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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album contains all of They Might Be Giants' first two albums, the self-titled one (sometimes called "the pink album") and Lincoln, as well as every song on Miscellaneous T (except for the single mix of "Hotel Detective"), and several bonus tracks. While I like almost all TMBG, there is a charm to this early stuff, with its emphasis on synthesizers, drum machines, samples, unusual instruments, and odd lyrics, that the band has never really reproduced. The first album has a haunting sound to many of its songs, and includes such TMBG classics as "Don't Let's Start" and "She's An Angel." Lincoln is my favorite TMBG album, with quite possibly the best running order of any of their albums, and more great songs than you could shake a stick (that big one they use for live performances of "Lie Still, Little Bottle," perhaps?) at. As for the EP B-sides, some of them were obviously B-sides for a reason ("Mr. Klaw," for instance), while others meet and even surpass the quality of album tracks. "It's Not My Birthday," for example, is one of my favorite TMBG songs. As for the previously unreleased tracks that found a home on this collection, well, many of them have a "for completists" only kind of feel to them. That's not to say that they're bad; such tracks as "Weep Day," and "Now That I Have Everything" are good songs, despite their low production value. There's not that much to many of them, though, and, since they're the only things that a person who already owns the pink album, Lincoln, and Miscellaneous T would really get from buying this, that might be a reason not to get it if you already have those albums. If you DON'T have those albums, though, and you're a fan of the band, get this! You'll save money, and have all of it in one handy package.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you like They Might Be Giants at all, this is well worth the investment as a glance into their storied past before they achieved moderate video airplay with "Birdhouse in Your Soul" from 1990's _Flood_.
It's not for everyone, necessarily - lyrics don't get more whimsical than wondering about whether angels congregate on the head of a pin to discuss you in pleasant terms, followed immediately by an aside about their space program. In addition, you can hear them learning about the recording process as the tracks progress; meaning, that if made-by-hand production values do not satisfy your expectations as a consumer, then leave this alone. Bob Clearmountain and Daniel Lanois need not fear for their reputations as engineers in the presence of Johns Linnell and Flansburgh.
If you're reading a review for anything by They Might Be Giants, you are probably at peace enough with your inner geek to disregard the cautionary statements listed above. You certainly won't find the first two albums and the unreleased material anywhere else at this price. If you're a novitiate to the wonder of the Giants, start first with their best and most accessible record, _Flood_.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was listening to one of these CDs today and was once again bowled over by how MUCH I love TMBG. This is the definitive early collection (when are they going to do "Now: The Later Years"?) and for those of us who used to listen to them on old copied tapes, this is a VAST improvement. Not to mention the extreme silliness of their lyrics and the amazing musical differences between the songs. The Giants always take musical risks--there's nothing I like better than a guitar and an accordian playing in concert.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great
Their first two albums, plus some singles or other stuff that isn't easily available on its own; what's not to love? Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tom Servo
A nice collection for TMBG fans!
Then: The Earlier Years is a nice collection for either casual or die-hard fans. Not only does it compile their self-titled debut album and later album Lincoln, but it also comes... Read more
Published on June 3, 2009 by Kirsten E. Dubois
A real find
I am a big 'They Might be Giants' fan , ever since I found a cassette of 'Flood' in a discount bin many years ago . Read more
Published on May 1, 2009 by Sean Shard
They Might Be Genius
This is a great way to explore the pre-Flood album magic of TMBG. Immediately you will recognize the voices of the two Johns trading songs that defy virtually all conventions of... Read more
Published on April 2, 2009 by sirguitarist
Why buy their first two cd's at twice the price?
This is the first two CD's of They Might be Giants released as a double cd. It has great liner notes, and some extra gravy thrown in. Read more
Published on January 12, 2007 by B. Bennett
So many amazing songs...
This double-disk set is incredible... It covers the first 2 TMBG albums, EVERY ep off the two albums, plus so much more... Read more
Published on October 5, 2005 by Joshua J. Wirtanen
Very interesting
This contains their first two albums with other rare b-sides and eps as well as oddities. Those who have the first two albums would still do well to check out the other stuff... Read more
Published on March 15, 2005 by alex bushman
Talk about bang for your buck!
This double-disc collection contains nearly everything the band recorded during the 80's, including 2 complete albums (Lincoln and the self-titled album), B-sides, and many more... Read more
Published on January 10, 2005 by J. Wesley Townsend
Mysterious, comic, and beautiful
When I first popped the disk into my CD player and the first few amazing notes of Ana Ng were performed I knew this had to be a great album. Read more
Published on October 31, 2004
the two proper albums are priceless
not so long ago, i gave this collection a lesser rating...but now i realize how impressive this music is...the start of a beautiful career. Read more
Published on July 31, 2004 by Davy
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