They Might Be Giants, "Join Us"

[mmcirvin]

After a long period in which their canonical albums (even the ones for grownups) usually seemed to have more conventional rock material in them than their podcast and ancillary stuff, TMBG have put out an unquestionably weird studio album. I'm going to have to spend more time wrapping my head around it to even figure out what my favorite songs are, though I do like the incomprehensible "Cloisonné", the chipper expression of rage "When Will You Die", and "The Lady And The Tiger", in which the lady and the tiger discuss whether it'd be better for them both to just get out of there.

Flansburgh's been comparing Join Us to their earliest work, the Pink Album and Lincoln, and the weirdness is certainly comparable. It's not quite the same, I think just because these guys are in their early fifties now and not writing quite the same kinds of songs a couple of kids would. But it's got the relatively spare arrangements and incongruous musical elements combined with huge quantities of baffling, sometimes hilarious lyrics. I think what it actually reminds me of most is John Linnell's solo album State Songs.

Comments

[jwgh]

If you look at the last page you'll see a list of Instant Fan Club members, including me. My name in lights!

You will also see some people who are not super great at following instructions.

Here are some Q&As of possible note from tmbg's secret tumblr page:

giannidubya asked: Join Us is really strong; the inventive arrangements are full of welcome surprises, and lyrically speaking it's nice to have you fine fellows back from "family" land. Specifically, Canajoharie gives me goosebumps. Is it okay to get emotional when listening to TMBG?

Flansburgh responds: Of course. EMOTIONS.

opticalhopscotch asked: What are the lyrics to the backing vocals in "Judy Is Your Viet Nam"?

Flansburgh responds: It’s a christmas song. Forget how it goes!

masonshelby asked: 'Join Us' feels almost like the spiritual successor to No!. Many of the songs are so experimental, structurally, that it almost feels like a super polished collection of b-sides or Dial-a-Song nuggets (in a good way) rather than a traditional pop album. Challenging, rocking, thought provoking... a new classic. Thanks for not being the Rolling Stones! See ya in DC!

Flansburgh responds: It’s like our third first album.

[mmcirvin.livejournal.com]

I found myself singing along to the chorus on "Canajoharie" in the car. Turns out the place is both Johns' vacation home. Again, something they probably wouldn't have been able to reference 25 years ago.

Also I think "Protagonist" is one of Flans's most ingenious jilted-guy songs.