ROCK
After years of modest success, this Issaquah, Wash., outfit finally made the big time with its latest album, thanks to the hit "Float On," a breezy piece of guitar-pop heaven. The bad news is that those looking for more of the accessible melodic punch of "Float On" won't find much else here. But the good news, for longtime fans of this quirky quartet, is that Modest Mouse hasn't abandoned its indie-rock roots. Displaying an arty edge that suggests a modern-day Talking Heads, the band keeps you guessing by throwing in horns, accordion, banjo, even ukulele. While this offbeat approach is sometimes off-putting, it's never mousey.
