Initially intended to be Modest Mouse’s debut release instead of April 1996’s This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, Sad Sappy Sucker marks the band’s second compilation album. Tracks 1-15 are the original 1996 curated tracklist.
Sad Sappy Sucker was initially released in CD and LP format under K Records. The album was later reissued in 2014 on Isaac Brock’s Glacial Palace label.