Friday, December 31, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 46

Today's song is...


Cabbagetown


Not a song I have ever paid much attention to. But listening to it again now, it does have lovely saxophone and accordion parts. But it's sad. Like, really a pretty major downer. Which probably explains why it's never been high on my list of favorites, because I don't tend to like the really dower tunes. But I do like that sax.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 45

Today's song is...


Man, It's So Loud In Here


This was bound to turn up sooner or later. Looks like it's sooner.

In case you have either a) not been following this blog for very long, or b) don't know me very well, this is, hands down, my very, very favorite TMBG song. I love absolutely everything about it, from it's impossible not to bounce around to dance beat, to it's incredibly manufactured rhythm track. The modified vocals at the beginning immediately make me grin. I love that it is essentially a song about not being able to talk in a nightclub because it is too loud. It has the humor and absurd subject matter that are what first attracted me to the band. And, in fact, this was one of the first songs I really loved at first listen. I remember vividly that I was sitting in the parking lot of a Target listening to it in the car. I think my boyfriend knew I was going to like the song because he made sure I was paying attention before he started it. Oh boy, was he right. There is something about the rhythm and melody and lyrics of a favorite song that gets you right in the core of your soul and creates an instant emotional response. This never fails to make me happy. The lyric "They revamped the airport completely, now it looks just like a nightclub, everyone's excited and confused" just makes me grin.

At the very top of my list of songs I would most like to hear live, you will find this song. My boyfriend has heard it twice, which makes me eternally jealous. But I missed out by several years since it was last played in 2003. If they ever decide to play it again, the screaming you will hear from the front of the stage as the song starts will be me. I will then probably spend about a minute holding my breath in shock and just starring at Linnell with a stupid grin on my face before I snap out of it and dance through the rest of the song. Then it will take all of my restraint not to fling my arms around the feet of the nearest band member in a hug of most profound gratitude. There might even be tears. You just wait and see if that isn't exactly how things play out. That is if they ever play the song again. Please?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

There's A Picture Opposite Me - 12/29/10

This week we have our first entry from John (aka jpreale). Thanks for getting in on the game, John, and what a great picture to start things off with. Enjoy!


POM2

"It's a new year, careful what you pack" - Careful What Your Pack - They Might Be Giants


Please send submissions to theroommustlistentome@gmail.com

Song of the Day - Day 44

Today's song is...


Words Are Like




"Words are like kaleidoscopes" is my favorite lyrics from this song. Other than that it never made much impression on me. But there is a picture of Flansburgh's cat at the end of that video, so that's cool.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 43

Today's song is...


Kids Are Different Now


This sounds remarkably like something I played in Rock Band recently, though I can't put my finger on what. I quite like it musically and the lyrics are entertaining. Not my absolute favorite of the Battle of the Bands tunes but it's up there. And have you talked to a kid recently? The song is right. They ARE different now.


P.S. Yes, I completely forgot Audience Participation yesterday. I'm going to do it later today. Sorry about that.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 42

Today's song is...


(Since You Joined) The Corporation


There is an element of this song that rings disturbingly true for me. And while I occasionally enjoy Flans' falsetto, this is a little too much falsetto for my taste.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 41

Today's song is...


It's Kickin' In


Terrible fan confession: I recently realized I have no idea what the words of this song are. Which is sad since, being someone who usually prefers Linnell's songs, this is one the Flansburg songs that I particularly enjoy. It has just been suggested that I need to listen to the song while reading the lyrics so that I can learn the words. This is not a half bad idea.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 40

Today's song is...


Christmas Cards
Merry Christmas to everyone out there in TMBG-land! Here's hoping you all have a safe and happy holiday where none of your Christmas cards are stolen :-)

Friday, December 24, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 39

Today's song is...


Triops Has Three Eyes





"Everything with eyes has some amount of eyes." Awww, this song is adorable as is the video. The scene with the little scientist hugging the tripods' leg? Awwww! And I like the Lil's Giants comic book. I would totally read that!

