Customer Reviews

The Else

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

First off, let me apologize for the title of this review. I couldn't help myself!

The Else, the 12th official release from They Might Be Giants, does not disappoint. The CD offers a total of 13 tracks and there's not a throw-away in the bunch. Obviously there are some songs that are better than others, but all are entertaining and witty. (And I'm sure your favorites will probably be different from mine...that's one of the joys of TMBG - there ability to appeal to various listeners in different ways.)

This album is a worthy addition to the TMBG canon. In the pre-release publicity for The Else, John Flansburg (who, along with John Linnell, forms the core of the band) said that "We wanted to be sure this was an album that was our best effort from beginning to end and I am very excited to report I believe we've actually done it!" I certainly agree with his assessment.

Some of the best songs on the disc are "The Mesopotamians," "The Cap'm," "Upside Down Frown," "Feign Amnesia," and the odd and quirky "Bee of the Bird of the Moth." However, without question, my personal favorite moment is the new extended version of "Contrecoup."

The demo version of Contrecoup has been floating around since 2005 and has appeared on the TMBG podcast as well as the TMBG Clock Radio (an Adobe Flash-powered application, originally released on tmbg.com in 2003, that streams MP3s from tmbg.com). The song had its origins in a challenge issued to John Linnell on WNYC's "The Next Big Thing" radio show to create a song using the almost-forgotten words contrecoup, craniosophic, and limerent.

I loved the original demo, but now the song has truly been "finished" with a much larger band sound. The length of the song has doubled from from just over a minute and a half to a full 3 minutes and 11 seconds. If you ever needed proof that John Linnell is a lyrical genius, then this song should do the trick.

And if all of this wan't already enough to make you want to add The Else to your CD collection, the first printing also contains an additional disc with 23 extra songs on it! The bonus disc, called Cast Your Pod to the Wind, is primarily made up of songs that had been previously featured on a TMBG podcast. In fact, 21 of the 23 songs were previously released through via podcast, including the title track. Two songs, "I'm Your Boyfriend Now" and "We Live In A Dump" have been entirely re-recorded for the disc, while many others have been remixed, remastered and partially re-recorded for release on CD.

Admittedly, some of the songs on the bonus disc aren't fantastic (I absolutely HATE "The Mexican Drill"). However, it is a fantastic bonus with some really enjoyable moments, like "We Live In A Dump," "Microphone," and "Metal Detector." The full track listing is as follows:

1. Put Your Hand On The Computer (1:57)
2. I'm Your Boyfriend Now (2:40)
3. Why Did You Grow A Beard? (1:08)
4. We Live In A Dump (1:40)
5. Brain Problem Situation (2:55)
6. Sketchy Galore (2:21)
7. Microphone (2:04)
8. Vestibule (1:58)
9. Greasy Kid Stuff (1:40)
10. Metal Detector (Live) (3:42)
11. Employee Of The Month (1:24)
12. Homunculus (2:15)
13. No Plan B (Live) (1:40)
14. Morgan In The Morning ID (1:06)
15. Kendra McCormick (0:51)
16. Yeah, The Deranged Millionaire (1:23)
17. My Other Phone Is A Boom Car (0:28)
18. I Hear A New World (2:09)
19. (She Was A) Hotel Detective In The Future (2:04)
20. Haunted Floating Eye (1:24)
21. Scott Bower (1:23)
22. The Mexican Drill (1:10)
23. Cast Your Pod To The Wind (1:25)

The Else (and the bonus disc) will ensure that your frown remains upside down! You won't regret buying this release!

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.

Great toe tappin' fun. I never understood why people can be so harsh on TMBG. They're goofy. Keep that in mind, and it's all good.

This is the first album since Apollo 18 that I've taken to instantly on the first listening.

Plus, there are some very good songs on the bonus podcast CD...the best being Brain Problem Situation.

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 John Henry. My complaint with John Henry was that it was too rock-oriented; there weren't enough playful tracks as there were with Apollo 18 or Flood. 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!

At the very least, "The Spine" was an improvement on "Mink Car," and They look to be improving even moreso with "The Else." This album is almost as good -- actually, scratch that -- is as good as "Factory Showroom," and that means a LOT, as that album was a much maligned masterpiece.

It doesn't seem as good as the reviews suggest at first. In fact, my first listen ended with disappointment, despite the quality of the closing track (the utterly brilliant "Mesopotamians"). For the first time in their long and varied career, They have brought out an album that could actually be classified as "a grower." And seriously, these songs begin to connect like nothing else after awhile, and eventually the entire album experience is revealed to be as cohesive as "Factory Showroom," their only other LP to be considered cohesive to begin with.

Flansy surprised me with this record. It will be different for every listener/fan, but my favorite songs off this album are his, which has never been the case in the past. Especially in the past few years -- his work was either good or hokey beyond belief. But not this time, minus the rather meh "Take Out the Trash," which isn't that bad but is easily the worst cut on the album (a bit too Smashmouth for my tastes). "Careful What You Pack" is so unlike TMBG it's insane -- and I'm not exaggerating when I say it could have been done by The Flaming Lips or a conservative Radiohead. "With the Dark" is genius, something that recalls their past unlike any other song on the record. It's a mini opera-like suite, with genre hopping every 30 seconds or so. "The Shadow Government" and "Feign Amnesia" are maybe slightly geeky, but genuinely fun rockers, with "Goverment" especially being "John Henry" worthy.

Linnell doesn't disappoint, though. "I'm Impressed" does electronic-rock (or whatever) great, and the already underrated "Upside Down Frown" is so pretty and adorable, not to mention it sounds like it could have been on the first two albums. "The Cap'm" is a convincing rocker, with some funny lyrics as well ("did you say/...what I think you just said/my hat looks good on me?/I agree!"). Aforementioned "Mesopotamians" is easily thier best closer since, well, "The Bells Are Ringing," and also one of their best overall.

Don't listen to Pitchfork and other negative-ish reviews; this album is amazingly consistent and works more well than it probably should. Although not as good as thier first five albums, it still is much better than their last few albums. Pick this one up.

Note: the bonus CD is strictly for hardcore fans. Most of the songs are average, with a couple that are great and a few that are beyond terrible. It's pretty funny that the best moment on the entire disc is when "Metal Detector" (a live version) comes on.

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!

Others have commented that there are no standout tracks, and I think that's probably going to be true for most people on first listen, but that's partially because this is a remarkably solid album. There's not a throwaway track in the bunch. The production is also a factor here. I had the same issue with Radiohead's OK Computer when it was released; at first it just sounded like 12 versions of the same song to me because it was so consistent as an album. But the more you listen, the more the songs begin to differentiate themselves. Highlights: "I'm Impressed" and "The Mesopotamians" are probably the most outright catchy tracks on the album. "With the Dark" is a varied musical trip along the lines of The Beatles' "You Never Give Me Your Money." "Careful What You Pack" hearkens back more to Flansy's early slow songs like "Hideaway Folk Family" than to the saccharine "Another First Kiss." And "Feign Amnesia" is his finest power pop number since "Twistin." All things told, it's definitely the strongest of their full-band albums, in my opinion, and possibly better than Apollo 18.

The bonus disc has about an EP's worth of great songs, though it's all worth listening to.

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.

Has it really been 12 albums already? Where does the time go? This set of songs would be perfectly at home between Apollo 18 and John Henry. Not every song is what I'd call a Home Run, but the over all compilation is just right. After doing so much kiddie stuff and obscure podcast style short songs, it's nice to have a real album again. If you liked the sound of TMBG in the late 80's and early 90's you won't be disappointed with this album.

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!