Search - Modest Mouse :: This Is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About

A Great Record

Ken Neld | Maine | 03/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Did you ever buy one of those albums that, after owning it for a few weeks, you realize you haven't even heard 3/4 of the songs yet? Reason being, at least in the case of albums like "This Is A Long Drive...", you've gotton so much enjoyment out of just the first few songs you haven't felt a need to listen to the rest of the material yet. These are The Great Records, and I can count the number that I've listened to on one hand. In all honesty, "Dramamine", "Breakthrough", and "Custom Concern" (tracks 1, 2, and 3) were on constant repeat in my car CD player for over a week before I even thought about listening to anything else, and even though I've moved on to the rest of the album since then, I think these three epitomize everything fascinating and wonderful about Modest Mouse. Moving from the trance-inducing "Dramamine" to the gleefully psychotic "Breakthrough" to the yearning country twang of "Custom Concern" is a disarmingly impressive flex of musical range, and these kids pull it off almost flawlessly.Given the quality of "This Is A Long Drive...", it's suprising that Modest Mouse didn't find critical success until the release of it's follow-up "The Lonesome Crowded West". It's possible that because of this, "This Is A Long Drive..." has been excluded from indie-rock fans' "must buy" lists. Well put it on there mister, because you must buy this album."

A Beautiful Roaming, Isolated, and Neurotic Sound

M. Tenes | Walnut Creek, CA United States | 05/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Modest Mouse changed my life. Well, that may be a bit of a hyperbole, but I am truly grateful to have been introduced to this band. I have never been a fan of avant-garde/indie rock; my music taste has typically been one of hip-hop, electronic, trip-hop, classic rock, jazz, and classical. This band was introduced to me by a friend, and initially I couldn't stand them (Isaac Brock's whiny voice). However, a few songs would play on random mode in iTunes, and I slowly grew accustomed to them. Modest Mouse rocks. This is probably one of the most appropriately titled albums I have encountered in a while. It really manages to give you the feeling that you're out on an open road without anything substantial to think about. And that's not a bad thing. It's a distant and wandering sound. Long Drive can sound incredibly neurotic, with their twangy and chaotic guitar rhythms along with Brock's unstable voice. But the genius of MM is that the neurotic sound all falls together and manages to make sense, beautiful sense. Long Drive isn't nearly as polished or accessible as The Moon and Antarctica or Good News for People Who Love Bad News, but in no way does that discount the greatness of Long Drive. I recommend this album without any real reservations. But as one should do with any music, listen to this album without projecting any preconceived notions about what good music should sound like."

Best Modest Mouse album

Jeff Smith | New York, New York | 01/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is what I have to say: This is my favorite Modest Mouse album. This album captures to total perfection what it feels like to be sad and cold but at the same time filled with a sweet appreciation for your own existence. There is such a fantastic reality to be found here. This will always be at the top for me. There is a good section of my life in which this is the definitive soundtrack. The music can be so bare but masterfull it makes you want to scream. Like living in a sparse cold room that you still find beautiful. If you want good music then, here, take this."