The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box
Modest Mouse · 2015
10 min · 2 tracks · indie rock
Ethereal melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a soundscape that is both haunting and contemplative.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Ground Walks, With Time in a Box — This track encapsulates the album's theme of time and existence through its layered instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics, showcasing the band's unique approach to songwriting.
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The Best Room — With its catchy melodies and intricate arrangements, this track highlights the band's ability to blend introspection with accessibility, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The record showcases unique structures and melodies but lacks the depth of a full album.
What we noticed
- The title track features a gradual build-up, starting with a sparse arrangement that layers in instrumentation as it progresses.
- The second track employs a contrasting tempo, shifting to a more upbeat rhythm while maintaining the ethereal quality of the vocals.
- Both tracks utilize unconventional song structures, avoiding traditional verse-chorus patterns and instead focusing on thematic development.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's evolution while maintaining their innovative sound.
- Themes
- time's passage· introspective landscapes
- Career context
- In 2015, Modest Mouse released The Ground Walks, with Time in a Box as their first new material since 2015’s Strangers to Ourselves. This album marks a continued exploration of the band’s signature eclectic style while reflecting on their evolution since their mainstream breakthrough with Good News for People Who Love Bad News in 2004.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Built to Spill· The Shins· Death Cab for Cutie
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Ground Walks, With Time in a Box
A shift occurs where the narrative voice reflects on the passage of time and its elusive nature.
This moment uses metaphorical language to deepen the exploration of temporal themes, contrasting personal reflection with broader existential questions.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Ground Walks, With Time in a Box 6:12
- 2 The Best Room 4:25
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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