The fact that they have recently recruited former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr is evidence of the credibility enjoyed by alternative rockers Modest Mouse, who formed 13 years ago in Washington state.

Their recent album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank topped the US charts as well as garnering richly deserved critical acclaim for their well-crafted melodies and wildly creative use of instruments. Part of a major European tour, the first for which Marr has joined them, last night's packed Albert Hall performance was deeply impressive.

That said, the group ultimately fell slightly short of doing justice to their sophisticated compositions. It was a passionate performance but also a business-like one, with a minimum of chat from focused frontman Isaac Brock, and a great deal of swapping of instruments, including a banjo and an accordion, both used to great effect on the brilliantly sinister Satin In A Coffin.

Recent single Dashboard was a delight, its infectious, ska-tinged beat given a turbo boost by the presence of two drummers. The song also highlighted the deep musical chemistry that has developed between Brock and the group's newest member, with Brock's rough string technique providing a lovely counterpoint for the Marr's superbly fluid fretwork.

On Modest Mouse's recordings, Brock's voice has a manic, elastic quality that complements perfectly the sound of a group known for darting off at thrillingly unpredictable tangents. Live, although undoubtedly energetic, his voice was the one element that let them down. At times, Brock seemed to be delivering a caricature of his recorded vocals, mangling what should have been expressive musical phrases with fits of frenzied, out-of-control screaming that suggested a case of Tourette's or even a touch of demonic possession.

Despite this flaw, Modest Mouse were rightly given the crowd's noisy approval in recognition of a show characterised by vigour, originality and accomplished musicianship.