Modest Mouse - Building Nothing Out Of Something (Album Review)

 

Modest Mouse - Building Nothing Out Of Something

(2000)

My copy: 2015 reissue by Glacial Pace.

In the ambition of their early career, Modest Mouse had accrued a small trove of B-sides and bonus tracks; enough to warrant release of this compilation in 2000. While bonus tracks are often hit or miss with general consumers, Building Nothing Out Of Something actually contains some of the most interesting work of their early career. 

“Never-Ending Math Equation” pitches down the middle tempo-wise with clever use of syncopation and existential lyrics. The production across the board is most reminiscent of The Lonesome Crowded West, giving their performances a nice balance between lo-fi grit and snappy indie-rock. “Interstate 8” is included from the EP of the same name, and impressively matches emotional waves of guitar with Isaac Brock’s embittered shouting. The first three tracks follow the groundwork laid by early emo/indie-rockers such as Lync and Built To Spill quite closely, with even the melancholy “Broke” resorting to a post-hardcore freak-out in the end. 

“Medication” is where the pacing drastically changes - dialing back to detached spoken word with ambient found-sounds that eventually break into an acoustic singalong. “Workin’ On Leavin’ The Livin’” borrows from Lynch’s “In Heaven” song (though they undoubtedly only did it because the Pixies covered it first) and feels like their only true brush with shoegazing music for its dense, droning repetition. They seemed inspired by The Meat Puppets in their spoof of country music in the almost too goofy “All Night Diner” though the energy is immediately turned somber in the tender ballad “Baby Blue Sedan.” 

“A Life Of Arctic Sounds” is a bit too straightforward and similar to the earliest tracks to feel important, but “Sleepwalking” tastefully recreates Santo & Johnny's no. 1 hit waltz with added vocals, also recruiting guest Nicole Johnson to craft an innocent slow dance. The restraint shown in the twinkling instrumental of “Grey Ice Water” fits Brock’s lyrical despondency well enough for the song to stand above some of the more boring inclusions on their full-lengths. It’s easy to tell that “Whenever I Breathe Out, You Breathe In (Positive Negative)” was conceived early for its simplicity, though there is a touch of charm in the delivery of such uncomplicated compositions. Finally, “Other People’s Lives” is their best use of repetition and is also a hugely underrated performance for Brock, feeling much closer in attitude and sound to an influence like The Fall than anything else they’ve done. 

Usually, this sort of compilation is best for established fans, but Building Nothing Out Of Something could easily stand as an ideal starting point for newcomers to Modest Mouse. It houses a rich variety of ideas, comprising a solid snapshot of the band’s early sound. The pacing can certainly feel odd at times, and some tracks carry much more weight than others, but this is truly a treasured collection for fans of their first two full-lengths.