TMBG Discography Re-Dive In Preparation For TWITD 03/04

April 12th 2026

Today's Batch:

1. John Henry
2. Long Tall Weekend
3. No!
4. My Murdered Remains
5. Book

idk what the randomizer has against Glean lol.

John Henry (1994)

I think it's safe to say that this is my favorite They Might Be Giants album. I'm not really sure why, but all the songs on here are pretty damn great. There's not a single song on here that I would say is below an 8/10. 

There’s just so much on here I absolutely adore. To name a few, “Destination Moon” “Sleeping in the Flowers” “Self Called Nowhere” and just so, so many more. 

I know it’s a widely loved album, one of their more widely loved albums in fact, but still. 

This was their first album with a backing band, and some of the more traditional fans were not happy about that. I kinda get it, but still. It’s important to evolve and change your sound. For They Might Be Giants, that was adding a few extra members. 

Tony Maimone and Graham Maby on bass, Brian Doherty on drums, Kurt Hoffman on keyboards and saxophone. 

This lineup wouldn’t last long, though. Kurt Hoffman left in 1994, Tony Maimone left in 1995, Brian Doherty left in 1996, and Graham Maby left in 1997. I didn’t mention the lineup changes in the past reviews, so I’ll do that in these next few when and where it may be necessary. 

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Snail Shell, Sleeping in the Flowers, AKA Driver, I Should Be Allowed To Think, Why Must I Be Sad?, No One Knows My Plan, Destination Moon, Self Called Nowhere, Out of Jail, Stomp Box, The End of the Tour

Least Favorite Tracks: Unrelated Thing, Extra Savoir-Faire, O Do Not Forsake Me, Window

Long Tall Weekend (1999)

This was the first album to be released officially and exclusively online by a major band. That’s the only notable thing about it, though. Unfortunately, this album is kinda mediocre. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a few greats on here. I greatly enjoy “Reprehensible” “Dark and Metric” “Lullaby to Nightmares” and “Certain People I Could Name” but that’s about it. “They Got Lost” is alright too I guess. The Severe Tire Damage version is much better, though. “Older” and “She Thinks She’s Edith Head” are also on here. We’ll be seeing those again on Mink Car. Well, I already reviewed Mink Car so uh we won’t technically, lol. Factory Showroom’s hidden track “Token Back to Brooklyn” is also on here. “The Edison Museum” will appear later again on No, which I haven’t reviewed yet. “On Earth My Nina” is a backwards-talk rendition of “Thunderbird” from The Spine. 

There’s just not much to write home about here, and even the stuff that is to write home about is on other albums. I haven’t even mentioned the They Got Lost compilation, which has even more songs from this. 

Oh, yeah! The new lineup. Okay. 

John Flansburgh and Linnell are still here of course, in 1998 Dan Miller joined on guitar and keyboards is still with the band as of today, also in 1998 Danny Weinkauf joined and plays bass and keyboards and is also still with the band as of today. In 1997, Dan Hickey joined and plays drums. He left in 2003, though. So at this moment, it’s two guys named John and three guys named Dan. 

Other notable members include Eric Schermerhorn who played guitar on Factory Showroom, Jonathan Feinberg who played drums during the Apollo 18 tour, and Hal Cragin who played bass in live shows during 1997-1998. Eric is even named on the previously mentioned “They Got Lost” track, as well as Graham and Brian who were also still with the band at the time of the song's recording. 

The John Henry advertisement says “They Might Be Giants is six people with five names.” Well, now as of Long Tall Weekend it’s five people with two names. 

Anyways

6/10

Favorite Tracks: Certain People I Could Name, Lullaby to Nightmares

Least Favorite Tracks: Drinkin', Maybe I Know, Rat Patrol, Token Back to Brooklyn, Operators are Standing By, Counterfeit Faker, On Earth My Nina, The Edison Museum

No! (2002)

For a kids’ album, it’s pretty alright. I guess. I don’t really have much to say about it since I’m not really the target audience, and there will be four more albums like that. Around this time, however, the band started alternating between drummers, Dan Hickey and Marty Beller. Marty would end up replacing Hickey after he left in 2003 and has been with the band ever since. 

