Pitchfork.tv has, as promised, uploaded their full film looking back at Modest Mouse's 1997 album The Lonesome Crowded West.

The 45 minute film, spends a brief time detailing the bands earlier years before the release of their second album, and then spends the rest focusing on some core songs off the album. Along with stories from the band members themselves, there are also tales from Dann Gallucci, Calvin Johnson, Phil Ek and Pat Graham.

Most of the footage is taken from the original "Untitled" documentary, interspersed with a lot of Pat's photography.

It's a nice walk down memory lane, looking back at an album that is now 15 years old. Hearing tales about songs, and their live and recording history.

Watch the full film below.

Source: Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West: Entire Film | Pitchfork Classic | Pitchfork.tv

If anyone was paying attention, you will remember that five years ago today, Modest Mouse released their last album We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank.

Without trying to sound like an ungrateful fan stamping his feet and asking where that new album is (which seems to the common occurrence every time Modest Mouse makes a post on Facebook), we would like to point out that this is the longest gap so far between albums. If you don't take No One's First, And You're Next, as it's an EP and featured mostly old material.

With We Were Dead reaching this milestone, we thought we'd take this moment to recap and speculate on some of the recent activities of the band and its members, in the hopes of stirring up some discussion or perhaps someone filling us in on some news we're not aware of:

• The band as a whole: After performing a mammoth 119 known shows in 2007, the performances cut to about a half of that for 2008, 2009 and 2010, before performing only 15 shows last year. This year doesn't seem to be off to anything different, with the only dates having past and set for the future being festivals.
  
  One could be optimistic and see this as them spending more time in the studio working, or maybe they're just taking a break. I'm all for not rushing things. However with so little new material having been debuted live, I would think it's closer to the latter.
  
  While the band has been notoriously shy from giving interviews in the past few years, when they have strangely there has been mention of a new album being practically finished, only to have the same story repeated a year later. A lot has happened since, Johnny Marr did leave the band, and who knows how that may have affected any of the material that he may have contributed to.
  
  Even the sessions with Big Boi occurred almost one year ago, although it seems to have been made out that that was more of an experiment than anything.
  
  So far the only new material floating around are the songs that have been performed live. The two that have had the most oration being Lampshades On Fire and Poison The Well. Another potential song is the untitled track performed at The Warfield, unofficially titled "Mexico". Lastly there is the untitled track that made an appearance at the end of the Don't Move Here episode.
  
  
• Isaac Brock: Recently, apart from playing the few last minute surprise solo shows, the only other project Isaac potentially has on the go is the writing of the Queens Of Country soundtrack. Which was also announced about a year ago, and has since not been mentioned again. The film is finally due out at the end of this month, and while Isaac is still mentioned as the composer on IMDB, the lack of updates around this make me think he's no longer involved. We attempted to contact the producers of the film, but did not receive a reply. Hopefully with the release just around the corner, we should get some closure to this soon.
  
  
• Jeremiah Green: The once side project busy Jeremiah, has also been quiet of late. At least perhaps quiet to news sources. After multiple World Gang releases early last year, this work seems to have slowed down since releasing that live album last June.
  
  
• Eric Judy: Eric hasn't performed with the band live since 2011/07/02. Not that the band has performed that much since then. Rumours are rife that he has left the band. Personally I don't believe it, Eric does have young children, and could be taking a break from touring. We have tried to contact the band and certain members about his status, but haven't heard anything.
  
  
• Jim Fairchild: Jim will be returning to perform some dates with the reunited Grandaddy. A question to maybe ask is, depending on the outcome there, will he perhaps not return should they decide to take things further?
  
  
• Tom Peloso: To our knowledge, nothing news worthy has been happening with Tom lately (sorry Tom).
  
  
• Joe Plummer: A lot of updates lately have been revolving around Joe, now that he is with The Shins. They have a new album out as of today (coincidence?), and he will be touring full time with them. As with Jim, a question to ask, is does this mean Joe is perhaps done with his time in Modest Mouse, or when his work with The Shins calms down, will he be returning?
  
  
• Pat Graham: Lastly, Pat Graham is still awesome, and we miss him and his updates on the band.
  
  

Long time Modest Mouse photographer, Pat Graham, has just released a new book entitled Instrument.

The link between musician and instrument is emotional, physical-and sometime volatile.

INSTRUMENT is a photography book that represents an intensely personal exposure by some of the world's most important and dedicated musicians. Instrument features beautifully photographed iconic instruments with thoughts, stories, and captions about them from the owners/musicians.

The book comprises over 10 years worth of Pat's work with numerous artists such as Modest Mouse, The Smiths, Sonic Youth, The Flaming Lips, R.E.M., New Order, Wire, Fugazi, Built to Spill, Band of Horses, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and more. It also features a forward has been written by former Modest Mouse guitarist, Johnny Marr.

The iconic sleigh bells that can be heard The Beach Boys Good Vibrations and Phil Spector's wall of sound, The moog that created New Order's Blue Monday, The organ that gave the Special's hit Ghost town, The bass from The Pixies, The guitar played by Ian Curtis on Love Will Tear us Apart, Joy Division. Johnny Marr's Gibson that was played in the height of the Smiths. Etc Etc... All these and many more photographed by Pat Graham with captions from the musicians.

The book has just been released in the UK, but has unfortunately been pushed back in North America to late September / early October. It can be ordered through Amazon or Chronicle Books.

Source: Instrument

Longtime Modest Mouse photographer Pat Graham, is currently the featured artist of the day at Imagekind with his series: Photos From Last Night's Gig. Check it out for a nostalgic look at the 2009 tour, and see if you are able to spot yourself in the crowd.

Source: http://www.imagekind.com/MemberProfile.aspx?MID=66be8713-62b6-4710-ae5c-a0912d2e4894

Pat Graham will be spending some time this week blogging for Converse, sharing some insight into life on the road with Modest Mouse and the Cribs.

Pat also has a new book in the works called "Instrument," due out Spring 2011.

Source: http://play.converse.com/play/talk/?p=219

If you haven't managed to get your hands on a copy of Pat Graham's second Modest Mouse Photozine, there are still some available from RAEN Optics. Pat informs us that a limited amount of 300 might make it to the merch tables on the upcoming tour.

Source: http://www.raenoptics.com/

Pat Graham, the man responsible for exposing the world to photographs such as this one, has put together a second Modest Mouse photozine. It's currently selling from RAEN Optics for $10. The last photozine was limited to 1200 copies.

If you enjoy the work of Pat Graham, you might also find interesting the book he released in 2007 entitled Silent Pictures.

Source: http://www.raenoptics.com/

Pat Graham's Twitter says check out www.modestmouse.com in 4 hours... that's 17:15 Pacific, 20:15 Eastern, 0:15 Central European, 8:15 Japan Standard...

Source: http://twitter.com/pat_graham/statuses/1362393666

Pat Graham has announced that 200 copies of the photozine, "Modest Mouse through the eyes of Pat Graham," are now on sale at RAEN Optics for $10 + shipping. Sadly, they are only shipping to the U.S. The other 1000 copies will be available on the upcoming tour.

Source: http://www.raenoptics.com/

Pat Graham is in Portland getting ready to follow the band on their upcoming short tour. He will be posting his "live thoughts" on Twitter.

Source: http://twitter.com/pat_graham

Pat Graham has revealed that a limited edition photozine is being printed up and will be available from day one of the upcoming tour. The photozine is limited to 1200 copies.

Source: http://www.modestmouse.com/photoblog/2009/02/03/photographing-modest-mouse/#comment-6346