They Might Be Giants - They Might Be Giants (1986)
Genre: Alternative Rock, New Wave
They Might Be Giants' debut album, released in 1986 mixed a plethora of influences and genres such as folk, synth-pop and alternative rock to create an interesting esthetic. This album is being reviewed per request. As a reminder, I do not intend
for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick
personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I will do, I try to be
objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the
final grade.
Right off the bat, I have to admit that there is no shortage of creative ideas on this record. There's so many musical influences, genres, and instrumental quirks thrown into pretty much all 19 tracks on this thing. The great thing about packing that many tunes into this 38-minute record, is that it constantly feels fresh, rarely boring you with any dead ideas. Interestingly enough, I like to think of this record as a collection of "catchy-filler." Number Three is one such example that comes to mind. There's something really moronic, yet hilarious about a song who's lyrical content deals with literally writing said song. And yet, I can't deny how catchy it is.
In fact, it's hard to ignore how many of the tunes here contain such incoherent lyrics, and yet doesn't detract from the their enjoyment. Youth Culture Killed My Dog is quite hooking with it's early synth-wave bass groove and heavy alternative rock style. But seriously, what the heck does the song mean? I could write 20 pages worth of content trying to make sense of the lyrics on a lot of these songs, but that aside, it really is quite odd when once in a while you come across such an upbeat song with some seemingly dark subject matter. I Hope That I Get Old Before I Die is one such example, obviously dealing with the prospect of death and how we subconsciously fear its inevitability. There's no rhyme or reason on this album, but that's just part of the group's charm.
There's something to be said about the vocals that really drives some of these tracks. Half the time, the singer sounds like he's a hillbilly who just had a smoke for the first time. In simple terms, they add a very poignant country flair, that while not necessarily bad in the context of this kind of music, it may end up coming across as either amusing in a comedic way, or just plain annoying for some. I tend to mostly appreciate it. It's quirky and interesting to see the contrast between such songs and others where the singer showcases some pretty heavy vocal performances, reminiscent of more traditional indie hard rock.
Sonically, the album employs good use of a wide assortment of instruments, like the accordion and synthesizer, as well as some samples. They gives a lot of the tracks more depth and personality, because the root of most of these songs lie within basic chord structures and alternative rock tropes. Rhythm Section Want Ad employs heavy use of the synthesizer to create a carnival-esque soundscape that becomes prominent at a certain break in the song. Slightly creepy, but very interesting within this genre. Other songs employ their own neat quirks as well.
Sonically, the album employs good use of a wide assortment of instruments, like the accordion and synthesizer, as well as some samples. They gives a lot of the tracks more depth and personality, because the root of most of these songs lie within basic chord structures and alternative rock tropes. Rhythm Section Want Ad employs heavy use of the synthesizer to create a carnival-esque soundscape that becomes prominent at a certain break in the song. Slightly creepy, but very interesting within this genre. Other songs employ their own neat quirks as well.
I honestly don't want to get into much detail about the tracks, because I believe they all have their charm, and it's hard to pinpoint something that really sticks out to me for a majority of them. This is just simply an enjoyable record, with a great mix of different genres and some interesting sonic experimentation. If you're a fan of less traditional alternative rock and enjoy some humor in your music, this is a pretty solid album. I find it very hard to say much else because much its charm is something that will (hopefully) be much more appreciated and understood if you simply listen to it yourself.
B+
Favorite Tracks: Number Three, (She Was A) Hotel Detective, Youth Culture Killed My Dog, Alienation's For The Rich, Rhythm Section Want Ad
Least Favorite Track: Toddler Hiway
