Modest Mouse have just achieved something that even the legendary Smiths could not - the coveted number one spot in the American album charts.
Riding high on their amazing success, Modest Mouse played at Manchester's Ritz Ballroom, on Tuesday night, and Johnny Marr's home crowd, stuffed full of Smiths fans, found a brilliant new band to take to their hearts.
Johnny Marr is no fool, and he knows what’s what when it comes to credible popular music. If he’s involved in a creative venture, it is bound to be something pretty special. And special it was...groundbreaking even...
Johnny Marr is the unchallenged king of indie music, and tonight saw the return of the king to his adoring subjects. We were treated to a spectacular performance by some fabulous musicians, playing everything from double bass to accordion to maracas, alongside the usual rock combo instruments, and through all this, the divine sound of Johnny Marr and his enchanted guitar. What in the world more could any real music lover want?
Not only that, but in the intimate setting of the Ritz, Johnny Marr got the house lights turned up midway through the show, and picked out familiar faces in the crowd for a bit of friendly banter, as he did what he does best, reaching out to connect with the audience. For all his legendary, iconic status, Johnny Marr is still as much a man of the people as he ever was, and the audience loved him for it.
And the audience loved Modest Mouse too. With superb multi-instrumental musicianship, abundant energy, and ravishing songs - Modest Mouse were a mighty mouse that roared through the Ritz like a delinquent lion.