Classic DVD Review: They Might Be Giants, Direct From Brooklyn

Tinnitist, May 2, 2023
by Darryl Sterdan

This came out in 2003--or at least that's when I got it. Here's what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):

As They Might Be Giants, John Flansburgh and John Linnell have long been one of the most quirky and creative duos in alternative pop--think Barenaked Ladies with a higher IQ and a darker sense of humour.

Naturally, their videos are cut from the same oddball cloth. Direct From Brooklyn delivers a dozen of them from throughout their 15-year career, from early fan faves like Don't Let's Start and Istanbul (Not Constantinople) to more recent cuts like Doctor Worm. Between those two bookends are collected a seemingly limitless series of cheap guitars, nerdy choreography, accordion rock, astronauts on skateboards, film-school cinematography and twisted imagery. Extras include some hilarious commentary tracks, bonus audio cuts, live video, a trailer for their video documentary and even animated Tiny Toons videos. Giants? No. But geniuses? Very possibly.

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