My Review of Long Tall Weekend

This album, by They Might Be Giants (TMBG), has been hailed as the first-ever MP3-only release. The question as to whether or not this format is a good idea is one that can spark much debate, and also one that I don't want to get into at the moment. Suffice it to say that it's a clever way of releasing songs that might otherwise have never made it to the public. These songs are:

Drinking

This is an instrumental, and is somewhat reminiscent of Their earlier song "Siftin'". It's a neat way to start the album; I prefer having an opening theme of sorts to starting an album with the song that's supposed to be a "hit" (not that Long Tall Weekend really has any of those).

She Thinks She's Edith Head

The amusing story of a girl who thinks she's someone else is told over a very simple but catchy tune. The song has some interesting effects, including the use of monoaural vocals.

Maybe I Know

This song was originally recorded by Lesley Gore, but the Johns changed the gender-specific pronouns. As is the case with many songs covered by TMBG, this one has a theme of delusion, making it quite appropriate for a band called They Might Be Giants.

Rat Patrol

It's a somewhat over-the-top (for the Johns, anyway) "acid rock" kind of song, with heavy electric guitar. I generally don't care too much for this style of music, but John Linnell's voice helps to make this number fun. It lacks some of the charm of the original a cappella version, though, such as an incomparable pair of lines: "Floorboards creak and footsteps heard/Floorboards creak and footsteps heard." To use a tired cliche, they don't write 'em like that anymore, do they?

Token Back To Brooklyn

What I can't really understand is why this is on here. It was already released, and not just as an EP B-side or something, but as the hidden track on Their last major studio release. That aside, however, this is a good, if short, song, with creepy, dreamlike lyrics.

Older

The Johns once said that They wouldn't release this song, and would only play it for live performances, but They apparently changed Their minds (which is a good thing, considering how few concerts I attend). This is a simple song, even for TMBG, but that's sort of the point.

Operators Are Standing By

It's a cute little song, but there really isn't much else to say about it.

Dark And Metric

This was a good choice for this album, as it would have been a bit of an odd choice for a regular studio production, but is certainly worth listening to. The clever lyrics, which often border on being nonsensical (except to John Linnell, perhaps), include a clever line that seems to be a favourite among fans: "Just because you're floating doesn't mean you haven't drowned."

Reprehensible

This is one of the best-arranged TMBG songs, with an old-timey, jazzy sound to it. The lyrics are also well-done, with a slick style that complements the music.

Certain People I Could Name

It's a nice companion piece to "Reprehensible." Both songs were recorded for Factory Showroom, but rejected. Also, both of them have clever arrangements and lyrics, which flow quite well.

Counterfeit Faker

It might have a similar name to a bonus track on Then, but the arrangement is considerably different. It's a country number, and, like "Rat Patrol," John (but Flansburgh this time, instead of Linnell) provides an amusing interpretation of the vocals that are normally associated with this sort of song.

They Got Lost

If you've heard the version of this song on Severe Tire Damage, this track doesn't have all that much new to offer you, aside from a much slower pace, and different band members. In some ways, however, this is a better production than the other version, which sounds a bit rushed. As for the lyrics, they're the sort that are amusing the first time you hear them, but don't really stand up to the proverbial test of time all that well.

Lullaby To Nightmares

This song, which appropriately appears here as the thirteenth track, was originally performed by John Flansburgh's Hello the Band (sort of an early incarnation of Mono Puff), with vocals by Joshua Fried. Josh's take on the song was more nightmarish, and sounded more like a lullaby. In the Long Tall Weekend version, the lyrics don't really match the music. I'll leave it to you to decide whether this is a good or a bad thing.

On Earth My Nina

Perhaps the oddest track on the album (and that's saying quite a bit when the album in question is a TMBG one), it's basically a reversed version of "Thunderbird," but the lyrics still make sense, in a strange kind of way. The effect produced is interesting and haunting.

The Edison Museum

The lyrics provide an interesting perspective on the title attraction, making it seem like a sort of haunted house. Nick Hill does a great job of singing it, with an emphatic, enthusiastic voice.

TMBG is one of those bands that seems to attract completists. For people who fall into this category, and have the ability to play MP3 files, this album is a good way to hear some rare songs. It's rather short, but it's also fairly cheap, so that's not much of a problem. I wouldn't really recommend it as an introduction to the band, though; most of this stuff is pretty far from the mainstream (not that that's a bad thing, but it might disturb first-time listeners).

Return to my music page
Return to my homepage