I mean, I would play it for my hypothetical kids. But of course I would. You really think Nora Meadow of all people wouldn’t raise her kids on They Might Be Giants? 

There’s some genuinely great stuff on here I think. “Violin” is pretty funny, “Where Do They Make Balloons” is actually just a great educational song, which is sung by Danny Weinkauf, by the way. 

That’s the interesting thing about their kids’ albums. Most of the songs on TMBG’s adult-oriented albums are written and sung by the Johns. With a few exceptions here and there. On the kids’ albums, songs from the other members are much more common. I find that pretty interesting, actually. That’s why in a way, I’m actually kinda looking forward to tomorrow’s kids’ album reviews. 

Other songs with Non-John vocals on here include: “In The Middle, In The Middle, In The Middle” sung by Robin Goldwasser, wife of John Flansburgh. This song is also a cover of a 1960s PSA. and “The Edison Museum” from Long Tall Weekend is back on here, sung by Nick Hill. 

Again, it’s usually only a couple songs on the album, but it’s much more common on the kids’ albums than it is the adult albums. Turns out I had more to say about it than I thought. Nice.

7/10

Favorite Tracks: Four of Two, Where Do They Make Balloons, Violin

Least Favorite Tracks: The Edison Museum, Wake Up Call

My Murdered Remains (2019)

It’s hard to call this a full album, it feels more like the B-Sides to I Like Fun. In fact, this album even has its own B-Sides called “More Murdered Remains.” I did not check that one out because that’s 16 more tracks I have to review. There’s some pretty good stuff on here regardless. “The Communists Have The Music” is probably the most well known song here. But there’s also “The Neck Rolls Aren’t Working” “I’ve Been Seeing Things” “Gudetama’s Busy Days” and the original version of “Last Wave.” I do not like the original version of Last Wave. Also on “Dog” Linnell says “smiling friend.” I find this funny because Smiling Friends is ending today. Rest in Peace. 

7/10

Favorite Tracks: The Communists Have The Music, The Neck Rolls Aren't Working

Least Favorite Tracks: Selectionist, Last Wave (Alt.)

Book (2021)

TMBG’s latest album, until TWITD releases, and uh. I liked this one a bit at first, but honestly now I find myself largely unimpressed. I’m not saying they’ve lost their touch, there’s still some absolute bangers on here! I love “I Lost Thursday” “Brontosaurus” “Less Than One” “Super Cool” “Synopsis For Latecomers” and others. 

Half of this album was recorded in 2020, during the pandemic. Such as “Quit the Circus” “Darling the Dose” and “Wait Actually Yeah No”

A lot of songs were released as singles, such as “Part of You Wants to Believe Me” “I Broke My Own Rule” and “I Can’t Remember the Dream”

There’s also the Pamphlet EP, containing outtakes, which I haven’t listened to. 

I think it’s just kinda okay. Again, I definitely think The World is to Dig is going to be much better, but I’m just not super into this one. Don’t get mad please.

7/10

Favorite Tracks: Brontosaurus, I Lost Thursday, Less Than One 

Least Favorite Tracks: Moonbeam Rays, I Broke My Own Rule, Drown the Clown, Wait Actually Yeah No

Song of the Day: They Might Be Giants - AKA Driver

One thing I forgot to mention in my review is the amount of songs about car crashes or car accidents or reckless driving. I've always wondered what's up with that.

The World is to Dig in 2 days!

TMBG Discography Re-Dive In Preparation For TWITD 02/04

April 11th 2026

Today's Batch:

1. Apollo 18
2. Factory Showroom
3. Mink Car
4. The Else
5. Nanobots
6. Phone Power

I chose these randomly, still no John Henry :(

Anyways!

Apollo 18 (1992)

Let’s address the elephant in the room. This might be one of the only albums meant to be listened to on shuffle. Unfortunately, the gimmick is absent on the streaming versions. I kinda get why, but it’s unfortunate nonetheless. “Fingertips” is a collection of 21 songs and the album was meant to be played on shuffle and have these play in between the full songs. It’s a very cool concept, and they try something like this again on a later album but not as cool. 

