Sophomore album The Lonesome Crowded West followed in November 1997, and helped to earn the band a cult following; it has been cited by several publications as one of the best albums of the 1990s. After the album's release, Modest Mouse signed to major label Epic Records; The Moon & Antarctica, the band's major-label debut, was released in June 2000 to widespread acclaim from critics.
The release of The Lonesome Crowded West in November 1997 led to a dedicated fan base for Modest Mouse. This success paved the way for their major-label debut, The Moon & Antarctica, released in June 2000, which was met with widespread critical acclaim.