The other day I was shopping at Newbury Comics and saw a "grow your own triops" kit. Sort of like a sea monkey tank. Somebody is SO getting that for a present someday.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 38

Today's song is...


Turn Around


This song has some of the most fantastic imagery. I especially love the second verse and the idea of someone doing interpretive dance in a graveyard. Plus, how many songs do you know with "obsequious" in the lyrics?

The only downside is that they kept playing this on the spring tour when I wanted them to play Subliminal.  Linnell would go and pick up the accordion and I'd get my hopes up for a minute, then it would turn out to be this again. Not complaining. Just mildly disappointing.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

There's A Picture Opposite Me - 12/22/10

Sorry this one is so late. It has been a crazy day. This is from Jamie.


12/22/10

"You saw my injury, You can tell just by looking at my skull" - Contrecoup - They Might Be Giants


Please send submissions to theroommustlistentome@gmail.com

Song of the Day - Day 37

Today's song is...


Dirt Bike


A song I have no particular feelings about what so ever. It remains a song that my boyfriend has seen live and I haven't. And there was a drunk guy behind us at the Flood show in Albany who yelled requests for it repeatedly until Stacy got fed up and yelled at him that they were playing Flood. And I loved her forever for it :-) That's all I've got.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 36

Today's song is...



Robot Parade


Has anyone else seen that adorable YouTube video of the kids having the actual robot parade all dressed up as robots in cardboard box costumes and there is a dog in costume too? And this song is playing, of course. Wait, here is is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrkzLe5Eq1I. It's adorable.

I admit, I kind of prefer the adult version. At least live anyway. I like Flans doing the "boom shakalaka" part and yelling "give me a R, give me another R, give me another R, what does that spell?" "RRRRRR." But I did used to enjoy when they would close shows with the quiet version and Flans would go around saying "good night, Robot Marty, good night, Robot Dan, good night, Robot Danny, good night, Robot John" before they all left the stage. I think there was at least once they all mimed shutting down like robots as he said it. I hope I'm not making that up.

Monday, December 20, 2010

I Think I've Heard This One Before

They Might Be Giants have covered a lot of songs by other folks over the years. In-show features like Stump the Band and Spin the Dial contributed some memorable covers, many of which were documented in some form for us later generation fans to enjoy. And still more remakes have made it all the way to official recordings, including some pretty popular tracks for the band.

In today's Audience Participation you get to talk about your favorite TMBG covers (the band covering other bands, not other bands covering them - that's a whole other ball game). They can be live tracks or recorded tracks or whatever you want, as long as the tune wasn't written by TMBG.

I pulled up the TMBG Remakes page on the wiki to assist me in my selection process, to make sure I didn't forget about anything, and I think I found as many songs I would really have loved to have heard the band cover as songs I actually have heard (and if anyone can provide me with a recording of the band doing Baba O'Reilly I will be eternally grateful as the concept of my favorite band doing my favorite Who song kind of blows my mind).

But anyway, here is what I came up with.


Zilch - This is probably the only cover that isn't one of the usual suspects (Istanbul, NYC, WDTSS, Shooting Star, etc) that I have heard live A LOT. Actually, come to think of it, I was there the first time they did it. And it never fails to crack me up. The expression on Dan's face as he says "Never mind the furthermore, the plea is self defense" is priceless. When they execute this well it sounds like a speeding train at the end and when it bombs it sounds like a train wreck. I love it either way.

To All The Girls I've Loved Before - I have a recording of this but I've also seen it performed live once. By puppets. And it is that performance that earns it a place on this list. Because watching Linnell trying to play the keyboard with one hand and operate a sock puppet with the other and sing is an experience that deserves to be on any "best of" list.

You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - This is in one of my live show recordings in a Spin the Dial segment. Spin the Dial songs typically feature Flans on the vocals but on this one, Linnell enthusiastically joins him on the "Baby, baby" portion of the song with superb results. A+ boys.

