They Might Be Giants’ “First Album Live” ****1/2
Back in 1986, Brooklyn-via Lincoln, Massachusetts duo They Might Be Giants released their self-titled first record and became quirky indie and art-rock darlings. Their songs were funny and dark at the same time with a child-like sense of wonder and a powerful grasp of melody.
A lot has changed in the 28 years since. The band has released a long string of records over that time. They’ve scored television shows and ad-campaigns, they’ve won awards and released a long string of records for both adults and kids. At this point they are indie-rock gods. What a nice surprise it was to find out that they chose to release a complete live version of their debut as a free download on their website this week.
Most bands when they’ve been together for 30 years sound bored when they perform their earliest material as if they’ve done it a million times and they are just going by the numbers. That is definitely not the case with They Might Be Giants. These songs still sound remarkably fresh and they give them the kind of gusto other bands would normally only give to newer material.
In addition, many of these songs sound better and fuller than they did in in their original context. Since 1994 John Linnell and John Flansburgh have expanded to a full band. On their first four albums it was just the two of them, so these songs now churn and rock harder and better than ever.
In addition, the set offers weird surprises, like the riff from Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” and the extended stage banter that opens up the live version of “Toddler Hiway.” These songs are just as smartly ridiculous as they were back in 1986, but somehow over the years they have gained layers, probably from being played thousands of times. This is a live version of a complete album that doesn’t feel like a mere retread. It has its own rewards.
Focus Tracks:
“Don’t Let’s Start” One of their earliest signature tunes is given extra thunderous heft in this context, adding to the song’s power-pop crunch. I’ve always appreciated the pessimistic lyrics paired with the bright, sunny melody.
“Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head” Perhaps the most 80’s-sounding song the band has ever done. In this live context, the complex keyboard line really pops. Plus, it is still a really weirdly funny song.
“She’s An Angel” This is still among the band’s best and most off-beat love songs.
“Absolutely Bill’s Mood” This track was named for the album’s original producer, Bill Krauss. I wouldn’t consider it one of the best songs on the original album, but this version is remarkable thanks to specific performance tweaks. It’s a darkly playful song packed with a crushingly daunting sense of claustrophobia.