The full band certainly did not spell Their demise (John Henry - They Might Be Giants)

Member Name: Wezzo

Product:	John Henry - They Might Be Giants
Date:	15/07/07 (53 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some of TMBG's finest songs of all-time, high track count

Disadvantages: A few weaker tracks amongst the gems

They Might Be Giants' first album with a full band, "John Henry" was met with mixed opinions upon its release and continues to divide fans to this day; many fans felt the Giants had compromised their unique, quirky two-man-band roots by getting other musicians in on the act too. I'm happy to report that while there is a change in tone, it is largely for the better and helps to make this the band's most listenable - not to mention their most polished - album to date.

The LP kick-starts with the superb upbeat triumvirate of "Subliminal", "Snail Shell" and "Sleeping In the Flowers". The former remains one of TMBG's most beloved fan favourites today, and serves as immediate reassurance that while they may now have a full band they will not compromise on their quirkiness: it features a section played backwards and tells, in the Giants' trademark abstract manner, of flying through a windshield. This is not your everyday rock band.

"Snail Shell" is a funky, obtuse tune that repeatedly reiterates a "thank-you for putting me back in my snail shell", while "Sleeping In The Flowers" uses a beautiful horn section to contrast grunge-like verses with a light-hearted frothy chorus.

The album's only out-and-out ballad follows next, "Unrelated Thing". I've never been the biggest fan of TMBG ballads ("I've Got A Match" remains the only time they've pulled it off perfectly, IMO) but this is an enjoyable enough tune that leads nicely into a series of more upbeat tracks.

"AKA Driver" is next. The lyrics actually state "NyQuil Driver" but presumably there were legal issues with including the brand-name of the medicine in the title. It's a solid rock-out tune nonetheless.

"I Should Be Allowed To Think" follows, certainly one of TMBG's all-time career greats, and the first real example of how effectively the full band can complement the two Johns. Told from the point of view of an angst-ridden teenager, TMBG sing of he who believes "I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea if by random whim one occurs to me.. I should be allowed to think". It even quotes the superb Allen Ginsberg poem "Howl" in its opening lines: "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical". It's a standout lyric complemented by the fresh, full-sounding band's upbeat melody.

Next up is "Extra Savoir-Faire", a slow-paced track that tells of a man who wonders what to do with all his "extra savoir-faire" (that'll be "extra know-how" to you and me). At times it feels almost autobiographical - there's no denying the Johns' wit and turns of phrase have a habit of going over the heads of some - but it's among the more forgettable tunes on the album.

The Alice Cooper-referencing "Why Must I Be Sad?" is up next. It's one of the album's stronger tracks and has one of the catchiest rhythms on the album - perfect iPod shuffle material. "Spy" follows, a weaker track largely comprised of a jazzy instrumental that goes nowhere. It's not as poor as the next track, "O Do Not Forsake Me", however, which should really be written off as a failed experiment in which a deep, low voice sing-talks over mind-numbing, almost-non-existant backing music. Even the lyrics don't make up for it.

Things are back in full swing after this however, with the album's second standout triumvirate of "No-One Knows My Plan", "Dit Bike" and "Destination Moon". All three are catchy, witty and supremely quirky - everything a TMBG song should be - and "Destination Moon" is another that ranks in the very top tier of the TMBG canon, while "No-One Knows My Plan" is as hummable and joyful as any track they ever penned.

"A Self Called Nowhere" is another fine example of the quiet-verse-loud-chorus mechanic TMBG pull off expertly so often. It's as enjoyable as it is obtuse (very, then). 1:30 stopgap "Meet James Ensor" follows, an irresistible ode to Belgian expressionist painter James Ensor - it's as good a 90-second song as has ever been written.

A couple of inanimate object-themed tracks follow: "Thermostat" and "Window". The Giants sing about the thermostat with almost concerning detail - thankfully it makes for a good song, while 60-second interlude "Window" is another solid entry.

"Out of Jail" is next up; a surprisingly enjoyable tune that unsurprisingly deals with release from jail, referncing Springsteen along the way (Opening line "Long before the screen door slams" has more than a trace of "Thunder Road"'s opening line "The screen door slams" about it). "Stomp Box" follows, a largely unremarkable number, but the final track, "The End of the Tour" is a real treat and rivals "Birdhouse In Your Soul" for the band's best song. It tells of a car crash from the point of view of a car with the irascible wit and surprisingly poignant emotion only the Giants can deliver. It's a fantastic end to a brilliant album.

At twenty tracks and 57 minutes long, you can be sure that you're really getting bang for your CD buck here, even if you don't enjoy every single track (and considering he range of what's being offered here, it would be a miracle if you did).

Packaged in a standard CD jewel case, the CD contains a booklet which features lyrics to every song except "AKA Driver" - presumably due to the aforementioned legal reasons - and the random, seemingly purposeless snapshots TMBG fans will by now be used to (one such photo features children holding a sign that proclaims "We Hate They Might Be Giants" - proof, as if it were needed, that the Giants are no ordinary rock band).

Highly recommended, especially as it can now easily be found for less than £5/USD10 online.

Summary: Standout material recommended to any alternative rock fan