Jessica - And we are back to the instrumentals again. One of my favorite things about the old Stump the Band recordings is hearing all the songs played on the accordion. This song benefits from that same thing. And I just like the melody.

Frankenstein - Rock! I've heard bits of this live as a puppet intro but I also have a whole batch of recordings of it and they all rock. Especially the ones with horns.

We've Got A World That Swings - I really like the lyrics to this song and Linnell's vocal performance is lovely. Plus, toy piano!

New York City - I actually really love the lyrics. "Now I walk through blizzards just to get us back together." At least among songs that I can immediately think of, this is the only out and out love song the band plays. But if I were to apply it to my own life, it wouldn't really be about a boy/girl relationship but rather about my relationship with the band. The majority of my trips to NYC in the last five years have been to see TMBG. "The best thing about New York City is you and me."

Savoy Truffle - We do not need to have a discussion about how good Linnell's voice sounds on this song do we? Didn't think so. Thus I don't need to explain why it's on the top of my list? Right. Good. Excellent. Thank you.

There. I don't know why there are eight songs on my list. I guess five was too few and ten too many. I look forward to seeing others selections.

Song of the Day - Day 35

Today's song is...


Dig My Grave


Short and wonderful. When played live this song sometimes achieves momentum akin to a runaway train. There is some great stuff going on in this little tune musically and I really enjoy it as an album starter. I think my favorite performance of it I've seen was it's surprise appearance in Asheville. After Linnell decided he was not yet vocally ready for West Viriginia, which was next on the setlist, and asked for a different song, Flans whipped this one out. I've also seen it done as the last song of the night, which is a little jarring because the song gets you all revved up for more and then, oh wait, the show is over.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 34

Today's song is...


I'm Just A Note


How appropriate. I was just watching the Home Movies episode. Well, the beginning of it anyway. This song is pretty adorable. Especially when paired with the visuals. Then it makes me laugh. And yet it actually does a pretty decent job of representing rudimentary music structure, in it's own way. Good job, junior counselors!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 33

Today's song is...


Token Back to Brooklyn


I wish I could say that my favorite memory of this song was of the band opening with it at the Factory Showroom show they did at Mohegan Sun a couple of years ago, but at the time I was too new a fan and completely unfamiliar with the song so the significance of the event passed right over my head. At least I can say I was there.

I like the drums. Drums good.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 32

Today's song is...


The Guitar


Believe it or not, I used to not care for this song overly much. It has definitely grown on me. A lot. Especially live. The live version is one of my favorite things ever. There is nothing like being in a crowd of people while this song is being played. The energy is through the roof.

I am still kind of so-so on the recorded version. I do like Laura Cantrell's voice. It adds a nice quality to the song. And, I am sorry to say, I think this is one of my least favorite videos. I just can't deal with the length of Linnell's hair. Very superficial of me but there it is.

But, oh my god, the live version! Just don't get me started on the waving.

If I remember later I'll add in one of the videos with one of Danny's kick ass bass solo's in it. Not to be missed.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 31

Today's song is...


What Am I Doing Hangin' Round?


I debated whether or not this should count, since it's a cover and not even one that the band has recorded or is well known for. It is the existence of THIS VIDEO that made me decide to go with it. Because the video is silly and entertaining and this gave me an excuse to link to it. I rather <3 the Quick Cam vids because they are basically just the Johns having fun with a video camera. And I like that Linnell is playing an organ in this one. It pleases me for some reason.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 30

Today's song is...


Meet James Ensor


My boyfriend and I have this long standing joke about the part of Gigantic where Ira Glass is talking about asking the Johns why they wrote about James Ensor and all they would say was "He's a really great painter." It dates back to the very first time we watched the movie together. It comes up every now and then and I still find it funny. Just something about that story really amuses me and I love the quote.

I found a book on James Ensor at work the other day, and while, as far as I could tell, it made no mention of the song, the title of the introduction was Meeting James Ensor so I feel quite certain the author was familiar with it.

