Idlewild/ Zoe
As They Might Be Giants John Flansburgh and John Linnell have been New York City’s definitive art-pop exports for more than two decades. Over that time they have danced ever closer to the mainstream but their eccentricities have always kept them well left of centre. With acclaimed producers The Dust Brothers on board for TMBG’s 12th studio album you might expect a calculated break for the pop charts. Not so. In fact The Else sounds like TMBG’s recent catalogue only sharper. The bass is fatter the horns are brighter and the vocals more full. As an astute friend of mine noted The Dust Brothers could hear the genius of the band and just let them do what they do best. Production aside The Else is the band’s strongest effort since 1994’s John Henry. Not only is the songwriting more consistent there are at least four stand-out singalong hits. Even with oblique references curious lyrical choices and eyebrow-raising storytelling the real magic of The Else is that They Might Be Giants prove they are just as relevant as ever.
