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
share