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They Might Be Giants Make a Classic TMBG Record with 'I Like Fun'

TMBG's 20th album mixes catchy power pop with strange lyrics and the occasional unusual instrumentation. This formula is still effective, even after 35 years.

                                      
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TMBG's 20th album mixes catchy power pop with strange lyrics and the occasional unusual instrumentation. This formula is still effective, even after 35 years.

The best punk, post-punk, new wave, college rock, underground, modern rock, goth, industrial, new romantic, ska, power pop, hardcore, and indie rock of the '80s.

They Might Be Giants seem to have a very good grasp on what their best material is, and have included a whole bunch of it right here in this self-curated collection.

Cantrell expertly blends a host of influences, instruments, and styles into a brilliant country record. Her lovely voice is just the icing.

They Might Be Giants' never-ending cavalcade of songs and wry humor culminates with Nanobots, their 16th album. John Flansburgh walks us through the album's creation, their evolving songwriting process, and defend against the notion that some of their songs can be construed as mean-spirited.

As They Might Be Giants' first kid-friendly album turns 10 this year, Idlewild adorns No! with bonus tracks. Don't worry, you can stick with your old copy.

Weird was good at the seminal silly band's 30th anniversary gig.

Four years on from "Still Alive", Artificial Heart sees self-described "internet superstar" Jonathan Coulton at a critical crossroads in his career.

After the multiple Grammy wins and the numerous acclaimed children's albums, They Might Be Giants finally get back to making some good ol' fashioned alt-pop, and are here to tell PopMatters all about it ...

Join Us is the type of record, despite its titular invitation, that will be best enjoyed by the faithful, as opposed to those who are curious about the group and want a starting point to delve into.

A new EP foreshadowing new album.

Words and Pictures by Thomas Hauner

College rock stalwarts and They Might Be Giants pals come together for their sixth album of quirky pop, but don't have quite enough pizzazz to hit the next level.

I wanted to like The Else, even as I braced myself for the worst. You can't go home again.

John Linnell of TMBG reflects on 25 years of music-making, the joy of reading and eating at the same time, and the removal of Hillary Duff's soul in an expansive interview with PopMatters.

It takes real guts to remain decidedly immature after all these years. Even as John Linnell and John Flansburgh enter middle age, their skewed worldview remains firmly in place.

Twenty odd years on, the Two Johns are as vibrant as ever, and after having carved their own niche in music history, The Spine is bold for playing in the sandbox with TMBG's contemporaries rather than staying safely in the room they've created for themselves.

While Indestructible Object is pleasant but brief, these five tracks are not essential except perhaps to fans of They Might Be Giants who can't wait until the full-length CD is released later this year.