Best/worst album?


I'm curious - what do you think is TMBGs best album, and which is their worst? Heck, why not just rank them from best to worst (dealing only with the full length studio albums)

My rankings:

1. Flood
2. John Henry
3. Lincoln
4. Factory Showroom
5. Apollo 18
6. Mink Car
7. The Spine (just came out a couple months ago)
8. They Might Be Giants

Although, for the record, I think their self-titled album does contain their best song, "She's an Angel."

What does everyone else think?

reply

One thing Gigantic did was make me pull out all my TMBG albums and have a listen. Here's what I decided...

The Album 'Spine' calls itself the 10th Album... so, based on that... I found I had the most trouble with the top three.

1. Apollo 18. I don't expect ANYONE to agree with me on this one. It's pure sentimentality here. This was the album that came out when I started listening to the band, and it has a lot of songs that caused my initial interest. 'Which Describes' and 'Fingertips' being the noteworthy ones. No, it's not one of their better albums. but, it has the nicest sample of the humour, the ballads and the out there stuff. Also, it has one of the few (perhaps ONLY?) Instrumental TMBG tracks -- 'Space Suit'.

2. They Might Be Giants - Yeah, probably their best album. Easily better than flood. The writing of lyrics is just incredible. The effectiveness of these tracks forcing themselves into your head is legendary. This establishing album holds up everything the band holds dear, and everything that you, as a fan, should have fallen in love with. 'Don't Lets Start' is a gorgeous anthem, but it's really just the start of the album's soul. Try 'Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes' or 'Rhythm Section Want Ad' if you like clever lyrics. 'Hideaway Folk Family' and 'Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head' are other nice tunes, but I prefer them more for their sound than their words.

3. John Henry - This album is golden. 20 tracks, and, really, only one or two songs that are forgettable. The only fault to this album, if there is any, is that a lot of the songs on it are less... 'madcap'. I found it a lot more mainstream than some of their other efforts. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, and in this album, I think it works, unlike other albums where they went the road more travelled (Factory Showroom).

4. Lincoln - Only after seeing Gigantic would I ever have given Lincoln such a high-spot. Before it would have ranked in around 8 or so... but now I gave it another listen and looked beyond 'Ana Ng' and 'They'll Need A Crane'. This is pre-band giants. Mr. Me and Cowtown, while seeming like jumbled mumbling turn out to be really well written songs.

5. Flood - I've always found Flood really overrated. It does get credit though for having probably one of the most memorable TMBG songs ever on it: Birdhouse in your Soul. While not my favourite song on the Album (that title goes to Dead), you have to admit that Birdhouse is a really, really enjoyable, well put together tune.

6. The Spine - I seem to be one of the few people in the world who liked this Album. There's only 2 or 3 songs on it I can't abide by, and some of the songs are very catchy. Stalk of Wheat will never leave your head. Maybe a little disappointing when you only rarely get a new TMBG album, but... come on, all the old Giant cleverness is inherent, and, unlike Mink Car, it was all previously unreleased on 'full albums' (long tall weekend) stuff.

7. Mink Car - Now, to be honest, I love Mink Car, and would place it higher, but, in my rating it's about a ratio of good songs to songs I could go without -- and while Mink Car has some gold... it also has some songs I'm quick on the 'next' button for.

8. Factory Showroom - 13 Tracks? Boo... Only a few of those tracks being beautiful? Double boo... Till My Head Falls Off, New York City and Pet Name are good... but there's few 'gotta haves' on this one.

9. Miscellaneous T - This may not be an album, but it was the best fit I could decide on (between this and Long, Tall Weekend). Miscellaneous was more of an album for the fans of the band who, at the time, had little to listen to. NOT a very good album to introduce people to TMBG on.

10. No! - The children's album is a wonderful idea, with some great tunes on it (Where do they Make Balloons, Fibber Island, Sleepwalkers), but, really, for every hit, to me, there was a miss.

Not the best album reviews, but I'm more of a film critic than an album reviewer... This being my favourite band, though, I saw it as something I needed to do.

The movie: Okay. Good, a few laughs, but... y'know... not fantastic. Actually, you might think you're seeing a 'lame mighty wind rip-off' if you don't know that the band exists.

That's what I've got.

