They Might Be Giants

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They Might Be Giants

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I remember the first time I was forced to listen to this album - a friend of a friend brought it over to my place one night and forced me to listen to it. After the disc ended I threw him out of my pad and told him that he had no idea what good music was supposed to sound like. He left so quickly in tears that he left the disc in my stereo. The next day while I was doing dishes, a tune popped into my head AND WOULN'T GO AWAY. I ransacked my apartment for the cd that this maddeningly oddball riff had come from, but I had no luck. Finally, after hours of frustration, I just hit random play on my changer and there it was. "32 Footsteps." I was amazed. Listened to the album over and over again, and TMBG's first album sank its mischevious little hooks into my soul. Bouncy, catchy, upbeat psychosis in musical form! Oh, the joy! My friend never got the CD back, and to this day TMBG remains one of the most beloved bands in this punk's musical arsenal.

They Might Be Giants have been known for their zany quirkiness and addicting melodies, but no other TMBG offering is quite as zany or quirky as their first entry into the world of albums. With nothing more then the band members (John, and, well, John) a drum machine, and some keyboards and guitars, the Johns went out to produce some true classics (The fluid and self mocking "Everything that's right", the paranoid "She's an Angel", and, of course, nonsensical blips like "Boat of Car"), and some true misses. (I personally found "(She was a) Hotel Detective" really annoying, as well as "Alienation for the rich", but some people like these, so I guess I'm just silly. ) However, the true greatness of this CD, like many others, is BECAUSE there is guaranteed to be something you won't like at first, and even more things you will like, only for the sheer fact that so many genres are covered in this CDs 19 wacky tracks. I, personally, prefer the Giants in their other CDs when they gain greater depth in their lyrics, and even later when they become an actual BAND. If you are just getting into TMBG, I would suggest getting one of their more accessible sounding albums first, such as Flood or Factory Showroom, and save this for after you've become familiar with the unique sense of humor the Johns have. But, most certainly, you'll want to check this out at some point in your life. All in all, a good CD and tis all, especially since it pales in comparison to what was to come.