The album itself is great! I love songs like “The Statue Got Me High” and “I Palindrome I” among many, many others. I think the low points are “Hypnotist of Ladies” and as funny as it is, “Spider” as well. Sorry.

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Dig My Grave, I Palindrome I, The Statue Got Me High, The Guitar, Dinner Bell, See the Constellation, Space Suit

Least Favorite Tracks: Spider, Hypnotist of Ladies

Factory Showroom (1996)

The shortest album yet from the Johns. Also their last with Elektra. There’s still some bangers on here for sure. “Pet Name” is a personal favorite of mine. “S-E-X-X-Y” gets a lot of hate, but I love it. 

There’s still a bit of fluff on here, for sure. “Exquisite Dead Guy” kinda exists. I also like “I Can Hear You” and “The Bells Are Ringing” but they could’ve done more with these. 

Like I could’ve done more with this review >:3

i love pet name so much dude omfg

9/10

Favorite Tracks: S-E-X-X-Y, Till My Head Falls Off, How Can I Sing Like a Girl?, Spiraling Shape, Pet Name

Least Favorite Tracks: Exquisite Dead Guy

Mink Car (2001)

You’re all wrong about this album and I’m not afraid to say it. This album is not bad, in fact the only bad song on here is “I’ve Got a Fang.” Yep. “Mr. Xcitement” is good. I’m not familiar with Soul Coughing and I didn’t know Mike Doughty was the guy from Soul Coughing for five years until my friend Liz told me today. Maybe I’ll check out Soul Coughing once I’m done with these albums.

Also yes this album released on 9/11 I feel like if I don’t mention it some of y’all might yell at me.

Other favorites of mine from this album include “Wicked Little Critta” “Another First Kiss” “Man It’s So Loud In Here” “Yeh Yeh” “My Man” “Cyclops Rock” “Bangs” and “Drink” 

I have a lot of favorites as you can see, I feel very strongly about this album. 

I do want to bring up “My Man” in particular because holy shit it might be the darkest and most depressing song They Might Be Giants have ever written. 

I don’t really have much else to say. How can you hate an album that has the Malcolm in the Middle theme song as a bonus track? Had to mention that too lest I get yelled at for that.

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Bangs, Cyclops Rock, Man It's So Loud In Here, Mr. Xcitement, Another First Kiss, Yeh Yeh, Drink!, My Man, Wicked Little Critta

Least Favorite Tracks: I've Got a Fang

The Else (2007)

For a while this was my favorite They Might Be Giants album, and honestly for good reason. 

It’s definitely the most concise album I feel. Unfortunately it’s also their first to not have any accordion. They did a very good job without it, though. 

I have a lot of favorites from this album. The three that take the cake however have to be “Bee of the Bird of the Moth” “With the Dark” and “Careful What You Pack.” I’m not sure what it is about these three, I just absolutely adore them. 

I don’t think there’s a song below an 8/10 on this thing, but the 8/10 songs imo are “The Cap’m” “The Mesopotamians” “Upside Down Frown” and “Feign Amnesia” 

I’m not sure if calling them my least favorite would be right because I still think they’re pretty damn good. By definition they technically are but idk man. 

10/10

Favorite Tracks: I'm Impressed, Climbing the Walls, Careful What You Pack, With the Dark, Bee of the Bird of the Moth, Withered Hope

Least Favorite Tracks: Upside Down Frown, The Cap'm, Feign Amnesia, The Mesopotamians

Nanobots (2013)

There’s a lot going on with this one. I adore “Stuff is Way” “Call You Mom” “You’re On Fire” “Icky” and “Stone Cold Coup D'état.” However, this album is also a bit of a mess. Many short songs that play throughout the longer ones. It feels like they tried to do Fingertips again but it doesn’t hit the same in my opinion. 

It’s not a bad album by any means, though. Much of the actual material on here is pretty enjoyable. At least I think so. “Sleep” however actually makes me uncomfortable for reasons I can’t quite put into words.

