more vital to me although I admit to loving the gentle "Blame it on the Tetons" as much as that pop dance hit "Float On" that so many reviewers tend to dismiss perhaps because it's just so damn good and the supposed fans preference is still for music that is what I think of as awkward. I'm amused that so many "fans" dismiss what I consider remarkable lyrics as inferior. I think Brock is one of the most outstanding songwriters we have at this time and everyone concerned is performing on a higher level than they did in the past ten years. This cd rocks and the follow up cd We were Dead rocks even more.
Good News For Any People 2008-04-03
Top to bottom, 'Good News for People Who Love Bad News' is an exceptional album. The songs are original, sometimes catchy, and always interesting.
However, it is an album with a learning curve, if you're not quite used to music that embraces a certain amount of dissonance. Chances are, though, if you like later Pixies albums, you'll dig 'Good News' (though I'm not necessarily comparing the two bands too closely).
The high spots can probably be tiered. There are extremely good fast/aggressive tunes, like 'Bury Me With It', 'Black Cadillacs' and 'Dance Hall' - which are very Pixies-esqe (sorry) - and more mellow, philosophical songs, like 'Blame it on the Tetons', 'One Chance', and 'The Good Times are Killing Me'. All of them are good, even the singles, which, if you can get past how popular they became at one point, you can probably get back into.
I highly recommend this whole album. It's excellent.
Great 2008-02-08
I love Modest Mouse!!! This was the album that got them into the mainstream market, and generally that means a sellout of sorts. It's a great album, that's why it's popular.
It was all worth it just to learn some slight of hand! 2007-12-21
I must confess this was my intro to Modest Mouse (thank you corporate radio!) , however I had only heard Float On. I took a chance and bought it and after a few listens (Those horns are really stupid); I fell in love with Modest Mouse or Timid Turtle, whoever. The great lyrics and twists in musical styles and tempoes, etc. Going back now having the other CDs this is their thing. If you want a concept album, or another "Tommy" or "Quadrophenia"; they are not your band. Each track might fit on another album and tie in with other songs the band has made but they fit together like adopted children. Different and yet each one great. The whole album is witty and sardonic to say the least. My absolute favorite is: The View (not the show), Float On, Satin in a Coffin, Bukowski, Blame it on the Tetons. If you like the Who, Shins, Soul Coughing, Pixies and Smiths I would recommend this band/album.
Aidin Vaziri is a dumbass 
2007-10-03
"It's hard to pinpoint the exact moment Modest Mouse started sounding like a real band."
were they a fake band before? if anything they were more real before they started sounding like everything else. there's something positive to be said about questioning the 'established rules.' working on your own terms for what you believe in, instead of following these 'established rules,' is what creativity--the central nervous system of music--is; it is how steps forward are made instead of circling the same path forever.
where would the human race be without the individual and our ability to think and act for ourselves? modest mouse's view on life is healthy, however those people like Aidin Vaziri who do not know how to live their own lives can go ahead and follow the flock of society.
