They Might Be Giants - The Else
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Free Music Notes for The Else
Free Music Review: What Else? Do You Need?
Hit: 4 Stars
Everyone I knew in 1990 had the album Flood with all of the cultish, somewhat hilarious classics that came from this group of nuts and I hadn't even really thought of them for years when I stumbled across their new album. A few listens of the first song "I'm Impressed" had me a little excited, instead of silly pop or strange ethereal words, it was a real song and a good song at that. The boys were actually saying something, so I found the second song "Take Out The Trash" and the next "Upside Down Frown" and by then I was hooked.
I can't even believe how good all of The Else really is. Again, I like every single song on here. Yet again some are better than others so it's not perfect but there aren't a lot of perfect albums out there and when an album can grab me with even 3 songs in a row, I consider it a success. And should long time fans or even remotely loving fans, be worried forget about it - the sense of humor, irony and sarcasm are all still there. I guess, they, like the rest of us, just grew up. Definitely get your hands on The Else, or else. Best Tracks: "I'm Impressed", "Climbing The Walls", "The Shadow Government", "Take Out The Trash".
Free Music Review: The Real Scoop
Hit: 4 Stars
This is a good, not great, TMBG CD. In my view, the best songs are The Mesopotamians, Bee of a Bird of a Moth, The Cap'm and Upside Down Frown. All of these are absolutely great and, themselves, worth the price of the CD. The Cap'm really grew on me and is fantastic live.
People seem to want something "new" from this band. Not me. If the band can continue to put out great TMBG songs that would fit in equally well on Flood, Factory Showroom, or The Else, that would be just fine with me. And for those who malign The Spine, Memo to Human Resources ranks with the very best TMBG songs of all time. Keep up the good work!
Free Music Review: Nostalgia with a new feeling
Hit: 5 Stars
I feel as if this album is culmination of all of TMBG's past work. Throughout the album I've felt nostalgic, surprised and desiring more with each new song. Every album before The Else has its great songs and the only song I find 'lacking' on this album is "Feign Amnesia". It's a bit repetitive and ends without and feeling of closure (maybe that was the point but I'm not feeling it).
Everything on The Else feels like it could be placed on another album and not mess up the flow. i.e. "Contrecoup" could've been on Mink Car in place of "My Man" and "Bee of the Bird of the Moth" could very well have been on Apollo 18.
I feel like I've gotten to know TMBG and I might have a different perspective on this album had I only heard a few of their albums or songs. Even if The Else instills a sense of familiarity on me, the songs on it are quite new and fresh without a hint of giving up.
And a comment about the cover art. I was taken quite aback at it. I was so unsure that the CD I ahd picked up at the store was a They Might Be Giants album that I had to re-read the title a few times. The cover art is a little weird, even for TMBG.
Free Music Review: 4-1/2 stars -- Innovation of giant proportions
Hit: 4 Stars
They Might Be Giants is one of those bands that can be classified as a "cult favorite", because although they have never scored many big hits (if any), their albums are still highly acclaimed by fans. And even though their songs sound pretty mainstream, the reason why they've been eluded by mainstream audiences after all is because their subject matter is usually more humorous than serious, thus casual listeners might not know quite what to make of them. Even so, I didn't care for their 2004 album The Spine all that much, but I must say that I'm enjoying The Else.
One interesting thing about this album is that although the band's quirky rhythm's haven't changed much, the songs aren't far out of left field like they usually are. Many of the song's lyrics are a little more serious but fortunately they still succeed, as evidenced by "Bee of the Bird of the Moth", "Careful What You Pack" and "Take out the Trash". But humor still suits them well, as shown on "Climbing the Walls".
I couldn't give the album five stars because "Upside Down Frown" gave me a right-side-up frown, but everything else is stellar enough. They Might Be Giants might be making more children's albums nowadays than "basic" albums, but as far as The Else goes, well, in the words of the opening track, I'm impressed.
Anthony Rupert
Free Music Review: Don't mind the negative reviews.. this album is wonderful.
Hit: 5 Stars
I suspect that those who wrote the negative reviews are not true TMBG fans. In my opinion, part of being a true fan is to see TMBG live. Sure, the early albums were very sharply produced with odd rhythms and just plain tasty weirdness. However, that is only half of the goodness which is TMBG. These guys can really rock and get a crowd going.
This album displays their talent as a band, with real bass and drums, not synthesized electronic stuff. Truly imaginative lyrical content. Sort of like Cake, they write songs about topics that no other band would even think of. "Bee of the Bird of the Moth"? C'mon, no one but TMBG would even know that there is a real Hummingbird Moth.
'The Else' is NOT like the first 4 albums. It is different, to be sure, but just enjoy it.