album · November 18, 1997

The Lonesome Crowded West

Modest Mouse

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Glacial Pace RecordingsSee this day

indie rockalternative

This 1997 double-album captures Modest Mouse in their early, raw form, wrestling with themes of isolation, westward expansion, and American decline. It stands as a landmark of lo-fi indie rock and a definitive statement of the band's early, vital energy.

• "The Lonesome Crowded West" was released on November 18, 1997, by Glacial Pace Recordings.
• The album was produced by Modest Mouse and Chris Walla, with additional production by Kevin Garcia.
• It is considered by many to be a foundational album in the indie rock canon, influencing countless bands in its wake.

Modest Mouse is an indie rock band from Issaquah, Washington, formed in 1992. They are known for their unconventional song structures and introspective lyrics. At the time of "The Lonesome Crowded West," the band was solidifying their distinctive sound and building a cult following.