Compare/Contrast: Modest Mouse

Compare/Contrast: Modest Mouse Modest Mouse is an indie-style alternative rock band that had its origin in the 90’s, and has since been making music with big labeling companies. Most of their music has been hailed by fanatics and critics as sincere and thoughtful art that portrays the pessimistic nihilism seen in most of today’s society. The vocalist/lead guitarist for Modest Mouse, Isaac Brock, usually prefers to uphold his lyrics on the darker, rebellious side of the creative spectrum. There are many examples that one could use to elaborate underlying themes, but there are two of the popular indie-rock band’s works that ramify into multiple existential messages, “Bukowski” and “Float On”, with most of Modest Mouse’s themes reappearing in
The song takes on a more religious tone as it begins to question what people describe as “God”. It goes through the mindset of an individual who is troubled by the existence of a higher power and focuses on the idea that religious people think they hold a monopoly on the truth. The lyrics then attack God by giving it human traits, “If God controls the land and disease, and keeps a watchful eye on me, if it’s really so damn mighty, well then my problem is I can’t see who would want to be such a control freak”. This ideology then comes to a pessimistic conclusion that if no higher power exists, then nothing matters in the end. This theme then reappears in another song titled “Float On. Float On’s lyrics portray a man who goes throughout his entire day without letting his positive attitude spoil when bad things keep reoccurring. The title of this song is then revealed to point out the underlying lesson that you can have a nihilistic philosophy but be positive that nothing really
Charles Bukowski is a famous author who wrote poetry and autobiographical fiction. He is notorious for being a philosophical drunk. His backstory was similar to any dazed drifter who had hit rock bottom as societal standing goes. I think this song accurately illustrates the narrator’s struggles that accompany that lifestyle, pondering exactly why God is so controlling, diminishing the image of God by asking why it would want to be a "control freak," a very human trait. Charles summed up his values with the statement, "For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can’t readily accept the God formula, the big answers don’t remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us." Isaac then translated it with his own experiences through the song. Float On’s values can be summed up as being positive albeit the terrible mishaps life will throw at you. The whole song illuminates the idea that an optimistic attitude will keep you floating on. Compared to Bukowski, the reoccurring themes of a