8/10

Favorite Tracks: You're On Fire, Call You Mom, Stone Cold Coup D'état, Stuff is Way, Icky

Least Favorite Tracks: Sleep, Destroy the Past, Hive Mind, Decision Makers, Nouns, There, Tick

Phone Power (2016)

All of these songs originate from the 2015 incarnation of “Dial-A-Song.” Hence the name. It’s the same with their previous album Glean. Unfortunately for Phone Power, Glean got most of the better songs while Phone Power got the leftovers. That’s not to say there aren’t some bangers on here. “I Am Alone” was one of the first 2010s era TMBG songs I ever heard and I instantly fell in love. “Apophenia” is also pretty damn good. Of course, I have to mention “ECNALUBMA” and “I Love You For Psychological Reasons” those two are also pretty damn great. 

That being said, there’s a lot of stuff on here that doesn’t hit in my opinion. “Shape Shifter” and “What Did I Do To You?” were originally some of my favorites but looking back I’m not sure what I heard in them that made me like them that much. “Got Getting Up So Down” and “I Wasn’t Listening” are very whatever. “I’ll Be Haunting You” is easily my least favorite on here, though. Sorry.

It’s not a bad album by any means, but it’s definitely one of TMBG’s weaker projects in my humble opinion. 

7/10

Favorite Tracks: Apophenia, I Am Alone

Least Favorite Tracks: I'll Be Haunting You, Got Getting Up So Down, I Wasn't Listening

Song of the Day: They Might Be Giants - The Statue Got Me High

I love this one so much, easily my favorite from Apollo. 

The World is to Dig in 3 days!

TMBG Discography Re-Dive In Preparation For TWITD 01/04

April 10th 2026

Today is day 100 of 2026, it's also four days until They Might Be Giants release their much anticipated 24th album, The World is to Dig! They Might Be Giants is my favorite band of all time, as anyone who knows me would know. In preparation for this new album, I've decided to revisit every album of theirs over the next few days. 

The albums I have chosen today are the following:

1. They Might Be Giants
2. Lincoln
3. Flood
4. The Spine
5. Join Us
6. I Like Fun

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Nora, why wouldn't you just do all the albums in order?" This is more fun for me, personally. You're also probably thinking "You can't write six decent reviews in one day!" and to that I say, You're right. I know this. However, I am a madwoman and I am going to try anyway.

Let's begin, shall we?

They Might Be Giants (1986)

From the very beginning, John Flansburgh and John Linnell have made it clear they weren’t afraid to get a little silly with it. They weren't the first band to get silly with it. Hell, even The Beatles did at times, but They Might Be Giants made it their identity. For starters, the art for this very album was drawn by Rodney Alan Greenblat, who would go on to do the art for the video game Parappa the Rapper. They also came up with the strange concept of "Dial-A-Song," an answering machine set up in Flansburgh's apartment that would play a song as an outgoing message. It was a unique and silly way to get their demos out there. 

From the whimsical sound of “Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head” and “Don’t Let’s Start” to the haunting and almost melancholic “She’s An Angel” and “Hide Away Folk Family,” this album manages to maintain a childlike sound and aesthetic. Almost to a fault, there’s definitely some apparent low points here. “Chess Piece Face,” “Toddler Hiway” and “32 Footsteps” to name a few. I’d say the high points cancel out the low, in fact I think they almost add to the charm a bit. It all comes together to make an incredible debut. 

I think much of the amateur feel here comes from the lack of a backing band, just two Johns a drum machine, and some samples every now and then. Again, I find this to be more charming than detrimental personally. They wouldn’t have a backing band until John Henry, the lineup of which would change quite a bit. Indeed, we’ve got a long way to go until Beller, Miller, and Weinkauf. 

