Brace yourselves because it's time to debunk a music industry myth that has ruled — no, plagued — the minds of music savants for years.

Are you ready? Here it goes.

Just because a band gains mainstream recognition does not mean its members are "sell outs" — truth be told, it's possible for a band to make it big based on raw talent. If you don't believe me, take a good look at indie rock favorite Modest Mouse.

Formed in 1993, Modest Mouse spent the better first half of their career paying their dues and earning credibility among the less-than-forgiving listeners of the then-underground indie rock community. Although Modest Mouse received moderate success in 2000 with their major label debut, The Moon and Antarctica, this collection of eccentric musicians finally earned widespread attention in 2004 with Good News for People Who Love Bad News — a dark amalgamation of explorative, emotional, trumpet-laden hits that stayed true to the musicians' carefully crafted sound.

Three years after their first commercially successful album, Modest Mouse sails further into uncharted waters with their rousing new release, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Even with a new band member and more up-tempo numbers, Modest Mouse maintains its characteristically edgy, subtly powerful vocals and instrumentation that has contributed to their underground and subsequent mainstream success.

Where Good News for People Who Love Bad News was gritty and somber, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank's instrumentation is up-tempo and — dare I say it — optimistic. This change can mostly be attributed to Modest Mouse's new band member, Johnny Marr, former guitarist and instrumental guru behind the '80s alternative, cult rock group the Smiths. Drawing from his past musical expertise, Marr contributes his intricate, swirling guitar work into the up-tempo lounge track "Florida," the soothing "Missed the Boat" and the mediocre filler "Fire It Up."

The Smiths veteran's guitar influences, however, are strongest on the standout track "Dashboard," the album's first single. As the pulsing guitar line sets the tone for this track, Modest Mouse's other influences take over with the addition of their characteristic brass section. The group soon piles so many layers of synth, violin and backup "oohs" on top of one another that "Dashboard" threatens to be no more than a gaudy, pop rock disaster. Fortunately, Modest Mouse crafts the song in such a way that this pseudo-dance track — a first for this introspective group — becomes a thoughtful, yet flashy piece of musical artistry.

Despite their different approach, Modest Mouse hasn't completely abandoned their old ways. Marr's contributions may have allowed for more optimistically delivered instrumentation, but vocalist Isaac Brock's ever-cynical lyricism shines through much of the up-tempo orchestration. "If the damned gave us a road map/ Then we'd know where to go," Brock sings on the powerful "Spitting Venom," a tune that ebbs and flows from folksy and nautical to ambient and anthemic. On the breakup tune "Little Motel," Brock sardonically insists in subdued vocals that it's "nice to be by yourself" above light percussion and Marr's intricate and hopeful stretching guitar riffs.

Yet, even with Marr's heavy musical presence on the album, Brock is still able to deliver those shrieks, yelps and warbles that have contributed to the band's notoriety. "March Into the Sea," the album's opener, features a classic Modest Mouse chorus of swinging guitars and heavy percussion, booming along with the frontman's maniacal shrieks. Stepping away from Marr's soaring guitars, "Fly Trapped In a Jar" makes a return to Modest Mouse's more somber instrumentation and itchy guitar styling.

Modest Mouse has been one of those bands that defies all the laws of the music industry. Even after garnering mainstream attention, this eccentric group still maintains the ability to harness their musical talents and craft them in a manner that evolves and stays true to the sound that brought them initial success. Their newest album is evidence of this ability.

With its new up-tempo instrumental approach, latent cynicism and Brock's ever present shrieks, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank makes it clear that Modest Mouse will achieve even more widespread success — without selling out.

Grade: 4 out of 5