The Else

7.0/10

  I'm tempted to call this a comeback album.  I definitely like it more than the last two They Might Be Giants albums.  I think I was still slightly down on them at the time this was released, and while it didn't necessarily knock my socks off, I was pleasantly surprised with the results.  There's nothing on this album that approaches the obnoxiousness of Mr. Xcitement, which if you haven't been able to figure out by now was a song I just really didn't like.  What's more I don't think any of the songs here are boring either.  They all have something to recommend them, albeit some more than others.  On top of that there are some really excellent songs to be found here.

  Looking back I have to say TMBG have always been good at kicking off their albums and this one is no exception.  I'm Impressed is upbeat and catchy and gets things started on the right note.  Take Out the Trash isn't my favorite track on here, but it's not bad by any means.  It almost has a little bit of a funk vibe to it, but it's not quite as clever or catchy as their very best stuff.  But then, that's a pretty high standard.

  The next two tracks are pretty killer and really cement this for me as a return to form.  Upside Down Frown gives me a right-side up smile and I especially like Climbing the Walls.  This is probably my favorite song on the album, and maybe my favorite song they've released since Factory Showroom.  With the possible exception of Hopeless Bleak Despair from Mink Car.  That song's been stuck in my head for a few days since I wrote that review.

 (The) Else-where (get it?  The Else?  I know, it's obvious and bad.) Bee the Bird of the Moth is kind of strange lyrically.  Not that that's anything unexpected from this band, but I'm really not sure exactly what they're going on about.  But it's got an oddly infectious melody that guarantees its status as a keeper.

  I also like The Cap'm, which is both catchy and funny.  I can't help but crack up at the notion of a guy who insists on being called the Captain (or cap'm in this case) but doesn't drive a boat.  I also like the part where he jumps on the notion that he thinks he heard someone say they like his hat and accepts the compliment.  Somehow they've managed to leave some doubt as to whether anyone actually gave such a compliment, but he's ready to hear it anyway.  I can totally picture this dude and he's funny.

  The other highlight for me is The Mesopotamians.  Apparently chronicling the adventures of an unknown band comprised of members hailing from an ancient civilization, it's goofy and catchy in the best possible way.

  Most of the rest of the songs here range from not bad to pretty dang good but not especially worth singling out.  I definitely would rate this a notch below their classic albums, but it stands as a solid latter day TMBG album and shows that this band isn't finished yet.  And that's pretty good news.