They Might Be Giants Album: “Indestructible Object [EP]”

Yes, Indestructible Object is, at best, a tease, a way for TMBG to try to get advance interest for their new album The Spine (two of this EP's five tracks are going to appear on The Spine). Is this good or bad?

Well, the best thing you can say about this EP is that it doesn't have a bad track on it. "Am I Awake?" is a creepy, drum-laced track featuring braintwisting lyrics showcasing how your mind works after going without sleep for too long ("The coffee's cold / Did I forget to drink it yet? / Did I forget? / My clothes are wet / I don't remember drinking it"). The similarly strong "Memo to Human Resources," though a bit ambling in its song structure, manages to sum up workplace angst and depression perfectly.

"Au Contraire," in comparison to the first two tracks, is a TMBG fan-favorite, a nice piece of nonsense that, while lyrically lacking, is still rather fun (especially for having the nerve to call David Bowie "Dave" or showcase Jodie Foster, Bach, and Gandhi playing cards together). "Ant" is another favorite that gets a serious reworking. The lyrics are the same (a parable about how sleeping on small problems turns them into rather big ones), but the composition is starkly different, turning the original's quiet guitar strumming into a wild horn freakout. The only somewhat weak track on the album is TMBG's cover of the Pet Sounds classic "Caroline, No," which, while faithful to the original, just isn't TMBG enough to make it more than a novelty at best.

With all the praise I'm throwing around up above, why do I only give it three stars? As I mentioned above, this EP is a tease. It's much too short and leaves you craving for more when it's finished. Of course, given that The Spine is set to be released July 13, maybe this is what the band intended on.

I found the EP to be one of the best recording i've listened to in a while in only 5 songs. The newer, origional music ("memo to human resources" and "au contraire") are hopefully a hint of what to come on the upcoming album "the spine". Au contraire is one of the catchiest songs i've heard in a while. While 'memo' is strangely reminicent of 'end of the tour' in how its message slowly grows on you. The growth of the johns as musicians is very evident in this recording and i hope the new album is even better.

They Might Be Giant's latest EP, "Indestructible Object", is a wonderful CD, with two shortcomings: number one, it's way too short - 12 minutes, to be precise, and this shortcoming is compounded by how good the CD is; it really leaves you wanting more of TMBG's maturing sound. Which leads me to the second shortcoming, namely, that this will probably be the only new release John and John offer up in 2004. But as for the songs themselves, they're all terrific. "Am I Awake" invokes the same electronic sound that worked so wonderfully in "Man It's So Loud In Here" (on the Mink Car LP). "Memo", "Au Contraire" and "Ant" are all classic weirdo-indie rock, and the Beach Boy cover "Caroline, No" is actually quite lovely. This EP demonstrates tremendous promise for the next full release; the John's seem to have the kiddie-rock vibe out of their system following "No!" and "Bed, Bed, Bed" -- not that those aren't both very enjoyable CD's, but the older crowds will appreciate this one a little more.

If you're a fan.. you need this one.

I love this EP because it mixes electronic artsiness with their usual geek-rock-alternapop and appreciation for popular classics such as "Caroline, no" This is a good stop gap release from the band and one that most won't mind getting because it contains exclusive tracks.

TMBG fans have waited nearly 3 years for this and, for THIS fan at least, the wait was well worth it! "Memo" was the only original that didn't immediately "stick to my ribs", but the rest are outstanding. And, I like their cover of "Caroline, No". I have been there. Hope the John's aren't trying to give someone a message?