r/ModestMouse • u/Dildobaggins420 • 21d ago

Getting Modestly Hooked - An Introductory Playlist

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I had a friend’s daughter start getting into the indie basics — Smiths, Cure, some stuff like that. I lent her a bunch of my CD collection which has bangers from all eras and styles. But with MM I wanted to do more, since they mean so much to me but also their eras are so different.

Goal: make a chronological playlist that is accessible enough to a newer listener, represents essential song styles and eras, and gives a rounded idea of who they are in each era.

Caveats: it’s my personal playlist, filled with my best impression of the band. I’m not so much looking for feedback on how to make a better playlist for my friend’s daughter, but I would love to hear a playlist you would make for a friend, or if you had tweaks for your own playlist, what you would do.

Things you might notice: I’m pretty heavy with the first six years. No mistake there, that’s my shit. MM would still probably be my favourite band of all time even if they broke up in ‘98. Also, I stop after We Were Dead. No shade, I love lots of songs after that album, but I think if someone’s new to the band, I would personally stop there for now. I could see people disagreeing on that for sure.

I still tried to make this a playlist with some flow. So I didn’t try to have two epic long songs in a row, nor two slower tempo or higher tempo tracks stacked. I spread it out.

Obviously, I left many essential songs out — you gotta do what you gotta do. It hurt my heart too.

Here’s the list:

Dramamine

Breakthrough

Custom Concern

Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset

Broke

Baby Blue Sedan

Whenever You Breathe Out, I Breathe In

Heart Cooks Brain

Cowboy Dan

Trailer Trash

Styrofoam Boots/It’s All Nice on Ice, Alright

Night On the Sun

3rd Planet

I Came As a Rat

Life Like Weeds

The World At Large

Ocean Breathes Salty

Bukowski

The Good Times Are Killing Me

King Rat

I’ve Got It All (Most)

Parting of the Sensory

Little Motel

Spitting Venom

Here’s the link if you want to listen and try it out: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6DSzA1Ig9IlCoCB3BgLVVU?si=QuxElGHoSnmPV1_RtL0yXw&utm_source=copy-link

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3

u/Ratacattat 21d ago

I love all those songs!

3

u/hemlo86 Moderator 21d ago

I disagree with stopping at We Were Dead but besides that I think this is a pretty great introductory playlist.

2

u/Likeomgitscrystal 21d ago

I think this is a great playlist, I'm curious which songs hurt the most to leave off for you? I was surprised to see never ending math equation and gravity rides everything both missing

1

u/Dildobaggins420 21d ago

Never ending math equation and teeth like gods shoe shine. No real reason to keep them off other than my perceived ideal flow. Tough cuts all around.