It seems that recently any time I receive an iTunes card or have any money in the bank that I’m rushing to see which Modest Mouse albums I dont have.
Thanks to my friends who have great taste in music I had become well versed in Modest Mouse but once I found myself alone I realized I had only the Moon and Antarctic and Good News for People who Love Bad News to keep me company. It is a cliche but music can be your best friend if you know what to look for.
As I stated earlier I have been trying to buy up as many Modest Mouse albums and my newest best friend is This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About.
Listening to most of the songs on a playlist as I had been doing in cars and frequented bed rooms did not do this cd justice as I now know, but now I appreciate it even more. While this cd definitly has a theme, call it isolation or the push and pull game of relationships or maybe even suburban woes, it is not necessary to listen to this cd all at once, unlike the Moon and Antarctic. This should be marked when listening to this cd for the first time if you are not familiar with their work. I’m not trying to come down on anyone but it might be a little much to take in at once. Just saying.
Anyways, me personally I love this cd and wish I would have bought it before The Lonesome Crowded West. Although I might have been a little more hesitant to dive into another manic Modest Mouse cd.
The sound will draw you in and whip you around like an out of control roller coaster. It will have you going in a million directions, only to find you punching your ticket for another ride once that song ends.
The instruments seem to be working more against each other then working is some sort of peaceful collaboration which becomes more obvious as you listen through the cd. The guitar sound will work defiantly against the drum and bass only to have the first drop off leaving the guitar to fend timidly for itself. Songs like Exit does not Exist have the band working together but that does not make the sound any more sane or safe as your ears might rattle if you listen to it with headphones.
For those who have just found this band and are trying to branch out, don’t be confused. These guys are great musicians and it takes just as much talent to sound the way they do then as it does to make a flowing sound where every note knows where it fits into the other.
One of my favorite songs on the album is definitly Dramamine, which to my surprise was the only well rated song on iTunes. The song is a great segueway into the rest of the album as it demonstrates the distinct layers of their music without going off the handle like so many of their songs. Don’t let it fool you however, this songs soothing effect will not make you any less dizzy listening to the rest of the album.
On the other end of Modest Mouse’s wide spectrum is another favorite of mine, Exit Does Not Exist. The fast paced symbols and Brock’s desperate screaming might make you think running through walls is possible. It isn’t, so please fight the urge. There are very few lyrics for this song, but the fast pace it sets makes the 4 minutes and 58 seconds seem alot shorter and will have you hitting the replay button.
This is an excellent cd and a necessary purchase for any Modest Mouse fan. I mean for a first record for the band it is phenominal and will make you appreciate the band that much more. It is different then any other cd they have made, with exception to Lonesome Crowded West, although both cds are good enough to stand on their own. Anyways if you want to learn your history buy the album and please enjoy in moderation.