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head, Don't Let's Start, Rabid Child, Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes, She's an Angel, I Hope That I Get Old Before I Die, Alienation's For the Rich, Rhythm Section Want Ad

Least Favorite Tracks: Toddler Hiway, Chess Piece Face

Lincoln (1998)

The Johns’ sophomore effort is a bit more mature sounding, while still retaining Pink’s whimsical charm. I think it’s much more refined and polished, which is crazy because there’s only one less song on this damn thing. Some of the band’s most iconic, and most celebrated work is on here. “Ana Ng” “Purple Toupee” “Where Your Eyes Don’t Go” “The World’s Address” “They’ll Need a Crane” and “Kiss Me Son of God” just to name a few. When I start to think about it, I might actually like this one more than Pink. Crazy, I know!!! It’s definitely a fan favorite for a reason. 

There’s still no backing band yet, so we’re still treated to the lovely sound of that all so familiar drum machine here. Although much of the production is done on a Macintosh computer this go around. 

Despite Lincoln feeling much more concise than its predecessor, there’s still some pretty odd songs on here. “Cage & Aquarium” feels like there’s a second verse that’s just missing, “You’ll Miss Me” is considered one of the worst early TMBG songs, and while it’s definitely my least favorite here, it’s not bad. There’s also some very haunting bangers on here, such as “I’ve Got a Match” and “Kiss Me, Son of God.” Honestly, I think this or Flood might be one of their best albums to start with if you want to get a good taste of They Might Be Giants. 

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Ana Ng, Purple Toupee, Where Your Eyes Don't Go, The World's Address, I've Got A Match, They'll Need a Crane, Snowball In Hell, Kiss Me Son of God

Least Favorite Tracks: You'll Miss Me

Flood (1990)

It’s the one with “Birdhouse in Your Soul.” It’s the one with “Istanbul (Not Constantinople.)” It’s the one with “Particle Man.” Those are just the most well known songs, there’s 16 other bangers on here. Well, most of them are bangers. “Theme From Flood” serves as a good intro, and “Minimum Wage” is fine for what it is. It’s safe to say that Flood is their most beloved album for a reason. 

I don’t want to go on a whole tangent about “Birdhouse in Your Soul” but My God, what a song that is. I’d go as far as to call it a beautiful masterpiece. A perfect song, even.

There’s also songs that hit me deep and personally in my soul, like “Letterbox” and “Your Racist Friend,” because I unfortunately knew someone like that lol. 

Songs like “Whistling in the Dark” and “We Want a Rock” are so fun you almost forget that there’s a deeper meaning behind them. There are still songs on the slower and melancholic side though! “Road Movie to Berlin” and “Hearing Aid” for example. I also wanna bring up “Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love” because that’s one of my favorite songs ever.

Oh yeah, one more thing I almost forgot to mention! This is their first album with Elektra, and it kinda shows in their sound but not really? I dunno, it’s still just John and John but the album has much more of a “we just got signed to a bigger record label” sound to it.

Also for everyone who didn’t know that “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” was a cover, I’m sorry mwehehe. Just wait til you find out about New York City and Why Does the Sun Shine?

10/10

Favorite Tracks: Birdhouse in Your Soul, Lucky Ball & Chain, Istanbul (Not Constantinople), Your Racist Friend, We Want a Rock, Hearing Aid, Whistling in the Dark, Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, They Might Be Giants, Road Movie to Berlin

Least Favorite Tracks: Hot Cha, Minimum Wage, Theme From Flood

The Spine (2004)

Oh, hey! It’s the Homestar Runner album. Not really, the opener track “Experimental Film” has a Homestar Runner music video, but that’s it.

We’re skipping a bit forward in time here, weird I know. Like I said, this just makes things more fun for me. >:3 Anyways, we have a backing band now!

Dan Miller on guitar and keyboards, Danny Weinkauf on bass and keyboards, and Marty Beller on the drums! Those first two have been with the band since 1998, and Marty has been with them since 2002. 

This was their first album after their dip into children’s music, and it’s kinda clear on some of these songs. Not that that’s a bad thing. “Stalk of Wheat” just straight up sounds like a kids’ song and I could also see “Prevenge” being on a kids’ album of some sort.

There’s still some beautiful songs on here. I adore “Museum of Idiots” “Thunderbird” and the bonus track “Renew My Subscription.”

I also really love the more fun and upbeat songs. The loud and energetic “It’s Kickin’ In” and the infectious “Damn Good Times” which could put anybody in a good mood. 

