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

This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About is the first full-length album by indie rock band Modest Mouse. The album was released on Up Records on April 16, 1996. It was released in both compact disc and vinyl formats. The vinyl release contains two extra tracks, "Edit the Sad Parts" and "A Manic Depressive Named Laughing Boy". "Edit the Sad Parts" was later included on Interstate 8 and the Up Records compilation, US. "A Manic Depressive Named Laughing Boy" is available only on the vinyl editions released by Up in 1996 and Glacial Pace in 2014. Many of the tracks are about traveling by automobile, and the loneliness and isolation associated with rural life. Sad Sappy Sucker was supposed to be released before This Is A Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About; however, it was delayed and shelved.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Isaac Brock, all music composed by Modest Mouse.

No. Title Length
1. "Dramamine"   5:42
2. "Breakthrough"   4:06
3. "Custom Concern"   4:28
4. "Might"   1:31
5. "Lounge"   6:33
6. "Beach Side Property"   6:59
7. "She Ionizes & Atomizes"   4:21
8. "Head South"   4:22
9. "Dog Paddle"   2:02
10. "Novocain Stain"   3:42
11. "Tundra/Desert"   5:24
12. "Ohio"   6:01
13. "Exit Does Not Exist"   4:57
14. "Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset"   5:50
15. "Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds"   6:04
16. "Space Travel Is Boring"   1:53

Vinyl edition

Side one
No. Title Length
1. "Dramamine"   5:42
2. "Breakthrough"   4:06
3. "Custom Concern"   4:28
4. "Might"   1:31
5. "Lounge"   6:33
Side two
No. Title Length
1. "Beach Side Property"   6:59
2. "She Ionizes & Atomizes"   4:21
3. "Head South"   4:22
4. "Dog Paddle"   2:02
5. "Novocain Stain"   3:42
Side three
No. Title Length
1. "Tundra/Desert"   5:24
2. "Ohio"   6:01
3. "Exit Does Not Exist"   4:57
4. "Talking Shit About A Pretty Sunset"   5:50
Side four
No. Title Length
1. "Make Everyone Happy/Mechanical Birds"   6:04
2. "Space Travel Is Boring"   1:53
3. "Edit the Sad Parts"   7:04
4. "A Manic Depressive Named Laughing Boy"   5:03

Band members

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", "She Ionizes & Atomizes", and "Head South"
  • Calvin Johnson – extra vocals on "Head South"

Other

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