Modest Mouse

The most bizarre voice in rock these days belongs to Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock. His Tom Waits-esque yowl guides an array of drunken characters through the churning guitar swirl that has been the band’s bread and butter since its earliest recordings with Calvin Johnson. Now proud members of the platinum album club thanks to 2004’s breakout single, “Float On,” Modest Mouse has set its bar even higher. Ex-Smiths axe man Johnny Marr joined the fold, but he doesn’t let his divine chops steal the show on the band’s excellent 2007 album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. The group hasn’t let its star member or Top 40 dominance go to its head, though; this time out, recent unexpected collaborators The Dirty Dozen Brass Band come along for the ride.