I have heard this live a few times but I have to admit, I am much more amused by the recordings of performances of it without the band where the Johns replicate the little guitar part towards the end vocally. Cracks me up every time :-)

There's A Picture Opposite Me - 12/15/10

This is exciting! Today we have our first submission from Rebecca! Three cheers!


POM1

"In the corner of your eye, do you see that scribbled word?" - Now Is Strange - They Might Be Giants


Please send submissions to theroommustlistentome@gmail.com

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 29

Today's song is...


Letterbox


Ooo, one of my favorites. This is definitely in my top 25. This song as a whole has some of my favorite lyrics in the whole catalog. So much so that it is hard for me to pick out my favs. Oddly, I think my favorite line might be "'Cause a little bird never tells me anything I want to know, she's my best friend, she's a sparrow" and that has everything to do with the way the line sounds and very little to do with the meaning. I'm also quite fond of the bridge. This song is pretty much everything I love about Linnell's writing. The way the words flow together is just brilliant and it has a beautiful melody.

And going way, way back to one of my very first non-recap entries on this blog, the beat of silence in Letterbox is one of my most favorite things ever. When executed well it gives me chills. And when executed poorly it just makes me laugh. I have this great memory of them playing it at one of the Flood shows and getting into that silent moment and Dan Miller accidently twanging his guitar too soon. I am still laughing about it. He looked so sheepish.

I'll let some of the Flans fans out there gush about him harmonizing in falsetto.

Monday, December 13, 2010

This Song Is An Instrumental And Has No Lyrics

I had meant to do an Audience Participation on They Might Be Giants instrumentals ages ago and then I completely forgot. But since someone so kindly reminded me, here it is.

TMBW has 129 songs labeled as instrumentals. A quick pass through my iTunes turned up 30 and that wasn't counting any Mono Puff, House of Mayors, State Songs, live only tracks or any of the songs from Partly Cloudy Patriot, which all seem to make up a majority of the remainder of the 129 (and which, for the most part, are all also in my iTunes, I just skipped them). I also skipped a few things that were technically on the list because I considered them to have just a little bit too much vocal presence to be an instrumental. It seems to be a lot of theme songs and incidental music from Malcolm in the Middle that I am missing, for the most part.

So here follows my list of favorite instrumentals, which I declare to be accurate, as far as I know, because I have not actually heard all 129 songs, merely most of them.


Be Kind and Gentle - A short but rich little track from the McSweeney's album, also know as Budnitz #1 from Unlimited. It features lovely guitar instrumentation, an interesting keyboard part and a simple bass line to carry it from one end to the other. And it's got a nifty little ending.

Severe Tire Damage Theme - Horns! Yay, horns! It's so peppy. I wonder if I put this on my alarm clock if it would energize me when I wake up in the mornings?

Drinkin' - Wonderful sax and guitar parts. This has a very retro feel to it. And I enjoy songs with beats of silence for some reason.

Theme from McSweeney's - There is so much going on in this song. I really like the quote about it on the wiki about Linnell switching on to something with this song. That is so accurate. I would have loved to have seen the rest of the guys faces when he presented this to them. Hello. Wake up. Get your fingers movin'.

Too Cool Girls - This makes me want to swing dance. And I don't even know how to swing dance. Horns. Happy, happy horns. Snappy drums. And don't even get me started on the bass part. My only complaint about this song is that it is too short. I could listen to this all day!

All right, there is my two cents. Anybody else want to take a stab?

Song of the Day - Day 28

I am breaking the random rule on Song of the Day, just this once, to share with you this fabulous video that John, aka, jpreale, has made.


Therefore, today's song is...


On Earth My Nina


And here is the video.



I was particularly surprised by how faithful the second section is to the original song. You can clearly hear the word Thunderbird and the melody is right there. Nifty.

Can I also just tell you that we have characters in Rock Band that are all named after obscure TMBG references and that my girl is called Nina after this song.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 27

Today's song is...


