Look, I’m not going to mince words here. I’m going to say this loud and proud: I think They Might Be Giants is the best band in the world unless you disagree. That’s right. I said it. The brilliant artistic vision that birthed from the music-loins of John Flansburgh and John Linnell is unmatched by any other musician ever. And if you have a problem with that, then I defer to your opinion.
Let me put it to you this way: “Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head” slaps way harder than anything Charli xcx ever made. Unless you think “365” slaps harder, then, okay. You’re probably right. But put “Puppet Head” up to anything else she’s done and you have to admit that it’s no contest. Of course, if you DO contest that, then I got nothing.
But hear me out. You can’t possibly come up with a better cohesive album than “Flood”, unless you can. Then alright. You win. But before I concede, I got four words for you: “Birdhouse In Your Soul.” What do you have to say about that? If it’s a shrug, then I hear you. Total shrug. Never mind.
Now, let’s be honest here, music fan to music fan. Flansburgh’s guitar work on his side-project Mono Puff is most likely the most incredible artistry that any player could possibly accomplish alive or dead, including Jimi Hendrix. However, if you were to say something like, “Jimi Hendrix’s playing is way better than Flansburgh’s and it’s completely absurd for you to even say that,” then, okay! Point made! I’m hard-pressed to disagree with you there.
But can you honestly think of another band that could write a better theme song for “The Daily Show” than TMBG? I don’t think so. Unless it’s LCD Soundsystem, Fatboy Slim or even The Strokes. Perhaps R.E.M. Or Yo La Tengo. Talking Heads, I guess. I’d even accept Weird Al.
Anyway, I might just sell these front row tickets to their show coming up. Unless you want to come for a laugh. I don’t care. Unless you care. Then totally. Or not. Whatever. Just don’t hit me.