Modest Mouse prove that bands can rely upon the quality of their music to be successful, transcending mainstream radio airplay and MTV. Although "The Moon & Antarctica" marks Modest Mouses major label debut, they have continued to do well with virtually no promotional work. While the album shows a clear evolution from the minimalistic, raw we-recorded-this-on-our-four-track-in-our-basement feeling to a more elegant, produced sound, the band still maintains and cultivates its originality. The album is loaded with 15 distinct tracks, each of which move the listener forward through Isaac Brocks sometimes terrifyingly moving emotional landscape.

The beauty of the album lies in Modest Mouses ability to weave together dark, crafty guitar work, into simple, yet intricately layered 8 minute operas. Each song takes on its own character, from Paper Thin Walls reminiscent of the hook-oriented older albums, to the funky bass-line prevailing throughout one of the albums standouts, Tiny Cities Made Of Ashes. In the latter, Brock explores the themes of the oppressive urban lifestyle and the bands newfound success. Juxtaposing absurd lyrics such as So were drinkin drinkin drinkin drinkin coca-coca-cola/ I can feel it rollin right on down/oh right on down my throat, with the equally bizarre but insightful, Were gonna get dressed up in plastic/ Gonna shake hands with the masses. Tiny Cities moves smoothly into the next track, A Different City, in which he continues to explore the themes of urban alienation. I wanna remember to remember to forget you forgot me/Im gonna look out the window of my color TV. As rich as the album is in complexity, The Moon & Antarcticas greatest achievement certainly lies in its lyrical content.