"They're coming to get you, Barbara." - Johnny, Night Of The Living Dead

reply

Apollo 18 is my favourite of the 'early' albums, so I for one do agree with you on that!

reply

They Might Be Giants
Flood
No!
Severe Tire Damage
Apollo 18
Lincoln
Factory Showroom
The Spine
Mink Car
Long Tall Weekend
John Henry



"They're man made. Little damn things. Smaller than my fist. But they're new."

reply

I don't have all of them, but out of all of them I own:

Apollo 18-they have everything on this one. "Space Suit" is amazing, and some of the songs on there such as "Narrow Your Eyes" are forgotten songs that should be remembered.
They Might Be Giants-if only it had been longer. One of my favorites of theirs, "Alienation's for the Rich" is on here, but it's probably the real lack of such classic songs as their others have.
Flood-the first one I bought. I really like it, but it just isn't as good as the first two.
Severe Tire Damage-great compiliation, although I'm not a fan of live versions of songs. The PotA songs at the end are hilarious, though.
No!-it's ok, no more, no less.

I also own Dial-a-Song

Col. Mustard: How many husbands have you had?
Mrs. White: Mine or other women?

reply

1. John Henry
2. Flood
3. No!
4. The Spine
5. Apollo 18

Good stuff.

reply

I own every studio TMBG album, and have heard most every song of theirs. I also own a few extra albums (Including STD, which I count as a studio album, and some of the Spine hits the Road shows). Of the STUDIO albums, here's how I would put them.

1. John Henry: This is undoubtadly my favorite TMBG album. The reason it's so much more mainstream is, of course, because this was their first album after getting a band. Many people were disheartened by this, but i still love the music. Some favorite tracks are: Subliminal, Stomp Box, Spy, Destination Moon, Window.

2. Apollo 18: In an interview with the Johns, one of them mentioned that the album was intended to be listened to on shuffle, so that the fingertips pieces would be scattered (although, due to a bit of choppy editing, this wouldn't be very effective). Of course, Fingertips is the standout track and is now one of those non-media-hyped songs by TMBG that everybody loves. Other favorites on this album: The Statue Got Me High, The Guitar, Dinner Bell, Dig My Grave, Space Suit, Narrow Your Eyes, Hall of Heads.

3: Mink Car: Unfortunately, it was released the day before 9/11, demolishing much of the anticipated hype. They still got on Conan with this one, though, and performed the most re-remixed track to this day they've ever done (excluding Snail Shell...those Dust brothers need to give it a rest). Also includes the fun-but-still-horrible (as we've seen a lot), Older. Some Favorites: Wicked Little Critta, I've Got A Fang, Edith Head, Hopeless Bleak Despair, Mr. Xcitement (I know it's like rap, but you just have to tap your foot, you know?)

4. Then: The Earlier Years. : I picked this one because Pink Album and Licoln would both be coming in at 4 and 5, and it lets me talk about all of them (including the bonus 'albums', Giants Jubilee and Mightathon).

Pink Album: The first real album. Contains the most tracks that were made into music videos. Flansy really stands out in this one, because over time I think everyone's views have shifted into "Flansy does all the media stuff, Linnell writed the music, the lyrics, and performs most of it". I know Linnell is a musical genius, but I don't think Flans gets enough respect. Some favorites: Puppet Head, Rabid Child, Don't Let's Start, Rhythm Section Want Ad, She's An Ange.

Lincoln: The next album, contrarily, I think, really shows Linnel's musical talent. The starting track has propelled itself to, probably, the 2nd most loved TMBG song ever. The best thing I love about Lincoln is its arrangement. I never tire of listening to it because song styles completely change (although it's always wracked my brain as to why Snowball in Hell and Kiss Me, Son of God are next to eachother...and last). Favorites: Cowtown, Purple Toupee, Cage and Aquarium, Snowball in Hell, You'll Miss Me, They'll Need A Crane.

Giants Jubilee/Mightathon: To albums composed of mostly shorter-than average tracks from the early days of TMBG. Some of these are just so strange, you can tell it was definetely in the "well, we're not a real band yet, we're just experimenting" period. Favorites: The Biggest One, Weep Day, For Science, Nightgown of the Sullen Moon, Kitten Intro.

5: Flood. The most popular TMBG album, right at their peak with Elektra, contains Birdhouse, the biggest TMBG song ever (in which they REQUESTED to play with the Tonight Show Band), this album kind of hides most tracks except Birdhouse, Dead, and We Want A Rock. Have you ever heard of a stranger say "Oh yeah, I heard of They Might Be Giants. My favorite song is Hearing Aid". Favorite Tracks: Hearing Aid (heh), Someone Keeps..., We Want A Rock, Dead, Women and Men, Sapphire Bullets....

