They Might Be Giants deserve to be mentioned amongst the greatest bands ever. They’ve been doing it solidly and consistently for 40 years and they have never put out a bad album. Amazing group.
They're very kind and modest people as well, who have made it clear that they only went into music for the creative stimulation and not for the money or recognition.
@@makidiaz3894You’re aware that not every band is going to appeal to every music listener all of the time forever, right? There are people who can’t stand Rush’s vocals, but also plenty of people who think they’re the greatest band ever. Same with Zep - there are people who who hate Plant’s voice. Dylan, Tom Petty, the list goes on. Doesn’t mean they’re not entitled to being discussed.
@@makidiaz3894 They literally make music for children. You’re the weird one if you think that’s weird. Plenty of artists make children’s music. Not liking TMBG is fine - throwing words like “predator” around is not.
GENUINELY SO GLAD THAT YOU DID A CLASSICS REVIEW FOR THIS ALBUM!!!! Lincoln is my favorite TMBG album out of their early years, so I'm so happy seeing you praise it.
I went and listened to the album when I saw this classics review and I was not feeling it. What am I missing here? I caught some catchy tunes and jingles but classic?
@@JH-dr4xo TMBG are geniuses of making great melodies and cryptic lyrics, but definitely an odd band and an acquired taste. Many of their songs are catchy jingles on the surface with hidden depth. I love Lincoln; it's one of their best albums - but the 80s DIY feel does make it seem a bit dated and less easy to get into. TBH even though its one of my favourite albums, I get why many people would not like it.
@@JH-dr4xoImagine if Ween didn’t do drugs and were a little more witty and nerdy and you’d have approximately TMBG. They have a zany energy and write short, hooky songs but there is a lot of wit and often darkness if you dig deeper. Check out You’ll need a crane or Kiss me son of god on this album and read the lyrics. All that said they are an acquired taste and a lot of people can’t get past the vocal style and weirdness, and I personally found Lincoln difficult to get into at first. If you want to try to get into them I would start with their hits to get a feel for their sound before digging into full album plays.
@@JH-dr4xo I couldn't get into this album when I first listened to it as well and idk if this helps but I went and listened to their self titled and their style clicked for me then. Maybe just jump around their discography. You're bound to find something that will click but I think it's hard at first because they're so unrelentingly brash and strange and word-salady. They make funny and silly songs but then you could easily find some sort of personal meaning out of them if you so wish.
Great review, I fucking love this album. I think one thing thats not mentioned as directly here is just how fantastic TMBGs melody writing is. They know every pop melodic trick in the book and mash things together in the most novel and musical ways. So many sophisticated and catchy melodic structures fly by in a blink without a lick of pretension
Where Your Eyes Don't Go is a great example of this. It samples the melodies of both Someone's in the Kitchen With Dina and the Perry Mason theme song but you can barely tell just because of how slick it is
@@floridaflamingogirl3119 I didn't know about the Perry Mason bit, but I do now! Either way Where Your Eyes Don't Go bangs. I was gonna list specific songs (like this one) in my main comment but I figure I was being tryhard enough already 🌝
Oh man this video is such a treat for me. A fan since the mid 90’s and a few months ago I decided to start a newsletter on Substack where each week, I will write about every song by They Might Giants. It’s called “Kiss Me, Son of Blog.” Named for my favorite track. I begin writing about Lincoln in 2 weeks. It’s more about my memories first listens, what was going on in my life, and interpretations of each song. Less critical music theory. Your review is spot on.
@@gabrielhicks8043 I agree! I was listening to "Book" the other day and realized that "Brontosaurus" is possibly this decade's "Birdhouse". IMO it's Linnell's most brilliant tune in years.
@@Eldoraan I think of it as a sequel to Dr. Worm, where Dr. Worm is middle-aged, burnt-out, and cynical now. They even have a similar bass guitar solo.
The way the guitar and accordion mesh on the opening riff of Ana Ng - for me at least - is one of those 'what on earth is that?' moments. Outside of Pirate and Folk metal you just don't hear this sort of thing.
I'm not a Fantano fanboy but the second I found out he was a TMBG fan I have been dying for a review because its so nice hearing the band get mentioned anywhere
First band I ever listened to and I still go see them live whenever they're in town for me. My tastes have grown and changed far, far away from TMBG, but they're always in my heart. I can go back and listen through any of their albums and feel much more like myself by the end of it.
