I have never been a big fan of the band Modest Mouse, but some of its music has grown on me.

The group’s last album, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News," had a few good songs that I have grown to love.

I saw the video for its most recent single, "Dashboard," on MTV U one morning while getting ready for class.

The video was so funny and catchy that I looked it up online. It is off Modest Mouse’s new album, "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank," which was released a little more than a month ago.

My friend Nick is a very big Modest Mouse fan. His away messages on AOL Instant Messenger had said something to do with Modest Mouse for weeks, so I asked if he had gotten his hands on the group’s new album. Sure enough, Nick had it and was willing to let me borrow it to see if I liked it. Well there seems to be something about Modest Mouse that just pulls me in every time. I’m not sure if it’s the different kind of voice of the lead singer, Isaac Brock, or just the different folk rock indie music.

Modest Mouse is a band you either love or hate.

It doesn’t fall into the category of anything that is popular in today’s music scene. Modest Mouse isn’t punk, hardcore, country or anything mainstream. It is its own and that is what makes it Modest Mouse. I don’t believe that the group will ever be a sold-out band; I don’t think that members will allow themselves to become that.

So Nick let me borrow his new CD. I listened and realized that it was not a "feel good" album like the last one. A little bit of heartbreak and hard times must have gone on while creating "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank." There still are the upbeat tracks and sound, but the lyrics are what hit home.

If you listen to some of the older Modest Mouse stuff, you can see how much its sound hasn’t changed. It has stuck with what it is and hasn’t changed for anyone. Change is often good, but sometimes it’s not. It has worked for Modest Mouse.

Members haven’t sold out and they haven’t stolen the spotlight. I am really impressed with them. An addition to this album is that Johnny Marr from the 1980s post-punk band, The Smiths, has joined Modest Mouse as a guitarist. If you were a fan before, you’ll definitely notice a difference in music.

"We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank" is al-together a great album. It isn’t the greatest album ever made; the group hasn’t yet made a perfect masterpiece. There are some great tracks, such as the 8½-minute "Spitting Venom" and the sad "Little Motel." Those are two of my favorites on the album. Many of the songs are fairly good, but they also have their weaker pieces. I really don’t like the tracks "Florida" and "Steam Engenius." They’re just annoying and I seem to switch the track when they come on. Again, it is a very good album, although it isn’t on my all-time favorite list, it is on a list.

I would recommend this album for anyone who wants to listen to something different. Modest Mouse isn’t for just anyone. You have to want to listen to the talent and understand the meaning in the music and lyrics.

Modest Mouse is a very different band and it is a great band. Go out and pick up "We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank" if you are in for something different. It is a good album, if you are willing to really listen.

Sandi Fairbanks is a 2006 graduate of Unadilla Valley Central School. She is a freshman at the State University College at Plattsburgh.