Modest Mouse - Summer

I think this Modest Mouse picture is very suiting for this entry. For one it's an older photo of the band, as this song by them is one of their earlier ones. It's also warm, sunny and though their stances are rather stoic- fun. I get the feeling the band members were enjoying themselves on the day of this shoot, even though they're doing the prototypical 'we don't give a shit' band stance.

"Summer" comes from Modest Mouse's The Fruit that Ate Itself EP, released between their 'official' debut This is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About (1996) and fan favorite The Lonesome Crowded West (1997.) The EP was recorded in Calvin Johnson's Dub Narcotic studios, and was also produced by him. Beat Happening of course have another renowned summer song, one that would have easily been covered by now if I hadn't done an entry on it earlier in the year. Who knows- maybe I'll get a re-run.

Lyrically this song should sound familiar to everyone. It's just about being young, carefree with pleantly of life still ahead of you, and how summer is the optimum time to do whatever it is that makes you happiest. There's lots of classic summer images here - parties with friends, staying out late, frequent stops at convenience stores, Slip-n-Slide, swimming... rather than the warm weather this is really what summers are made of. Though we all deviate slightly from Brock's experience (I for one was born in a time of Crocodile Mile rather than Slip-N-Slide, and never found myself at a swimming hole) the theme is universal. We love Summer.

Modest Mouse - Summer

"1996 1997 1998- We're all waiting for the year 2000
Just the smell of the summer can make me fall in love
We go to the parties listen to the DJ's
Dance dance dance and go crazy

She's a party queen an she's in party heaven
Her clock is stuck on late
Got a first name basis at 7-11
Hold the slip slide taste the sweat it's salty
Irrigation ditch and a swimming hole
Nation-wide loved the movie

Just the smell of the summer can make me fall in love"

Modest Mouse - The Fruit that Ate Itself @ K Records