Quite frankly, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Two musicians release a compilation of nineteen exercises in how to be a popular songwriter, throw some currently topical and strange lyrics, and somehow convince the intelligentsia that they're going to be this year's pop sensation.
Certainly the duo of John Linnell and John Flansburgh is composed of two super talented musicians. All the bases are covered, from acapella ("Toddler Highway") to fifties rehash ("Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes") to '80s politicking ("Don't Let's Start"). They Might Be Giants realize that there's a whole well of pop music left out there, and like Camper Van Beethoven, nothing is sacred. In fact, Eugene Chadbourne plays lead guitar on one song. Outside of that, it's all Linnell and Flansburgh: accordion melodies, piercing tubas, acoustic guitars—the instrumentation is impressive. But even then, is that enough for the accolades? Has contemporary music really declined that much in the past decade?
They Might Be Giants do feature unique themes in their songs. Titles like "Youth Culture Killed My Dog," and "Alienation's For The Rich," may not sound too cool. Neither are songs about Phil Ochs and Marvin Gate getting married, or puppet heads. But the way TMBG gently twist cliches and phrases will keep you guys smiling in a manner similar to the way that these guys' two biggest influences, XTC and Elvis Costello, were able to. Now c'mon, you didn't think all the rage was focused around the great album cover, did you?