6. Factory Showroom: This would probably be coming in at number two if it weren't for the small amount of songs. And to think just 5 years ago, they had complains about the shortness of musical albums. Still, the songs are very strong and I like almost all of them. Also contains the hidden track, Token Back to Brooklyn. Big Favorites: Your Own Worst Enemy, Metal Detector, Spiralling Shape, James K. Polk.

7. They Got Lost: Oh man, I almost forgot about this one. I actually like it very much. A lot much. And now I'm hitting myself. Beep Beep Beep. It's the clue phone. It's for me. Anyways, contains 20 songs that were meant to be released on studio albums, but for one reason or another, weren't. Some WERE on Long Tall Weekend, though. Some of them were on studio albums, like Token Back to Brooklyn, or Oranges, but were harder to find than normal. Very nice span of the TMBG evolvement, that doesn't include "Their Greatest Hits" or even "Stuff you've heard before but will buy anyway". Favorites: Rat Patrol, Reprehensible, Rest Awhile, Empty Bottle Collector (Or Empty Bottle Blues), Theme to McSweeney's.

8. The Spine: Yes, coming in at 8th, is the Spine. The reason being, I like the tracks, but I don't think any of them were very standout. Some of them I enjoy a lot, but it's not too memorable. I can't wait for the Experimental Film video, though, just to see if they have as much energy as they have from their previous videos. Favorites: The World Before Later On, Thunderbird (mainly played backwards, heh. Her, burden of things walking out...weird, huh?), Stalk of Wheat, Spine, Museum of Idiots.

Thats it. I might have forgotten something (No, I left STD out on purpose). And I just realized I didn't put in Particle Man anywhere, but it's okay. You all know what it is. So, I'm really really tired, so feel free to tell me anything I forgot. I won't be here to read it.

One last thing, I don't think you really know TMBG until you see them live. It's such an interactive experience, especially since Flans can be reached after almost every show (lucky me...)
I'm off to take a shower. That's where you wash yourself.

reply

I don't own enough of their albums to make a full list yet but I wanted to comment that I'm surprised how low Lincoln is on everyone's list. It's one of my favorite albums of all time and perhaps my favorite of TMBG's. The weaving of rockin' tunes and lyrics and jazz is unique and, well, really, um, good. I recommend another listen to Lincoln!

"I've got a match - your embrace and my collapse."

reply

Lincoln is great.
Here's my list:

1. Mink Car
2. Flood (One of the classics)
3. Pink Album
4. Lincoln
5. Apollo 18 (I love the Fingertips.. and putting my CD player on shuffle.)
6. No! (It's a kids' album, but I love it.)
7. John Henry (A few winners.)
8. The Spine
9. Severe Tire Damage (Not a huge fan of the live versions..)
10. Long Tall Weekend (internet only release)
11. Factory Showroom (TMBG's creative slump.)

Anyone who likes TMBG should check out the Then compilation. It really is great.

D, world destruction
Over an overture
N, do I need
Apostrophe T, need this torture?

reply

I can only vote for the albums that I own, in order

1 Flood
2 Apollo 18
3 John Henry
4 Factory Showroom
5 They Might Be Giants
6 Severe Tire Damage
7 Misc. T
8 Long Tall Weekend

Honorable Mentions: Back to Skull and McSweeny's #6

Yes, I stand by my choice of Factory Showroom above their Debut.
The Back to Skull EP has one of their best songs on it, She Was a Hotel Detective (the song totally different from and not to be confused with the other earlier song), which after hearing makes you really appreciate How Can I Sing Like a Girl. All my mp3's from Long Tall Weekend are still on my old college computer. I never got the CD that was supposed to be mailed out.

Also, I think that Severe Tire Damage and TMBG:Live are nearly the same album, but one was released by BMG as per some contractual thing, I guess.

reply

[deleted]

1.John Henry (mainly the 2nd Half)
2.Flood
3.Lincoln
4.They Might Be Giants
5.Factory Showroom
6.Apollo 18
7.Mink Car
8.The Spine
9.Long Tall Weekend

reply

I'll only list the albums I own-
1. John Henry (if this was a single with only "End of the tour", it would still rate the highest for me)
2. Lincoln
3. The Spine
4. Flood
5. Mink Car
6. Factory Showroom

reply

Here's my list:
Lincoln
Miscellaneous T
Mink Car
John Henry
No!
Factory Showroom
The Spine
Apollo 18
Flood
They Might Be Giants
Here Come the ABCs

reply