Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks
Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks, an eight-song EP from Modest Mouse, is a mellow affair. The release combines old tracks fromNight on the Sun(an out-of-print vinyl-only EP), remixes, and outtakes from theThe Moon and Antarcticasessions along with a couple new songs. "Willful Suspension of Disbelief" is a sedated intro that didn't make it ontoMoon, but it sets the perfect tranquil mood to introduce this disc. Although the new track "You're the Good Things" builds intensity with quickening drumbeats and front man Isaac Brock's tension-filled vocals, most of the songs on this album float in a dreamier state. "The Air"--producer Brian Deck's remix of severalMoontracks collaged together--is a woozy instrumental jam that enters experimental, electronic territory. Brock gets sensitive on "So Much Beauty in Dirt," exclaiming that there's "so much beauty it could make you cry" over stripped-down guitars and subtle psychedelic effects. While Brock's distinct vocal and guitar style makes this most definitely a Modest Mouse product,Everywhereis a relaxed evolution for Modest Mouse, a drift down the indie-rock back roads, an Americana-meets-post-rock revisioning of their old sound.--Jennifer Maerz