Istanbul (Not Constantinople)


And the streak is back on! I could have hit random page for a year without coming across this and instead I get it in the first month.

I know this is one of the songs that fans in general, and frequent concert goers in particular, often get sick of, but I have to admit, I never tire of it. Not the recording, not the live version, not anything about it. It's a classic.

As it stands I have been to 66 shows and I believe I have seen this performed at 64 of them. I need to double check; it might be 63. (EDIT: Nope, I checked. It's 64.) But either way, it is the song I have more often than any other. And I love it every single time.

I love (LOVE) watching Dan do his guitar intro. I love seeing the horns do it when it is their turn. I love the way Linnell messes about with the pronunciation of the lyrics in a way that speaks to having performed it, literally thousands of times. I love nearly getting kicked in the face by Flansburgh as he hops on one foot. I love getting buried in confetti by the blizzard cannon. I loved watching Ralph Carney slide across the stage on his back on the tour last fall. And just lately, I love hearing Flans yell "They say we have do go, but we don't want to go" as he leads the band into one false ending after another.

Are you getting how attached I am to this live? I kind of feel like it hasn't been a proper show if I haven't seen this. The recorded version is great but it just isn't the same.

I've also been listening to these ancient live show recordings lately from the late '80s which frequently include this song and I've been enjoying Flansburgh's incoherant yelling in the chorus. Good stuff.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 26

Today's song is...


Contraption


Hmm, my random selection roll appears to have ended. I admit I actually had to go play to Podcast 23A in order to listen to this song. I'm not entirely sure I had ever heard it before. My terrible fan confession of the day: there are a whole bunch of podcasts that I have never listened to. They were at 32 when I got into the band enough to subscribe to the podcast. I went back and started listening to the earlier ones, but I only got up into the early teens. I don't know that I ever listened to any of the 20s.

This is kind of my new favorite thing though. It's short and silly and yet packs a TON of instruments into 30 seconds. Makes me wonder if was just something silly they put together or if it had a purpose but didn't get used. Someone on the wiki suggested it might be a rejected Dunkin Donuts tune. I'd buy that, or some other similar explanation. But man, it makes me smile :-)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 25

Today's song is...


The Statue Got Me High


Man, I have gotten a run of good songs this week. Can we talk about how much I enjoy the concept of a statue blowing someone's mind to the point that they disintegrate? And how much I love the lyric "The truth is where the sculptor's chisel chipped away the lie." And also what a great video this song has. It never makes it onto the top of my list of videos, but then every time I watch it I think, "Wow, what a great video." Someday I would like to hear this live outside an Apollo 18 show. Just because.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 24

Today's song is...



Where Your Eyes Don't Go


Great guitar part. Really great guitar part. I think I've always felt a little like this is one of the songs I just don't quite "get" so I don't try and just sit back and enjoy the guitar and the twisty, turny lyrics.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

There's A Picture Opposite Me - 12/8/10

Another kind of silly one.



12/8/10

"I like the stories about angels, unicorns and elves. Now, I like those stories as much as anybody else." - Science Is Real - They Might Be Giants

Please send submissions to theroommustlistentome@gmail.com

Song of the Day - Day 23

This was going to be today's song until yesterday's song became today's song. So I was going to make this tomorrow's song until I realized that it wont be topical anymore tomorrow. So you get a bonus song today, to make up for the missing one.


In honor of the last day of Chanukah, today's (bonus) song is...


Feast Of Lights





This is pretty damn, dark for a holiday song, but then what do I expect from TMBG. And it joins a great tradition of depressing holiday songs with the unique aspect of being about Chanukah rather than Christmas. Plus, it has always made me idly curious if any of the members of the band are Jewish.

Song of the Day - Day 22

Oh wow. I just realized I totally forgot to post yesterday's song. Sorry people. My bad.

Today's song is...