Last concert I've been to was a double set by them back in 2016 (I don't get out much) when they said it might be their last tour. That was a lie. The show was amazing though, and was capped off with Cinci-style coney dogs and Evil Dead 2. Perfect night.
@@chiarosuburekeni9325I addition to what others have posted TMBG also had 2 songs featured on Tiny Toons Adventures in the 90s (“Particle Man” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople”)
Their album "Here Comes Science" is so good. I bought it for my nephews when they were little and they loved it. Singing along with it -- "Science is REEEEAAAALLLL!!" -- and enjoying the animated videos with each song.
and I've Got A Match!!! like look at me and tell me "i've got a match: your embrace and my collapse" isn't one of the most snarkily devastating lyrics you've ever heard
I took a deep dive on these guys last year since I had tickets to see them and Sparks at the Hollywood Bowl. They’re phenomenal. One of the funnest deep dives I’ve taken on a band
So so so thankful you do these every year. Coming back to this video almost six months later just to say THIS VIDEO HAS CHANGED MY LIFE. I’m now completely obsessed with this album and their early out put going on months now. Lincoln has become an all time favorite of mine. Thank you so much for introducing this album to me.
Was aware of TMBG for years because of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" and I had listened to Flood a year or two ago in the background. I listened to Lincoln literally yesterday for the first time after Melon sang the hook from "Kiss Me, Son Of God" on one of the Let's Argues. Best decision ever to listen to this.
There is an alternative version of Kiss Me, Son of God on their Misc T album that I love even more. I believe that “alternate” version is their originally preferred version but wanted to try something new for Lincoln. It’s stripped down and fantastic.
I've seen them live a couple times. Something I enjoyed the most was how clear it was that they've been performing for decades and they LOVE it. They're having as much fun on stage as the audience is. They're totally worth seeing live
Please do a classic review of XTC - Skylarking. An 80s pop concept masterpiece. Produced by Todd Rundgren, performance art at its most accessible level.
not sure if it counts as a classic but you gotta review Who Will Cut Out Hair When We're Gone - The Unicorns. This album deserves so much more recognition
For anyone new or unexperienced with TMBG, find their Dial-a-Song compilation. It's the perfect starting point to their body of work. I absolutely wore out mine as a kid.
Absolutely hilarious, I literally maybe 2 weeks ago or so have become absolutely obsessed with this album, so fucking good my lord. Thank you based melon for reviewing indie unknown artists!!!!
Early TMBG is a fantastic specimen of a band that takes the bold route and makes songs out of whatever unusual instruments and sounds appeal to their ears. For example, "Lie Still Little Bottle" is basically a stomp/clap performance art piece, "Stand On Your Own Head" is constructed out of scrappy banjo strumming, etc.
Picked up the vinyl due to this review. I was blown away by it. I can't get it off the turntable. So good. Lincoln rules! I just ordered more TMBG vinyl. Thank you for reviewing this!
According to Spotify, TMBG was my most listened to artist throughout the 2010s, so I was bound to love this review. I love that they keep recording fantastic music
Utter disbelief to see you choose this album. I’ve been obsessed with it lately, and I think it really is a masterpiece, even though it’s overshadowed by flood. Every deep cut is hilarious and brilliant, especially my favorite Where Your Eyes Don’t Go
I think this is the first time on a Fantano video where I haven't seen rehashed garbage meme jokes anywhere within the first few dozen top comments. The power of TMBG has vanquished the brainless horde.
Not sure what i was expecting for classic reviews, but it CERTAINLY was not TMBG. Awesome review melon, love to see it. Does this mean youre also a Homestar Runner fan? Can we get a Strong Bad Sings review for classics week?
They Might Be Giants seem to pop up everywhere, I only found out this year that they wrote Dr. Evil, the song that plays in the credits of Austin Powers 2!
They Might Be Giants might be one of my favorite duos in rock ever, their sound is just so smooth and their lyrics can be so in depth. And their singing style can be so unique which just makes is just thr cherry on top.
Lincoln works so freaking well as an album. It's like its own type of music. Just this amazing blend of surrealness, humor and depression that somehow all fits together.
