And just like that, the summer season of music is back! In Eugene, OR, Kesey Enterprises and Double Tee Concerts have once again begun their “Concerts in the Park” series, kicking off with Northwest indie rock figureheads, Modest Mouse, as the first installment on May 19th. Modest Mouse brought the hype of their new album The Golden Casket to the cozy, tree-lined outdoor venue known as Cuthbert Amphitheater.
Lead singer/songwriter Isaac Brock, and drummer Jeremiah Green are the two founding members of Modest Mouse still touring today. A mixture of older and younger musicians support them with a loaded arsenal of instrumentation, featuring Brock front and center next to Green and his kit on stage.
Isaac certainly is a charmingly raucous fellow. Performing the soundtracks of his soul, he’s honed the art of spasming wildly wielding a guitar. It’s a haphazard, but hearty presence that catches the eye while his sardonic songwriting rips into the psyche, leaving a hole dripping with wit. The brooding frontman’s twisted and prophetic lyricism relates to the world by mocking the human experience. These oxymoronic, inverted words dealing with the all-too-familiar subjects of heartbreak, disappointment and existentialism could reach anyone with a pulse. Brock’s creative cynicism is also balanced with generous helpings of hope, as though consciousness of a silver lining endures. He persistently finds ways to make passionate, intricate and loud fun from the confusion and trials of finite living.
With each new release, Modest Mouse’s songs tend to gain more expansive, tightened production quality, and a [very] slightly happier outlook. The latest record is no exception. The Golden Casket is less bitter to taste, and maybe more digestible as a result, possibly due to our maturing world’s shrinking capacity for disillusionment. However, it still resonates with the familiarity of seeking purpose. The derisive element continues to make a home in their sound, but perhaps Modest Mouse are developing a more upbeat resolve in the face of hardship and mortality, which is something we all should lean toward with age.
A heavy dose of the recent album’s material ruled the setlist on Thursday evening, with old favorites dating as far back as the debut LP also being featured between fresh tracks. Even the monster hit “Float On” had its moment in the grassy, dusk landscape. Prismatic color schemes in light design enhanced the bright, psychedelic electricity of the new songs as well as old.
Despite a sensational show, Eugene’s 10:00pm noise ordinance was sadly not considered properly, and, in the fashion of ultimate buzzkill, Modest Mouse had to start their encore early. “We had a bunch more shit we wanted to play for you, but there’s a hard 10:00pm curfew, so… vote differently. I don’t know…” said Brock sarcastically. He made it clear the band didn’t want to cut their merriment short any more than the audience. In response to the woe felt for the final song, he teased a few seconds of a chord progression, humoring the crowd and his beloved disposition for mischief. “I really can’t do this,” he said, though, and wished everyone a good, safe night before sauntering off with the rest of the members.
