The Golden Casket
Modest Mouse · 2021
50 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A kaleidoscopic blend of introspective lyrics and expansive soundscapes, reflecting existential musings amidst a vibrant musical backdrop.
Top tracks — play these first
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Fuck Your Acid Trip Start here — This opening track encapsulates the album's irreverent spirit with its punchy instrumentation and provocative lyrics that challenge perceptions of reality and escapism.
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We Are Between — A standout track that melds melodic hooks with contemplative lyrics about uncertainty and existence, embodying the album's central themes of navigating life's transitions.
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Never Fuck a Spider on the Fly — This track features a whimsical title paired with intricate storytelling, showcasing the band's unique ability to blend humor with poignant observations about life.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but has moments that feel disjointed.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks establish a mid-tempo groove with layered instrumentation, while the fourth track introduces a more upbeat rhythm.
- Several tracks feature abrupt shifts in dynamics, such as 'Never Fuck a Spider on the Fly,' which transitions from quiet verses to explosive choruses.
- The album closes with 'Back to the Middle,' which features a gradual deceleration in tempo and an extended instrumental outro that creates a reflective atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- whimsical melodies for daydreaming
- introspective lyrics for quiet times
- kaleidoscopic soundscapes to explore
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek straightforward hit singles
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's evolution, showcasing their vitality in later years.
- Themes
- escapism through chaos· whimsical storytelling
- Career context
- Released on June 25, 2021, The Golden Casket is Modest Mouse's seventh studio album, coming five years after their previous album, Strangers to Ourselves. This record marks a continued evolution in their sound as the band explores new sonic territories while still retaining their signature lyrical depth. It reflects a period of renewed creativity for the band following lineup changes and a lengthy hiatus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Built to Spill· The Shins· Death Cab for Cutie
Tracklist
- 1 Fuck Your Acid Trip Start here 3:11
- 2 We Are Between 3:52
- 3 We’re Lucky 2:44
- 4 Walking and Running 3:01
- 5 Wooden Soldiers 5:55
- 6 Transmitting Receiving 5:40
- 7 The Sun Hasn’t Left 4:23
- 8 Lace Your Shoes 5:25
- 9 Never Fuck a Spider on the Fly 4:56
- 10 Leave a Light On 4:18
- 11 Japanese Trees 3:05
- 12 Back to the Middle 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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