REVIEW: They Might Be Giants, Severe Tire Damage (Restless)
- Bob Gajarsky
Brooklyn-based They Might Be Giants got their start almost 15 years ago. In that time span, they've gone from indie label to major and back again to an indie, have released 6 proper albums and countless B-sides and outtakes. This doesn't take into account their own Dial-A-Song, which has housed numerous unreleased tracks. So, the only question that remains with a live album is 'What took so long'?
A mixed bag which is more likely to appeal to fans of John Henry and Factory Showroom more than their self-titled debut, Severe Tire Damage combines new and quirky with old and classic, along with a few (non-live) new songs.
For the new and innovative, check out their cover of "Why Does The Sun Shine?", in which the children's song is turned into a punk slam-dancing, high energy educational jaunt. Or, look at the 'acoustic' (well, with accordion) version of "Meet James Ensor". However, it sounds as if They sleepwalk through some of their major hits, specifically "Ana Ng" and "Particle Man", where the vocals are a chore to listen to, if not to perform.
The seventies sound which TMBG first embraced on "S-E-X-X-Y" is more evident on the live version, and seeps over, this time in the form of a faux game show from that same decade, onto the new single, "Doctor Worm". Another new track which will appeal to fans is "They Got Lost", in which the band jest about getting lost. Some of their older wit is back, when trying to find their way, noting that 'there should be a big crinkle, assuming this map is right.'
Another treat for longtime fans, in addition to this album, will be unveiled next month. The Dial-A-Song service that was formerly only available via phone (It's free if you call from work!) will also be offered on the Internet, at http://www.dialasong.com - for a preview of forthcoming and unreleased material.