I’m sorry this is totally unrelated but can you do a Mahavishnu Orchestra album for one of your classics next year? The world would benefit by you turning more people onto them if you’re so inclined. Any of their albums will do pretty much. I’ll try to remind you later in the year. Thank you for being the deservedly renowned reviewer that you are ❤️
I used to listen to this & their debut obsessively. I think the uncanniness and eeriness in those first two albums is haunting and hypnotizing. & their talent for melodies (Linnell especially) is super underrated. I think TMBG hit another mid-career peak with the 2011 album Join Us. That album - and the first half of their next album Nanboots - is almost all bangers.
Join Us is a perfect blend of playfulness and sophistication. Canajoharie is a perfect power pop track and one of Linnell's best. And it's a song about wishing you could see aliens again. Just magic.
I've known this band from making that awesome "Courage The Cowardly Dog" song that used to play in CN back in the day, and I never really gave them a second thought until a few years ago when (funnily enough) Melon sang some lyrics from "Kiss Me Son Of God" at the end of one of his Let's Argue videos - and that led me to finally check out this album. Great record, and def influential.
I’ll admit it, you look good in shorts Anthony, but I haven’t agreed with a lot of your musical takes in the past. I do however appreciate you talking about one of my top 3 bands of all time and giving them more exposure
TMBG super fan here since my middle school computer teacher had The Mesopotamians on his playlist for class, I would do a fair bit to see you appreciate my favorite album of theirs' Apollo 18. But i would love to have you take a look at their whole discography as like a stream or a long form review. Their history in that early alt scene, late 90s punk scene, and surprisingly good children's albums with insane lyricism of the modern day alt cynic they've grown to be over the decades
I heard anthony humming the closer of the album Kiss me son of God in a "Let's argue" episode and looked up the album then. Its now probably one of my favourite albums of all time. Thanks Melon
Great review overall. Often seems like he misses one important thing in a lot of his reviews, and in this case it pertains to his assertion that TMBG is not "replicable". It's sort of his explanation for why you might not feel their broader influence in music. I think there is one area in particular they have been quite influential, and it's sort of the one thing you want to explain to people who aren't familiar with their music. Which is that the cornerstone of their style is to pair quirky, upbeat melodies with some of the darkest lyrics. Yes some of the things they are saying are obtuse, but even the most cryptically surreal lines often deliver dark imagery, like a confusing bad dream. Although few bands are outright derivative of TMBG in their approach (Cheekface is in the ballpark), I think this notion of the sugar coated bitter pill has become an alt rock trope and they should get some credit (or blame?) for it.
Ever since hearing mammals from the "Hot Hits : Adventurous New Music Sampler" that came with my Sega CD" I have been a huge fan of TMBG. My friend and I listened to this song on repeat way past any semblance of sanity.
It's time for my semi-annual TMBG kick, and I love that you did a review of a 36-year-old album that still sounds fresh today. Lincoln is hands-down my favorite of theirs. Timeless.
This was an album I listened to a lot in my childhood. My dad had this album, Apollo 18, and Flood on cassettes and CDs and I always loved Apollo 18 the most of the three (and probably still do, TBH), but Lincoln always holds a special place in my heart and I’m always discovering new oddities about it. I recently stopped to actually listen to the lyrics on all the tracks and the fact “They’ll Need A Crane” is one of the most heart rending breakup songs ever is not something my childhood self would have predicted.
I’ve been back and forth on whether Lincoln, Flood or Pink is my favorite TMBG album but the fact that all 3 of those consistently rank in my top 20 albums ever is a testament to how TMBG are some of the most amazing pop musicians ever.
God have I ever given this album a listen. Thanks for giving the Johns such credit for just always being themselves. In that sense, it's always been a music of inclusivity even if it's not explicitly stated. I meet so many wildly varied fans of TMBG and it really is a credit to them just perpetually appealing to anyone who keeps their sort of 'inner child' or naivety alive.
I love this album so much. It's easily in my Top 5 albums from the 80s. Also, I once worked out an arrangement of Kiss Me, Son of God on my lap steel guitar.
"The yellow Roosevelt Avenue leaf overturned The ardor of arboreality is an adventure We have spurned, we've spurned. A new leaf overturned. It's a new leaf overturned"
