They Might Be Giants - The Spine
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Music CD Cover
Artist: They Might Be GiantsEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-07-13
Music Label: Zoe Records
Soundtracks:
- Experimental Film
- Spine
- Memo to Human Resources
- Wearing a Raincoat
- Prevenge
- Thunderbird
- Bastard Wants to Hit Me
- The World Before Later On
- Museum of Idiots
- It's Kickin' In
- Spines
- Au Contraire
- Damn Good Times
- Broke in Two
- Stalk of Wheat
- I Can't Hide from My Mind
Free Music Notes for The Spine
Free Music Review: To Infinity and Beyond
Hit: 5 Stars
There used to be two types of reviews for a They Might Be Giants album. One would aim for newcomers, curious about the band. The other would speak to established fans who long-knew they were going to buy the album and were seeking validation, while sitting at their computers in their TMBG caps and shirts, while sipping coffee from their Tony Millionaire mugs, while either nodding or poising their cursors over the "Not Helpful" vote button. Now there's a disturbing third type, those who have lost the faith and want to know if it's worth the cash, giving the Giants a second or third chance.
THE SPINE is They Might Be Giants's tenth album. I've been with the band since a little before JOHN HENRY hit the sales racks. Gotta admit: I'm a fan-addict. With shaky hands I would unwrap each new release, drop it in the player, and start grinning even before the first track began. Halfway through the album I'd be nodding, half-smiling, and wondering what in the world was going on here. By the last track, I'd still be nodding, vaguely pleased. The CD would go back into its protective case, and I'd listen to an old favorite: Apollo 18, Flood, Lincoln. Because THOSE were the Giants I fell in love with.
They Might Be Giants is a progressive band--gods of music, in my opinion. They are always producing, always writing, always playing. They love what they do and it shows. They're always pushing the limits, trying new sounds, bending old sounds, crossing genres, and perfecting their art. Call me "fan-addict-al," but TMBG become the music for me. Of course, with such proliferation, they're bound to generate a different sound than the last album. Every album is a hearty step up for these guys.
THE SPINE is no different. No different, although some of you have reasonable complaints that our heroes have "jumped the shark." I believe that you have to give each new Giants release a real chance--3 to 5 listens. Those first couple of times, you--like me--are bound to think, "Hm. A little weak." But each listen builds on the last. The songs grow on you. You will learn to hear the same subtleties of harmony and cleverness that won you over in the 80s and 90s. But don't expect to hear another FLOOD. And APOLLO 18 is still there for you to adore. Why expect this band to rehash the same-ol'-same-ol'? They won't. They shouldn't.
I've probably listened to the album twenty times this week. I can't get tired of it. While some of you (no offense intended) are busy writing emails about how this album sucks, I'm busy learning the lyrics. I'm singing them poorly, wondering how Linnell does that stuff with his voice, wishing I could muster Flansburgh's energy. I tend to think that it's the fans who have faced the shark and turned away, fearful of taking steps into a brave new future.
Believe me when I say that I understand your trepidation. But THE SPINE is a strong project--a great project when you consider that my original impression had been, "Hm. Weak." My only complaint is its shortness. It's approximately a half-hour experience. I'll take it. A half-hour of the Giants is far preferable to an hour of [INSERT ANNOYING BAND NAME HERE]. And it's not like the Johns are sitting on their butts. They've given us a children's album, a children's storybook CD, a free online radio, and much more in the meantime. Add up all those hours. THE SPINE is worth the two-year wait for a "studio release."
I guess there's a fourth type of They Might Be Giants review, for those fans who hated THE SPINE (as compared to the last album you listened to). You've made up your minds. I can't change your VALUABLE opinion. It just makes me sad that you're not going to be tagging along for the ride.
For you newcomers, I don't know if I'd suggest this album right off the bat. I WANT TO, but I won't. In your shoes, I'd first buy DIAL-A-SONG: 20 YEARS OF THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. It's a little more crowd-pleasing, which means it's got the theme from MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE and "Birdhouse in Your Soul." You'll have to work your way up to understand (in an emotional sense) why THE SPINE is the best album yet.
Did I say the "best album yet"? I did. I always end up liking each album better than the previous. I feel as though I'm taking each musical step WITH the Johns (and the Dans), as sad and fan-addict-al as that sounds. I can't imagine a world without these alternative pop-rockers.
I'm not going to bother giving you a play list; you'll get that elsewhere. Nor will I attempt to describe the songs. Most of They Might Be Giants's stuff is up in the air for interpretation. The images inspired before your very ears are your own to tell. The lyrics and accompanying musical feats are how the Giants speak to you--versus speaking to the masses.
If I may add a quick note (hopefully not to be edited by the discerning AMAZON staff), I welcome anyone's emails regarding this album. I want to know what you think, even if you wildly disagree with me. Interpretations of songs are welcome.
Thanks for reading. Every TMBG album begins as a "weak" 2- or 3- star project. I give this one 5 stars. Is it because I've listened to it all week? Am I brainwashed? Maybe. But I've listened to [INSERT THE BAND I'M THINKING OF] almost as much, hoping for a shadow of the Giants, and coming up 3 stars or less. THE SPINE will grow on you. You may as well hit the REPEAT ALL button on your CD player and enjoy the spiraling boost to the stars.
The Spine Poster
With their unique blend of catchy melodies and inscrutable lyrics, They Might Be Giants have lived a twenty-year frenzy of creative output, selling over three million albums and winning a Grammy in the process. The Spine is TMBG's new release, and has been heralded as their most rocking album ever.If ever they gave out Grammys for mule-minded consistency, then Sting would have a lot more awards in his villa. But coming in a close second would be They Might Be Giants. Keyboard player John Linnell and guitarist John Flansburgh have a sense of focus that would put even the Ramones to shame. From the Brooklyn duo's first demo tape in 1985 up to its frenzied latest, The Spine, the same ingredients remain at the fore: effortlessly catchy choruses, songs that smear the line between novelty and being novel (new ones include ""Memo to Human Resources" and "Museum of Idiots"), and musical backing that sounds like a cross between a polka party and someone throwing silverware down the stairs. It's a quirky approach that's not going to easily win over any new converts but the will certainly drive the dedicated legion of old ones to smile with familiar-yet-fresh material like "Experimental Film" and "Au Contraire." --Aidin Vaziri
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