Modest Mouse - An Eraser and a Maze (Album Review)
Monday, 15 June 2026
Written by Chris Connor
Photo: Robin Laananen
Under the stewardship of Isaac Brock, Modest Mouse have been delighting the masses with their eclectic brand of alt-rock since 1993. ‘An Eraser and A Maze’ is an interesting entry in their catalogue, offering the sound of a band reckoning with its place in the modern music landscape. This is looser, more sprawling work than their recent output, with their decision to leave Epic and return to a more independent mode perhaps translating to their music.
It’s proof that, while they are survivors of a long-gone era, they have never abandoned their roots and eclecticism. Dogbed in Heaven/Give it a Skeleton is a perfect example of this with its mix of Tom Waits and folk a far cry from anything else on offer here. It is a delightful oddball.
Remember Yourself is a successful detour into Americana, almost recalling Kurt Vile, while I Can’t Talk Right Now is another unusual offering, more electronic-leaning, almost from the Brian Eno school and full of wry, reflective lyrics.
Picking Dragon’s Pockets is more typically Modest Mouse, at times harsh and difficult, and hard to pin down, but Life’s a Dream is a clear highlight despite heading in a less frenetic direction.
There is plenty of impressive musicianship on display, particularly the guitar chops displayed by Brock and Simon O’Connor as they trade licks perfectly. It’s Modest Mouse at their best, encapsulating what fans have come to love over the years.
It is refreshing to see a band continuing to take risks at this stage of their career and this is Modest Mouse to a tee. ‘An Eraser and a Maze’ is another strong record from musicians who show no signs of slowing down, continuing to be indie mavericks who do it their own way.
Modest Mouse Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri June 12 2026 - ASHEVILLE North Carolina - Orange Peel (USA)
Sat June 13 2026 - ASHEVILLE North Carolina - Orange Peel (USA)
Thu July 02 2026 - BELLINGHAM Washington - Mount Baker Theatre (USA)
Fri July 03 2026 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Orpheum Theatre - Vancouver (Canada)
Sun July 05 2026 - CALGARY Alberta - Wildhorse Saloon Calgary (Canada)
Fri July 10 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - 5th Avenue Theatre (USA)
Sat July 11 2026 - SEATTLE Washington - 5th Avenue Theatre (USA)
Tue August 04 2026 - OJAI California - Libbey Bowl (USA)
Wed August 05 2026 - DEL MAR California - Sound At Del Mar Fairgrounds (USA)
Sat August 08 2026 - JACKSONVILLE Oregon - Britt Pavilion (USA)
Sun August 09 2026 - PORTLAND Oregon - Pioneer Courthouse Square (USA)
Wed August 12 2026 - CHICAGO Illinois - Salt Shed Indoors - Chicago (USA)
Thu August 13 2026 - SAINT PAUL Minnesota - Palace Theatre - St. Paul (USA)
Fri August 14 2026 - MILWAUKEE Wisconsin - Riverside Theater - WI (USA)
Wed August 19 2026 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Fillmore - Philadelphia (USA)
Thu August 20 2026 - SOUTH DEERFIELD Massachusetts - Summer Stage at Tree House Brewing Company - Deerfield (USA)
Fri August 21 2026 - SHELBURNE Vermont - Ben & Jerry's Concerts on The Green At Shelburne Museum (USA)
Fri August 28 2026 - PALMER Alaska - Alaska State Fair (USA)
Wed September 16 2026 - CLEARWATER BEACH Florida - Baycare Sound at Coachman Park - Complex (USA)
Thu September 17 2026 - SAINT AUGUSTINE Florida - St Augustine Amphitheatre (USA)
Fri September 18 2026 - ORLANDO Florida - House of Blues Orlando (USA)
Tue September 22 2026 - FAYETTEVILLE Arkansas - Ozark Music Hall (USA)
Wed September 23 2026 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Grinders KC (USA)
Thu September 24 2026 - COLUMBIA Missouri - Rose Music Hall (USA)
Fri September 25 2026 - LA VISTA Nebraska - Mainstage at The Astro - Complex (USA)
Tue September 29 2026 - MADISON Wisconsin - Sylvee (USA)
Wed September 30 2026 - CLEVELAND Ohio - Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (USA)
Thu October 01 2026 - NEWPORT Kentucky - MegaCorp Pavilion (USA)
Fri October 02 2026 - GRAND RAPIDS Michigan - GLC Live at 20 Monroe (USA)
Sun October 04 2026 - OTTAWA Ontario - History Ottawa (Canada)
Mon October 05 2026 - TORONTO Ontario - Meridian Hall (Canada)
Wed October 07 2026 - BOSTON Massachusetts - Roadrunner Boston (USA)
Thu October 08 2026 - NEW YORK New York - Rooftop at Pier 17 (USA)
Fri October 09 2026 - BALTIMORE Maryland - Pier Six Pavilion (USA)
Sat October 10 2026 - PITTSBURGH Pennsylvania - Citizens Live at The Wylie (USA)
Mon October 12 2026 - MEMPHIS Tennessee - Satellite Music Hall (USA)
Tue October 13 2026 - NEW ORLEANS Louisiana - Fillmore New Orleans (USA)
Thu October 15 2026 - AUSTIN Texas - ACL Live At The Moody Theater (USA)
Fri October 16 2026 - IRVING Texas - Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (USA)
Sat October 17 2026 - SAN ANTONIO Texas - Boeing Center at Tech Port (USA)
Mon October 19 2026 - PHOENIX Arizona - Arizona Financial Theatre (USA)
Tue October 20 2026 - LOS ANGELES California - Hollywood Palladium (USA)
Thu October 22 2026 - AVILA BEACH California - Paradise Cove at Avila Beach Resort - Complex (USA)
Fri October 23 2026 - SACRAMENTO California - Channel 24 (USA)
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