They Might Be Giants Album: “Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) [EP]”

Hey there Mimi10514 - consider yourself lucky. Actually, consider yourself super lucky. You have the International (UK) release of this CD, which mirrors the US I PALINDROME I single, substituting The Guitar and The Guitar (Williamsburgh extended mix) - a remix only on the international CD - for IPI and Larger Than Life (She's Actual Size remix).

The US release is what is stated in this entry on Amazon.

As for the EP, The Guitar is a great retooling of The Lion Sleeps Tonight. The CD was a promo for Apollo 18, but as most TMBG singles/EP's go it has one song from the album and a whole lot that isn't - this one does not fail to deliver.

Welcome To The Jungle (not the GNR song), I Blame You, and Moving to the Sun are all non-album songs that you will find match the TMBG style, especially for the era of Apollo 18. Remixes are huge to the Johns, and The Guitar receives two on this CD.

Overall I'd give this CD 4 stars. It's among their better promo CD's, but it's not exactly my favorite song from Apollo 18.

If you're into the remixes, try to hunt down that UK version, or even the 12" Vinyl Istanbul single with four remixes of the infamous song.

Here's the lowdown:

The Guitar (Williamsburgh Mix) - almost exactly the same as the regular version, except for a very short (5 sec. or so) bass solo, which isn't terribly interesting. This track does not justify purchasing this EP.

The Guitar (Outer Planet Mix) - This is okay, but I'm not a fan. It's very repetitive as most remixes are. It has some nice samples, probably from NASA broadcasts, and space-y musical effects like Space Suit from Apollo 18.

Welcome To The Jungle - Very good song. This and the next 2 songs are worth getting the CD for. They are quite Apollo 18 - sounding.

I Blame You

Moving The Sun

The Guitar (Ever Further Outer Planet Mix) - Same as the Outer Planet Mix, but with most of the vocals stripped out. I get even more bored with this one than the Outer Planet Mix.

Overall, I'm glad I have this CD for the 3 non-guitar-remix songs.

Good EP, I like it, and for that seller that got the EP with Cabbagetown and Siftin', well u got the UK EP of The Guitar..very odd. Anywho, The first song is practacally same exact recording from Apollo 18, the second is a very good cool remix that has recordings from Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The third is "Welcome to the Jungle" which is a really neat song and catchy. The next is sort of an acoustic guitar song which is probebly the worst song on the EP, but still ok. And my favorite song on the EP "Moving to the Sun" it has a unique sound to it, i just like it. And the last song is the Guitar remix without John Flansburg and Laura Cantrell. Not huge fan of The Guitar, but a great EP.

First, let me start by saying that although I am reviewing "The Guitar" single (EP) by TMBG, the songs listed above are NOT the songs on the EP. I have tried repeatedly and extensively to locate some web page with info on why this would be, but... the best I can come up with is that I own a freak copy.

This EP has two versions of The Guitar - one just a longer version of the other (UK Single Edit & "Williamsburgh Extended Mix". The Guitar is a fun, head-bobbing, toe-tapping song, based on the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

There are two additional songs:

Cabbagetown - supposedly, this song is supposed to be exclusive to the 'I Palindrome I' EP from 1992, but I don't own it to confirm (if you do, please email me). I found this song to be somewhat depressing and it plods along steadily. 2:53

Siftin' - also rumored to be on the 1992 'I Palindrome I' EP. Since The Guitar EP was also released in '92, I'm wondering if perhaps they cross-produced them simultaneously and mixed up the songs?? I may have to go track down Palindrome to satiate my curiosity. ANYWAY, Siftin' is a fun little ditty, very catchy, and primarily instrumental. 2:32