I started out thinking I would present a definitive list of the best Modest Mouse songs, but I quickly realized, I have too many favorites. With a huge discography spanning more than 150 songs over 13 albums and EPs, indie rock band Modest Mouse has plenty of excellent songs to choose from. Whether you are a new fan or Modest Mouse is an old love, here’s some of my favorite songs from their earlier years (2000 and before).
Dramamine This Is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Think About
The first song of their first studio album is a perfect introduction to the poetic simplicity of frontman Isaac Brock. The lonesome music perfectly sets up This Is a Long Drive…(and also happens to be the perfect music for any long drives you have may have to undertake)
Broke Building Nothing out of Something
Simple phrases rotating around the word “broke” set to an escalating melody is breathtaking in its defeated brevity. This is the perfect song to play loudly and lose yourself in on a bad day.
Custom Concern This Is a Long Drive For Someone With Nothing to Think About
This song is rife with truths of the human condition. The entire song is a wild ride of beauty, but the outro is specifically amazing, with gorgeous strings. This song spans the ennui of both teenage angst and midlife crisis, so however old or young you may be, you’ll enjoy.
Cowboy Dan The Lonesome Crowded West
Brock puts so much energy into his vocal in this song. Cowboy Dan manages to perfectly convey desperation. If you need a soundtrack for your pent up aggression and disappointment in modern society, this is it.
Life Like Weeds The Moon and Antarctica
Life Like Weeds is a gorgeous ode to the true loved ones in your heart, as well as touching on the subjects of love, life and death. Not only is it lovely, lyrically, but it is also a musical masterpiece, filled with well constructed metaphors.