The Lonesome Crowded West

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The Lonesome Crowded West
The Lonesome Crowded West cover
Studio album by Modest Mouse
Released November 18, 1997
Recorded Moon Music, Olympia, Washington, except tracks 1,6,7 at Avast Studios, Seattle, Washington
Genre Indie rock
Length 73:58
Label Up Records UP044
Producer(s) Calvin Johnson, Isaac Brock, Scott Swayze
Professional reviews
Modest Mouse chronology
The Fruit That Ate Itself
(1997)		 The Lonesome Crowded West
(1997)		 Night On the Sun
(1999)


The Lonesome Crowded West is the second full-length album recorded by indie rock band Modest Mouse. Many critics and fans hail it as the band's "breakthrough" album.

It focuses on themes of God and man's relationship to Him, life, and death. Its primary theme, however, seems to be a dissatisfaction with the stagnation of life, a desire to travel the world, and a desire to change one's life. This is especially apparent in "Doin' the Cockroach," "Cowboy Dan," and "Truckers Atlas."

"Doin' the Cockroach" expresses notice that life seems cyclical and that no matter how much you try to change, no matter how exciting you try to be, you will end up in a rut. "Cowboy Dan" notes the changes in life from rural communities to globalization and homologation. It also shows a thematic element of the American Dream, commenting that it is really just a desire to conquer. "Trucker's Atlas" compares life to driving while on methamphetamine, moving from place to place in an attempt to find elusive satisfaction.

The album was released on Up Records on November 18, 1997, on both compact disc and vinyl LP.

[edit] Track listing

  1. "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine" – 6:53
  2. "Heart Cooks Brain" – 4:02
  3. "Convenient Parking" – 4:08
  4. "Lounge (Closing Time)" – 7:03
  5. "Jesus Christ Was an Only Child" – 2:36
  6. "Doin' the Cockroach" – 4:18
  7. "Cowboy Dan" – 6:14
  8. "Trailer Trash" – 5:49
  9. "Out of Gas" – 2:31
  10. "Long Distance Drunk" – 3:42
  11. "Shit Luck" – 2:22
  12. "Truckers Atlas" – 10:57
  13. "Polar Opposites" – 3:29
  14. "Bankrupt on Selling" – 2:53
  15. "Styrofoam Boots/It's All Nice on Ice, Alright" – 6:53
  16. "Baby Blue Sedan" (vinyl LP only / also appears on "Building Nothing Out of Something")

[edit] Credits

  • K.O. – turntable scratching on "Heart Cooks Brain"
  • Dann Gallucci – guitar on "Trailer Trash" and "Bankrupt on Selling"
  • Scott Swayze – guitar on "Convenient Parking" and "Lounge (Closing Time)"
  • Tyler Reilly – violin on "Jesus Christ was an Only Child"
  • Nicole Johnson – vocals
  • Chris Setton – vocals
  • Brian Weber – bartender
  • Produced by Calvin Johnson with Isaac Brock and Scott Swayze
  • Engineered by Scott Swayze
  • Photography by Pat Graham and Isaac Brock
  • Design by Pat Castaldo
Modest Mouse
Isaac Brock • Eric Judy • Jeremiah Green • Johnny Marr
Dann Gallucci • Benjamin Weikel • Chris Majeras
Studio albums
This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About • The Lonesome Crowded West • The Moon & Antarctica • Good News for People Who Love Bad News • We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
EPs
Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? • Interstate 8 • The Fruit That Ate Itself • Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks
Compilations
Building Nothing Out of Something • Sad Sappy Sucker
Other albums
Night On the Sun • Baron von Bullshit Rides Again • The Moon & Antarctica (Reissue)
Singles
"Broke" • "A Life of Arctic Sounds" • "Birds vs. Worms" • "Other People's Lives" • "Never Ending Math Equation" • "Whenever You See Fit" • "Heart Cooks Brain" • "Float On" • "Ocean Breathes Salty" • "Dashboard"
Promos
"Polar Opposites" • "The Moon & Antartica" • "The World at Large" • "Dashboard" • "King Rat"
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