Hypnotist of Ladies


I think I've actually known this guy. You know, the guy who manages to get all the girls to like him even though he's a douche but later they can't remember what was so appealing about him? Yeah, that guy. I always hated that guy. But I like the music behind the song.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

These Might Be Side Projects

I guess this would more properly be titled, Side Projects and Previous Gigs. In today's edition of Audience Participation, I am compiling a brief list of my favorite tracks from the various side projects and previous gigs the various members of They Might Be Giants have been involved in over the years. The catch is, I'm not just gonna list my very favorite tracks in general because then, the list would either be really long or completely dominated by State Songs. (I think I'll have to devote one of these to State Songs at some point.) Instead I'm just gonna pick five favorites, one each from five different projects.

For Audience Participation purposes you can include anything any member of the band (I'll even take past or present) has been involved in. And you can totally pick all of your tracks from one project if you want to. I just wanted a little variety in my list. Basically, anything goes. Do what you want. Oh wait, that's a different band. (Sorry, obscure joke.)

5. Processional #3 - This is my very favorite part of House of Mayors. It kicks some serious ass. It kind of reminds me of what I like about the Dropkick Murphys but without all the parts that I don't like (primarily the vocals). Rock accordion! My second choice off this album would be the title track. It reminds me of The Hall of Presidents at Disney World, as it is supposed to I believe.

4. More Than a Feeling - No, none of the members of the band were in Boston, but Marty was in a band called Meow with David Driver and they recorded this cover of More Than a Feeling that I kind of adore. Their version is a bit less synthesized than the original and the vocals are a little...harder I guess would be the word for it, but David can sure hit the necessary high notes. I'm not really sure why it appeals to me so much but it does. My second choice would be an original called Walk Me Home.

3. Backstabbing Liar - There are actually a lot of the Mono Puff songs that I enjoy but I'm pretty sure this one is my favorite. I have to admit though, a lot of Mono Puff just sounds like Flans' TMBG tracks to me. Regardless, this is a great song. Second choice: Don't Break the Heart.

2. Sucker - I was far too late to the party to ever experience Lincoln when they were together but fortunately for me their album lives on for me to enjoy. And enjoy it I do. Oddly, this tends to be the album I turn to when I am in a really bad mood. It helps. There is actually only one track on the album I don't care for, but among the others this is the one I love best. It's a close call but I think my second choice would be Unhappy.

1. South Carolina - It's a rock song about a bike crash. A really good rock song about a bike crash. This is kind of proof of my theory that John Linnell can write a great song about absolutely any subject if he puts his mind to it. I really will have to do a whole entry devoted to State Songs at some point but for now my second choice is West Virginia.


Your picks? Anybody?


P.S. I could really use some suggestions for future topics for Audience Participation, if anyone has any ideas. My brain has been running a little dry of late which is why these things keep being so late.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 21

Today's song is...


Ooh La! Ooh La!





Does anyone still jump rope like this? I remember trying on several occasions as a kid and not being that successful, which is odd since I was a pretty good jump roper in single style. Anyway, cute silly song. I am amused by Flans singing jump rope rhymes.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 20

Today's song is...


Down To The Bottom Of The Sea


This is an uber-ear worm song, primed to get stuck in my head. Down, down, down. Yup, there it goes.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Happy Birthday Danny!

What time is it? It's Danny Weinkauf time! That's right, it's time to wish our favorite bass player a very Happy Birthday! So pull out your red pants and honor the man in style while enjoying a few of my favorite pictures of the man himself.


1/31/09b #3

5/30/09 #52

TMBG 10/15/09 #9

TMBG 10/17/09b #11

TMBG 3/11/10 #21

TMBG 4/22/10 #60

TMBG 6/12/10 #6

TMBG 9/12/10 #5

TMBG 9/25/10 #2

TMBG 10/16/10a #18

TMBG 10/17/10 #43


Happy Birthday Danny! Here's to another fantastic year! Keep on rockin' :-)

P.S. In honor of Danny's birthday, I went and made something silly. You can go check it out here if you dare and please, send me more stuff to put on it by clicking the SUBMIT button.

