The Spine

Performer: They Might Be Giants
Engineer: Pat Dillett
Producer: They Might Be Giants; Pat Dillett
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: They Might Be Giants: John Flansburgh, John Linnell. Additional personnel: Dan Miller (guitar); Danny Wienkauf (bass instrument); Marty Beller (drums). A new THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS release is somewhat akin to an issue of Mad Magazine with a bonus CD; wit, sarcasm, and satire abound, accompanied by all manner of sonic finery. Though Johns Flansburgh and Linnell are best known for the cartoonish, humor-filled aspect of their songs, there's often something deeper lurking below the surface. On THE SPINE, while there's as much quirky cleverness as on previous TMBG albums, there seems to be more of an emotional core to many of the tracks. There's a palpable sense of disillusionment and dislocation at the heart of "Memo to Human Resources," brought home by a melancholy, Beatles-like structure. The post-New Wave power pop of "Broke in Two" strolls gingerly through the shards of a painful past. The protagonist of "I Can't Hide from My Mind" is engaged in the confusing process of finding his own center. Of course, there's plenty of jubilant absurdism in the grand Giants tradition, as well, but THE SPINE has more to offer those willing to listen closely for it.

Rolling Stone (p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 - "TMBG maintain their characteristic mix of playful absurdism and deeper melancholy in matured, two-minute marvels..." Q (p.119) - 3 stars out of 5 - "It's packed with sweet, oft-piste songs..." Uncut (p.97) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Lyrically, the territory they cover is still perversely eclectic..." Magnet (p.108) - "The two Johns delight in offering a shiny surface replete with singalong hooks and crafty riffs, but their secret weapon has always been their depiction of common human fears and frailties." CMJ (p.4) - "Hook-laden and rife with their patented clever lyrics, THE SPINE is classic They Might Be Giants: hard not to love, and will have everybody jumping." Mojo (Publisher) (p.99) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[T]he tunes are agreeable enough, as is their unhinged wit."

John Flansburgh and John Linnell, the two singer/songwriters behind Brooklyn avant-pop cult band They Might Be Giants, were childhood friends who have been working under the TMBG banner since the '80s. The words "nerdy," "geek-rock," and "quirky" have been applied to their melodic, humor-filled songs so often there should be a cross-reference in the dictionary. Over their numerous albums with and without backing musicians (in the early days they used a drum machine) they've offered songs about the most unlikely subjects imaginable, from Belgian painter James Ensor to famed cinematic costume designer Edith Head. Their masterful songcraft is such that they've long maintained a healthy audience for their idiosyncratic sound.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25