"Mr. Brock’s ear for hooks just barely rescues the tracks from the seriously overstuffed production." Richardson noted that the back half of the album contained the biggest highlights, which he described as "quite good." Richardson was particularly fond of the album's stripped-down finale, "Back to the Middle," which he noted "hints at what should be [the band's] next change-up: Keep it simple. If the songs are strong and the performances are there, guitar, bass and drums will be more than enough. In an interview in 2022, celebrating 15 years of We Were Dead before The Ship Even Sank, Isaac Brock and Johnny Marr revealed that they were writing songs together again, the first of which is called "Rivers of Rivers". The writing took place in a "pen pal" kind of way, with Brock saying that there were more songs to be developed in 2022 together "once the world tilts back on its axis". The band is currently mixing a nine-song companion EP to The Golden Casket, with Marr confirmed to appear on one of the tracks. In the midst of a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lonesome Crowded West, drummer and founding member Jeremiah Green took an unannounced leave of absence. Days after his Stage IV oral cancer diagnosis was revealed to the public, Green passed away on December 31, 2022. Members Current members Main instruments listed only Isaac Brock – lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar (1993–present) Tom Peloso – upright bass, backing vocals, bass guitar, horns (2003–present); keyboards (2005–present); fiddle (2003–2005, 2021-present) Russell Higbee – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2012–present) Ben Massarella – percussion, effects (2014–present) Simon O'Connor – lead guitar, backing vocals (2021–present) Current touring musicians Damon Cox – drums, percussion (2022–present) Former members Jeremiah Green – drums, percussion (1993–2003, 2004–2022; died 2022) Eric Judy – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1993–1994, 1995–2012), rhythm guitar (2003–2012) John Wickhart – bass guitar (1994–1995) Dann Gallucci – lead guitar, organ, backing vocals (1994–1995, 1997–1998, 2002–2005) Benjamin Weikel – drums, percussion (2003–2004) Joe Plummer – percussion, drums (2004–2012) Jim Fairchild – lead guitar, backing vocals (2005–2006, 2009–2021) Johnny Marr – lead guitar (2006–2008) Lisa Molinaro – viola, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2011–2021) Davey Brozowski – percussion, drums (2012–2021) Former touring musicians Tyler Reilly – violin (1997–2000) Robin Peringer – lead guitar, keyboards, effects (2000–2002) Brandon Angle – bass guitar, acoustic guitar, pump organ