Of course, there are some lows on here. “The World Before Later On” is kinda haunting but not very interesting honestly. “Bastard Wants To Hit Me” is one of the few TMBG songs I’d actually say I think is bad. Also, please don’t crucify me, but I really do not care for “Wearing a Raincoat.”

8/10

Favorite Tracks: Experimental Film, Museum of Idiots, It's Kickin In, Damn Good Times

Least Favorite Tracks: Bastard Wants to Hit Me

Join Us (2011)

Some people may disagree with me, and that’s okay. I don’t think They Might Be Giants have lost their touch. I definitely feel like they’re trying to adapt to more of a 2010s vibe and sound here, and I personally think it goes surprisingly well. 

In my opinion, “Cloisonné” “You Probably Get That A Lot” “Can’t Keep Johnny Down” “Celebration” and “When Will You Die?” best reflect what I mean. 

I understand why some people don’t like it, but personally I’m all for it. Maybe it’s because I was born in 2006, though.

One criticism I do see with not only this album but other TMBG albums is that it kinda dips in quality near the end. While I disagree on most of their other albums I’ve heard people say that about, I’ll have to agree here. “2082” “Three Might Be Duende” “You Don’t Like Me” and “Never Knew Love” are definitely not bad songs, but there’s a lot of better stuff on here. 

TMBG have always been good at adapting to the times, I think. Definitely not the mainstream sound of 2011, but let’s be real the mainstream sound of 2011 sucked. Thank God we don’t have a Stomp Clap Hey album from They Might Be Giants, right?

Not yet at least… fingers crossed it stays that way forever.

I will say, though. “Protagonist” sounds like something that would be on The Spine. Also everyone who hates on “Dog Walker” listen to Ween’s “Pure Guava” and get back to me please. 

9/10

Favorite Tracks: Can't Keep Johnny Down, You Probably Get That A Lot, Cloisonne, When Will You Die?, The Lady and The Tiger

Least Favorite Tracks: Judy Is Your Viet Nam

I Like Fun (2018)

Probably TMBG’s most political and bleak album yet. They Might Be Giants have never been afraid to get political, even popular songs like “Kiss Me Son of God” and “Your Racist Friend” from 3 decades before this make that very clear. However, those were just one song on one album. Nearly the entire album feels allegorical for the political climate at the time it was released, 2018. 

I won’t get into what 2018 was like for America, because I think everyone in and outside of the country knows. “Let’s Get This Over With” is a sentiment I feel like was very common with people on the left towards the administration of the time. 

Then there’s songs like “Lake Monsters” and “An Insult to the Fact Checkers” which I feel are very clear in their message. 

“Last Wave” believe it or not has nothing to do with the administration, rather it started as a bad lip reading of the music video for Aerosmith & Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way” that they decided to turn into its own song. 

There’s also quite a few songs on here that are very clearly about drugs of some kind. “McCafferty’s Bib” “I Like Fun” and maybe a case could be made for “When The Lights Come On?” Either way, it’s definitely their most outwardly dark album they’ve put out yet. In both sound and lyrics. I think most people understand that TMBG’s whole thing is silly sounding songs with dark lyrics (not always of course) and while many of these songs can be upbeat they still reflect this sort of hopelessness and bleakness that was going on at the time.

For that, I kinda love it! Might be my favorite TMBG album that isn’t a 10/10. A part of me wonders if The World is to Dig will be similar, but from what I’ve heard and read about it, Join Us would probably be a better comparison. Of course, that’s all subjective tbh, but the tracklist does have a couple references to Join Us. Sorry, I’m getting off topic. 

I Like Fun is great. If for some reason you want a “mature” and “dark” tmbg album, this is the best you’re gonna get. 

9/10

Favorite Tracks: Let's Get This Over With, Mrs. Bluebeard, Last Wave

Least Favorite Tracks: By The Time You Get This

Song of the Day: They Might Be Giants - Mrs. Bluebeard

Honestly, one of my favorite songs from this band to come out in the last 20 years. 

The World is To Dig in 4 days!