This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About

Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: April 16, 1996 | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect?1994Interstate 81996studioThis Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think AboutMMLongDrive5075.jpgModest MouseApril 16, 1996October–November 1995Moon Studios (Olympia, Washington)Template:Flatlist74:03 (Standard)
86:10 (LP)UpSteve Woldx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About is the debut studio album by American rock band Modest Mouse. It was released on April 16, 1996, through Up Records.

Music and lyrics

This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About is an indie rock<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/> album that incorporates elements of punk rock,<ref name="auto1"/> grunge,<ref name="auto1"/> heavy metal,<ref name="auto1"/> twee pop,<ref name="auto1"/> surf rock,<ref name="auto1"/> jazz,<ref name="auto1"/> and chamber music.<ref name="auto1"/> Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork remarked that Modest Mouse show influence from Pixies and Jane's Addiction<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with certain elements on the album also drawing comparisons to Built to Spill<ref name="auto1" /> and Pink Floyd.<ref name="auto1"/>

Brandon Gentry of AllMusic explains that the album's tracks alternate between "slow, brooding numbers" and "thrashing guitar workouts." The album's instrumentation incorporates mandolin, slide guitar, and cello to augment the band's traditional indie rock configuration.<ref name=":0">Template:Citation</ref>

Lyrically, many of the album's tracks focus on traveling by automobile and the loneliness associated with rural life, which Gentry delineated as "emotional and geographic isolation."<ref name=":0" /> According to Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork, the album's lyrics "appear completely stream-of-consciousness."

Critical reception

Template:Music ratings The Albuquerque Tribune called the album "intricate, brainy pop sneaking back into old-time ballads, honky-tonk slide and folk pluck."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Robert Christgau remarked that Modest Mouse are "so insularly indie they're incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't been softened up by Wowee Zowee and the Meat Puppets".<ref name="auto2"/> Brandon Gentry of AllMusic wrote: "In general, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About is a fine album, and Modest Mouse distinguishes itself here with songs whose meanings are simultaneously universal and painfully personal."<ref name=":0" /> Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork wrote: "The only problem with this record is that it's impossible to get all the way through it because it's over 70 minutes long. And the vinyl version actually has more songs. There are few bands who can pull that off and honestly, Modest Mouse is not one of 'em. But I guess if they've got the studio time, a little extra music never hurt anybody."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Personnel

Modest Mouse

• Isaac Brock – guitar and vocals (drums on "Dog Paddle")
• Jeremiah Green – drums (bass on "Dog Paddle")
• Eric Judy – bass (guitar on "Dog Paddle")

Additional musicians

• Steve Wold – slide guitar, mandolin, guitar, backup vocals
• Brent Arnold – cello
• Nicole Johnson – vocals on "Custom Concern", "Ionizes & Atomizes", and "Head South"
• Calvin Johnson – extra vocals on "Head South"

Others

• Produced by Steve Wold
• Engineered by Scott Swayze & Steve Wold
• Photography by Isaac Brock

External links

• This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About lyrics at Interstate-8