They Might Never Run Out of Ideas

The original duo of They Might Be Giants consists of John Flansburgh and John Linnell who joined forces in 1982. The pair has been in the business for a while and has released 20 full-length studio albums, the most recent being I Like Fun. From the Malcolm in the Middle theme song to children’s albums to alternative rock, They Might Be Giants have shown their hand. Despite the wide variety of style and genre in their music, their signature sound is stamped on everything they create.

“Let’s Get This Over With” kicks off the album. The track is upbeat and fun with no particular sticking point. It’s enjoyable, but easily forgettable and could fit in on one of their past children’s albums. Other tracks have a similar enjoyable quality but are more memorable. The titular track, “I Like Fun” lays out a simple marching band tune with a single layer of vocalization underneath the lead vocals which hauntingly chant, “As we float away / So do you.”

The amount of fun the duo has producing music is clear. Demonstrating the eclectic sound of the band, kazoos, trumpets and synth ring through tunes such as “Push Back The Hands,” “This Microphone” and “McCafferty’s Bib.” Other tracks notably offer more of a bite and dynamism. For example, “I Left My Body” is an enchanting alternative rock tune with undeniably catchy and playful lyrics, a signature of the duo.

The lyricism in many of these tracks stands out and highlights an interesting perspective on the inevitable. The band offers a satirically fun and morbid view on life, specifically the end of life. Interestingly enough, this is served in a melodic sing-songy way. One track which highlights this theme perfectly is “By The Time You Get This.” “By the time you get this note / We’ll no longer be alive / But our skulls are smiling still / At the thought of things to come.” The lyrics turn to offer a positive perspective on death and the impending future as they sing, “And we confidently know / You’ll enjoy a better time / When the evils that we faced / Will at last be laid to rest.” On another note, the final track, “Last Wave,” executes the theme in a more ghoulish way. The duo sings, “We die alone, we die afraid…the grave is the loneliest place.” However, these lyrics are juxtaposed alongside a jazzy and exciting tune.

Their past works have shown that They Might Be Giants is far from a one-trick pony, and this album further demonstrates this. While their vast collection of work is an extensive sampling of many genres and styles, They Might Be Giants has a certain unique quality to their sound which trademarks all of their music.