Song of the Day - Day 19

Today's song is...


She's Actual Size




I recently realized that I had almost never heard the album version of this song. There is a live version with the Dial-A-Drummer interlude on my Dial-A-Song collection and for several years that was all I heard. To the point where is sounds weird to me now without the Dial-A-Drummer part. I remember being a little disappointed when I saw it live that they didn't do that segment, but it makes sense since that was really Dan Hickey's thing anyway.

Outside of that, I don't have any particular feelings on it. It's not really a fav, but I like it well enough.

Animal! Animal! Animal!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 18

Today's song is...


One Everything





I love this song. It is actually one of my favorites from Here Come the 123s. This is one of the kids songs that I feel like could survive on a rock album. The lyrics are insanely clever and, if you think about it, the concept is pretty advanced for little kids. I pretty sure at the age of five, my mind would have been boggled by the verse about drawing a giant circle around everything. Actually, it is still kind of boggled by that verse. And I love the presence of the monster and the random "please, clean your room." I must admit though, I find the singing globe and the boy with the oddly spaced eyes just a tad creepy.

So what do we think? If you drew a giant circle around everything, would there still be such a thing as an outside?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Song of the Day - Day 17

Today's song is...


Particle Man


Only 17 days in and my random song selector struck one of the big ones. I was recently shocked to discover that my boyfriend is what I call a Tiny Toons TMBG Fan, meaning he discovered the band via the episode of Tiny Toons that contained the Particle Man and Istanbul videos. I don't know how I had missed this fact for so long. Despite being the right age, I never watched Tiny Toons so I never saw those videos until I watched Direct From Brooklyn.

I have to admit, I have never been a Particle Man fan. I don't hate it; it's just not one of my favorites. However, I love what the band does with it live. Every time I think I am thoroughly sick of hearing the song, they do something else silly with it when they perform it so it's fresh again. I have a lot of good show memories associated with this song. I think my favorite is from the screwed up St. Louis Flood show that I talk about all the time. They had almost gotten to the end of the album, having already had to go back and insert Twisting, Your Racist Friend and We Want A Rock out of order because they forgot them, when Marty remembered they hadn't played Particle Man either. He leans down to tell Danny. Flans is in the midst of saying there are only two songs left when Danny starts waving at him going "Particle Man, we forgot Particle Man." Flans gives him this totally exasperated look (which he responds to with a "don't look at me, it was him" look and point at Marty) and corrects himself to say their are only 14 songs left. That show is going to go down in history as one of my favorites. Too funny. But as far as Particle Man performances go it is closely rivaled by Linnell conducting Flans and Danny on the keyboard at both The Stone Pony and that last show at the Quick Center. Both absurdly funny Particle Man moments as well.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Here Comes Science FTW!

It's official!! Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants has just been nominated for the 53rd Grammy Awards! Congratulations guys! The album totally deserves all the praise it gets. Best of luck on February 13th! All of us out in TMBG land will be rooting for you :-) In this fan's personal opinion, the album deserves to win on these two songs alone, not to mention all the other stellar tracks.







Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There's A Picture Opposite Me - 12/1/10

This one might be a little lame. I'm sorry. I was in a hurry.


12/1/10


Please send submissions to theroommustlistentome@gmail.com

Song of the Day - Day 16

Today's song is...



Alienation's For The Rich




I am forever getting this song stuck in my head. Especially anytime I see an ad for Miller High Life. But also pretty much every time I hear the song. It's just really catchy. And lately the line "I ain't feeling happy about the state of things in my life" has been really ringing true so that seems to be the one my brain keeps latching onto as an ear worm. I was just listening, the day before yesterday, to the show mentioned on the wiki page for this song, where Flans says it was written by his dad. It made me laugh. I really enjoy the melody in the bridge of this song. And I think I'll have to add this one to my list of songs I would like to hear live because I think it would be fun to see Flans through himself into the vocals on this one. I'll probably have to add it to the "never gonna happen" category though.