Gatefold package
NO digital copy included
Audio Quality: 4/5
Song Quality: 4.5/5
Packaging: 3.5/5
Full disclosure: They Might Be Giants are probably my favorite current band. If I sound overqualified or overexcited writing this review, it's because I am. Okay? Now that you know just how much of a nerd I am, let's move on.
This, They Might Be Giants' self-proclaimed 12th album (They don't count all of their full-length releases as "albums"), is the first one to be released on vinyl since 1992's Apollo 18. As a band that jumped head-first into the digital music era
(they were the first major band ever to release an exclusively digital album), I can understand how they may have forgotten about just how great a vinyl release could be. In fact, I think it's fair to say that just about everyone had a period of time in the '90s when vinyl was far from your mind. I know, it's a sad thing to admit, but there's no need to be ashamed. So it took 16 years
and perhaps a gentle nudge from new producers The Dust Brothers, but we are finally fortunate enough to hear some new music from the Giants on wax. And it feels good. Your writer also advises you to pick up vinyl copies of their old records if you should stumble upon them (They Might Be Giants, Lincoln, Flood), as they sound exceptional.The "adult" TMBG record that preceded this one was called The Spine, and I think it was their most inconsistent and least satisfying release to date. Definitely not bad, but it had clear highlights and lowlights, and the lowlights sort of killed the complete album experience for me. When I first heard this, The Else, I was also a bit underwhelmed. It was okay, but it had almost nothing that immediately grabbed me. However, a relationship with an album is a lot like a romantic relationship. Some of them are completely based in face-value appeal and instant pleasure, and though they can be a lot of fun, those feelings tend to be fleeting. Then, of course, there are relationships that develop gradually over time, and the more you get to know the person, the more you find to love. Those relationships are the ones that last for years and years, and you couldn't forget them even if you tried. ARE YOU FOLLOWING THIS METAPHOR? There's musical love and musical lust. And though this album is NOT amazing enough to warrant my grandiose analogy, it is definitely a collection of songs that you can grow to love deeply... if you're willing to give yourself some time to get to know them first. "They're beautiful on the inside," you'll tell your friends. "Sure they are," they'll respond condescendingly.
The album opens up with "I'm Impressed," a dark and noisily trudging rocker with an oddly soft vocal delivery. This is followed up by lighter fare, "Take Out The Trash," which is a fuzz-bass driven tune (you won't even notice the mostly absent guitar) that is, dare I say, Smash Mouth-esque. Bold move, Mr. Flansburgh. "Upside Down Frown" is one of those impossibly catchy TMBG songs, played over a frantic drum and bass loop, clearly a Dust Brothers decision. Ok ok, I'll spare you an analysis of every single song. Let's just say that the fun and rocking highlights would be the faux-stadium anthem "The Cap'm," "The Shadow Government," "Withered Hope," and "The Mesopotamians." There are also some oddly dark tunes, such as "With The Dark," "Careful What You Pack," and the aforementioned "I'm Impressed," that may be tough to warm up to at first, but as I said, there's a lot to love once you get to know them. And then you've got the vocabulary lesson song "Contrecoup" and the gorgeously arranged "Bee of the Bird of the Moth," which are just great. I'm not wild about "Feign Amnesia," and I have my moments with "Climbing The Walls," but otherwise I have nothing but positive things to say about this batch of songs. Older fans of They should know that John and John have "matured" quite a bit, and the silliness evident on albums as recent as 2001's "Mink Car" is not likely to be found here. However, if those are the sort of tunes you're looking for, I'd recommend picking up the compact disc version of this album and listening to the bonus disc, Cast Your Pod To The Wind, which contains 23 songs that even the most old-school fan would find satisfyingly absurd.
This album was definitely NOT recorded analog, but it's a wonderful example of the fact that digital recordings are capable of sounding great with the proper attention. Sometimes I get so caught up in the whole digital vs. analog issue, I forget that just because an album is recorded digitally doesn't mean it sounds bad. Don't fall into this trap, you guys. The drums on these tracks are clear and punchy, the low end is warm and present, and the mix is nice and separated. It's also a very clean and quiet pressing, which I'm beginning to appreciate more and more. Overall sound highlights would probably be "Upside Down Frown," "Careful What You Pack," and "Bee of the Bird of the Moth," but it's definitely a great listening experience from start to finish. To me, it sounds superior to the CD, so for that reason I'd recommend this one to any fans of the band as a compliment to that version. However, for the reasons listed below, you're gonna probably need to pick up the CD at some point, like it or not.
This package is pretty nice. It's a gatefold set, which is a little unusual for a single LP, but it's got all of the lyrics printed inside as well as more of that creepy photography you've already seen on the front and back. Speaking of creepy, the album cover has those guys with suits and masks, and one of them is holding a briefcase. The phrase written on the suitcase is Spanish, and it translates to "They avail themselves." I don't know why, but I find that perfectly eerie and fitting for this material. So anyway, it's a nice and inexpensive set, however it's missing two key things. One you can guess... no digital version. The second is that when you buy the CD, you get a full-length bonus disc with 23 extra songs! That disc is not included here in LP or CD format, so vinyl fans are sort of obligated to buy both this and that if they want the full package. I just think that's kind of unfair. If you're a TMBG fan, the bonus disc is just as good if not better than the "actual album," so you should definitely make a point to get that first. Then come here and get the vinyl if you're really digging it. That's what I did, and I think it's worth it. Still, I don't think anyone should have to buy an album in multiple formats in order to get the full experience.
The next album from They is going to be another children's effort, Here Comes Science!, but after that, I've heard whispers of a new adult record that will feature John and John going back to their roots a bit and busting out some of the old 80's synthesizers and drum machines. By no means am I one of those "purist" fans who only likes the early stuff and thinks they sold out when they got a backing band in the mid-90's... but that notion is undeniably exciting for me. I'm looking forward to reporting back here with a new piece of TMBG wax, hopefully sooner than later.
Buy the LP at Amazon.com
Buy the LP at AuralExploits.com
Next: Andrew W.K. - Close Calls With Brick Walls
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