They Might Be Giants Album: “Else”

I would say that The Else is an even stronger album overall than The Spine was (though, in truth, there are far catchier songs to be found on the previous record). The Else is a weird, moody, and intriguing record. I've heard, and would agree, that there are no real standout tracks to be found...maybe in the future when the whole thing can be listened to with more perspective. I have to say, though, that it really sucked me in when "With The Dark" came on. Like a little rock opera unto itself, it paves the way for the rest of the album. To illustrate this, and I don't know if this would have any meaning to anyone else, but on first listen, that was the song that made me take the inlay back out and follow along with the lyrics, as I did with the rest of the album.

I've listened to it in its entirety a few times now and I still feel that it's a strong album. Very interesting arrangements and especially strong guitar work. As the album progresses, a fair amount of horns work their way into the mix, leaving me wanting to compare this with John Henry. The songwriting strikes me as similar to that album, as well.

The bonus disc, only to be included with the first pressing but sure to be released on its own in due time, collects 23 unreleased tracks, many of which seem album-worthy. Which leads me to one complaint, if you can call it that: The Else, with it's thirteen tracks, is too short, a bit too one-sided. Had a few of the bonus songs been incorporated into the album, The Else would have been classic. I get the feeling that They Might Be Giants are playing it a little too safe musically. Their artwork and overall presentation is at an all-time high (this album and The Spine both boast incredible, eye-catching art), but one of the things I've always loved about the band is that they seem willing to toss a weird little vignette or a strange little song about nothing in particular onto an album, whereas most bands generally save these for the archives or a bonus disc, or never release them at all.

I suppose I shouldn't complain. They Might Be Giants could have easily allowed the 23 fine tracks on the bonus disc to remain unheard outside of podcast or dial-a-song venues. I just wish they'd loosen up a bit, I guess.

But enough complaining...after all, like I said, The Else is a very good album. One that I'll be listening to regularly. I suppose it's just that, being used to getting twenty or so songs for so long, thirteen is kind of a disappointment. I thought the same thing when Factory Showroom came out. But I still listen to that album; I still think it's great. It doesn't bother me anymore that it's relatively short. I'll feel the same way about The Else someday soon. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy it for what it is. They Might Be Giants' 12th Album.

The first time I listened to The Else, I came away incredibly disappointed. How could They Might Be Giants have lost their way? Where were the classic tracks? Every past album TMBG has released has had at least one classic; why wasn't that the case with their latest effort?

The answer was that the classic tracks were right here, staring me in the face. I found that the more I listened to the album, the more I liked it which, strangely enough, was exactly how I felt when I first listened to

. My complaint with John Henry was that it was too rock-oriented; there weren't enough playful tracks as there were with

or

. But the more I listened, the more I realized that TMBG had simply progressed in their music. Today, John Henry is one of my favorite TMBG albums. And I can easily say the same thing about The Else.

As with John Henry, it has taken me several playings to fully appreciate The Else, TMBG's 12th album. Their music has progressed quite a bit, and they have a great "full" sound in this latest effort. My personal favorites include "I'm Impressed," "The Cap'M," "Withered Hope," and "The Mesopotamians," each of which is worth the price of admission.

Included with this first edition CD is a bonus disc of songs from the TMBG podcast. It is worth noting that the bonus disc is as good as the official album itself, so it's like you're getting two albums for the price of one! I had never listened to the TMBG podcast until I heard these songs; now I'm a subscriber in iTunes! So many of the songs on the bonus disc evoke memories from their early days, and a number of them are very catchy. My favorites include "Why Did You Grow a Beard?," "We Live in a Dump," "Brain Problem Situation," and "(She Was A) Hotel Detective in the Future." A live version of "Metal Detector" is included, which is nice, but I would have preferred another new song rather than a rehash of a classic.

If you're a fan of the They Might Be Giants, definitely pick up this album. And make sure you listen to it two or three times. Once just isn't enough to appreciate how the band's sound has changed. You'll be glad you gave it a chance; I know I am!

But I have to disagree with the reviewer who labelled this "the worst kind of synth-pop." Yes, there are a few songs that use the dreaded drum machine, but at least half of the songs (or more) use good old-fashioned live drums and rockin' guitars. I absolutely love "the Cap'm", even with its silly (but witty) lyrics, the tune for this song is just great. Like many TMBG releases, not every song is a keeper, but I'd have to say this is their best hit-to-miss ratio in quite a while (I was not particularly a fan of Mink Car or the Spine). And as many reviewers have also noted, the extensive bonus disc of podcast songs (included in the first edition of this album) more than makes up for it if you are not totally into the actual CD. I think TMBG has many many good years left in them and even if they never again match the brilliance of "Flood" (I consider Birdhouse one of the most immaculate songs ever written), I am glad to support a band which does not dumb down their songs, which is not afraid to try new things, and which has never "sold out" just to have a "radio hit". Plus, if you ever have a chance, they are outstanding live musicians and their shows are usually hilarious and infectious. TMBG forever!

The Else is possibly TMBG's most straightforward album to date. This album is less eclectic than some of their previous work, featuring back-to-back head-bobbing rock tunes (with the exception of "Careful What You Pack", the only 'slow' song of the bunch). Noteworthy is the absence of accordian on the album, which seems a bit disappointing at first. Nevertheless, this is a very solid rock album. The lyrics are typical TMBG, as clever and darkly humorous as ever. Be sure to get this while the limited edition bonus cd is available. If you are familiar with Their other rock albums, you won't be disappointed with this. If you are new to the band, this wouldn't make a bad place to start.

Initially, some songs caught my attention faster than others, naturally the fast ones (I'm Impressed, Take Out the Trash, Withered Hope, Mesopotamians). As the week went by, I began to grasp all the tracks as a whole, as a gestalt experience.

It was a shock to me that Take Out the Trash was not really about garbage. Does it seem like "leave your skanky boyfriend" is a little below TMBG's usual standard for song themes? Or do They have a standard? Or are They being parodistic and going over my head again, which would raise it back to standard?

Bee of the Bird of the Moth is brilliant in a quiet way. The beat makes me think of droning bee/bird/moth wings. But what do I know about music as it relates to insects?

The BONUS CD is a BONUS - it's a gift, just like their free downloads. Appreciate it! Hooray for generosity & prolificacy!