Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 4:02 am Posts: 44183 Location: New York Gender: Male
they're fun, vaguely nonsensical, pretty harmless artists--very easy to enjoy although after a certain point you've heard all you really need to hear--apollo 18 and the record right before it (with birdhouse in your soul, istanbull, etc) are good places to start and probably all you really need unless they really light a fire under you.
_________________ "Better the occasional faults of a Government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a Government frozen in the ice of its own indifference."--FDR
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:22 pm Posts: 3641 Location: The Maritimes Gender: Male
stip wrote:
they're fun, vaguely nonsensical, pretty harmless artists--very easy to enjoy although after a certain point you've heard all you really need to hear--apollo 18 and the record right before it (with birdhouse in your soul, istanbull, etc) are good places to start and probably all you really need unless they really light a fire under you.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:14 am Posts: 37778 Location: OmaGOD!!! Gender: Male
I don't listen to them a lot, but I have a tremendous respect for their art. It's unself-conscious parody of pop music formulae, with a really smart sense of humor.
My kids have this children's DVD that they made called "Here Come the ABC's", and it's really quite brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself singing the songs from that to myself. The best kids music you're going to find out there, much better than the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album.
They're geniuses.
_________________ Unfortunately, at the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Flower Children jerked off and went back to sleep.
Post subject: Re: they might be giants...worth checking?
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 1:56 am
Supersonic
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:55 pm Posts: 11320 Location: Brooklyn Gender: Male
That clip that Jorge posted - for those who do not know - comes from a wonderfully charming and awkwardly assembled little documentary titled: Gigantic (A Tale Of Two Johns). It was released in 2002, and is essential viewing for any They Might Be Giants fan.
Also, the Giants have a new "adult" album out this year (July 19th, I think). So the hopefully the pumping of this thread will be a little more than meaningless.
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:04 pm Posts: 311 Gender: Male
punkdavid wrote:
I don't listen to them a lot, but I have a tremendous respect for their art. It's unself-conscious parody of pop music formulae, with a really smart sense of humor.
My kids have this children's DVD that they made called "Here Come the ABC's", and it's really quite brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself singing the songs from that to myself. The best kids music you're going to find out there, much better than the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album.
They're geniuses.
You should check out the "123's" album, it's pretty good too. I remember the first time I played the "ABC's" for my son, as up until then he had only watched the video. His eyes were huge and he asked, in his little 2y/o voice, how I got the music off the tv and into the car.
"Flood" and "Apollo 18" are good, but hardly the best.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 1:14 am Posts: 37778 Location: OmaGOD!!! Gender: Male
Bune wrote:
punkdavid wrote:
I don't listen to them a lot, but I have a tremendous respect for their art. It's unself-conscious parody of pop music formulae, with a really smart sense of humor.
My kids have this children's DVD that they made called "Here Come the ABC's", and it's really quite brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself singing the songs from that to myself. The best kids music you're going to find out there, much better than the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album.
They're geniuses.
You should check out the "123's" album, it's pretty good too. I remember the first time I played the "ABC's" for my son, as up until then he had only watched the video. His eyes were huge and he asked, in his little 2y/o voice, how I got the music off the tv and into the car.
"Flood" and "Apollo 18" are good, but hardly the best.
We have all of the kids albums (Here Comes Science is quite excellent as well), and we actually were lucky enough to see a TMBG "family show" about 2 weeks ago. Very small venue at the Iowa State Farigrounds, only about 1000 people, if that. They played for about an hour, about 2/3 stuff from the kids albums, and then the rest were greatest hits like Birdhouse, Particle Man, Constatinople, and other stuff that kids would dig. Great show for the kids, and the parents.
_________________ Unfortunately, at the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius, the Flower Children jerked off and went back to sleep.
Joined: Mon Jan 17, 2005 11:04 pm Posts: 311 Gender: Male
punkdavid wrote:
Bune wrote:
punkdavid wrote:
I don't listen to them a lot, but I have a tremendous respect for their art. It's unself-conscious parody of pop music formulae, with a really smart sense of humor.
My kids have this children's DVD that they made called "Here Come the ABC's", and it's really quite brilliant. I can't tell you how many times I've found myself singing the songs from that to myself. The best kids music you're going to find out there, much better than the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album.
They're geniuses.
You should check out the "123's" album, it's pretty good too. I remember the first time I played the "ABC's" for my son, as up until then he had only watched the video. His eyes were huge and he asked, in his little 2y/o voice, how I got the music off the tv and into the car.
"Flood" and "Apollo 18" are good, but hardly the best.
We have all of the kids albums (Here Comes Science is quite excellent as well), and we actually were lucky enough to see a TMBG "family show" about 2 weeks ago. Very small venue at the Iowa State Farigrounds, only about 1000 people, if that. They played for about an hour, about 2/3 stuff from the kids albums, and then the rest were greatest hits like Birdhouse, Particle Man, Constatinople, and other stuff that kids would dig. Great show for the kids, and the parents.
We like the Science one as well, but it's a little "advanced" compared to the other two so I am hesitant to recommened without knowing ages.
I'd love to go to one of the family shows, but they don't seem to come around here very often. The current tour gets as far as St. Louis and turns around. wtf.
Post subject: Re: they might be giants...worth checking?
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 1:30 am
Supersonic
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:55 pm Posts: 11320 Location: Brooklyn Gender: Male
New album, Join Us.
It's on point. I'm liking it a lot so far. I'm on my second full on listen. Some low points, to be sure. But the highlights are gorgeous. Usually, I tend toward Linnell's contributions. But I'm a HUGE fan of all things Flansburgh on this one. Great to have the Giants back.
Post subject: Re: they might be giants...worth checking?
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:23 am
Supersonic
Joined: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:55 pm Posts: 11320 Location: Brooklyn Gender: Male
I can understand that. They're tough sometimes. I think if I hadn't stumbled into them when I was young, I may not like them now either. Something just clicked when I heard they're album, Flood. I was about eleven years old. I've been on board since.
They're so smart and catchy. I love their lyrics and they put on a great live show.
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