# They Might Be Giants -- The Spine **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078 "2004-07-14T15:19:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SilentButDeftly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@SilentButDeftly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SilentButDeftly)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/1 "2004-07-14T15:19:33Z")
It just came out (in the US, at least) yesterday, and I just gave it a first listen. I’m not quite sure what to say… I’ve been a rabid TMBG fan for at least the past 10 years, but I’m initially underwhelmed by this CD. It’s nice to hear “Thunderbird” finally done as a studio recording, but the CD feels very… predictable? Maybe that’s the word? I dunno, it’s short too – just a touch over 1/2 hour, and it feels that short too, unlike some of their earlier works, which may have been short but at least felt complete. Has anybody else picked this one up yet? I’m curious to read what other people have to say about it. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/2 "2004-07-14T15:45:26Z")
I bought a promo of this album about a month ago, so I’ve had plenty of time to get used to this album. My first impression of it was pretty negative, but it QUICKLY grew on me. It’s one of those albums that I enjoy more and more everytime I listen to it, to the point that it’s now my second favourite TMBG album (behind the almighty John Henry). The only exception is the song Trapped In A World Before Later On, which I absolutely can’t force myself to like no matter how hard I try. I’ve even removed the track from my ipod since every single time I’ve listen to the album now(the count last time I had itunes open was 19 times, and 7 for that one sing), I had to skip that one song. Also, They Might Be Giants released an EP yesterday, The Spine Surfs Alone, with an additional 7 songs not on The Spine LP, which can be downloaded from [their website.](http://www.theymightbegiants.com) I’m All You Can Think About is definately one of the creepiest songs they’ve ever written, but it may also be one of their best! ---
**Author:** ![SilentButDeftly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@SilentButDeftly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SilentButDeftly)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/3 "2004-07-14T16:17:27Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > I bought a promo of this album about a month ago, so I’ve had plenty of time to get used to this album. My first impression of it was pretty negative, but it QUICKLY grew on me. It’s one of those albums that I enjoy more and more everytime I listen to it, to the point that it’s now my second favourite TMBG album (behind the almighty John Henry). The only exception is the song Trapped In A World Before Later On, which I absolutely can’t force myself to like no matter how hard I try. I’ve even removed the track from my ipod since every single time I’ve listen to the album now(the count last time I had itunes open was 19 times, and 7 for that one sing), I had to skip that one song. > > Also, They Might Be Giants released an EP yesterday, The Spine Surfs Alone, with an additional 7 songs not on The Spine LP, which can be downloaded from [their website.](http://www.theymightbegiants.com) I’m All You Can Think About is definately one of the creepiest songs they’ve ever written, but it may also be one of their best! I’m glad to hear it’s grown on you – I’m hoping it has a similar effect on me… I also got The Spine Surfs Alone, but I foolishly left that one at home, I’ll have to give it a listen after work. ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/4 "2004-07-14T16:30:21Z")
I am totally grooving on _Experimental Film_. It’s almost as good as _Tropical Lazor Beams_. Almost. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/5 "2004-07-14T16:39:28Z")
> [@kung fu lola](#): > > I am totally grooving on _Experimental Film_. It’s almost as good as _Tropical Lazor Beams_. Almost. > 😉 For those of you who are Homestar Runner fans, there is a new Flash video for “Experimental Film” on [http://www.homestarrunner.com](http://www.homestarrunner.com) , directed by The Cheat and starring Strong Sad! ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/6 "2004-07-14T17:18:11Z")
TMBG and Homestar Runner. This universe just got a little bit yummier. ---
**Author:** ![SilentButDeftly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@SilentButDeftly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SilentButDeftly)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/7 "2004-07-14T18:24:12Z")
Why “The Spine”, I wonder? “Mink Car” was the first album of theirs to also be the name of a song of theirs, and I still never quite figured out why they stuck with that title for the album. I preferred one of the earlier titles they’d chosen for the album, “Unreliable Narrator”, it seems to fit more with the album. Anybody have any theories on why this is “The Spine”? ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/8 "2004-07-15T01:43:32Z")
Okay, I looked on homestarrunner and can’t find it–can somebody give me a direct link? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/9 "2004-07-15T02:26:30Z")
> [@Helena](#): > > Okay, I looked on homestarrunner and can’t find it–can somebody give me a direct link? [http://www.homestarrunner.com/expfilm.html](http://www.homestarrunner.com/expfilm.html) Not sure if it’s new, but I only discovered it yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/10 "2004-07-15T02:30:37Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > [http://www.homestarrunner.com/expfilm.html](http://www.homestarrunner.com/expfilm.html) > > Not sure if it’s new, but I only discovered it yesterday. Actually, I’m not sure if that’ll lead you to what I saw. My brother e-mailed me the direct link to the animated video: [http://homestarrunner.com/expfilm\_final.swf](http://homestarrunner.com/expfilm_final.swf) ---
**Author:** ![Helena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@Helena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/11 "2004-07-15T02:35:07Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kung\_fu\_lola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f4b2a3/32.png) [@kung\_fu\_lola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kung_fu_lola)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/12 "2004-07-15T07:20:43Z")
> [@Olentzero](#): > > TMBG and Homestar Runner. This universe just got a little bit yummier. Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the “Jam sessions” yet, where the Homestar-puppet jams with TMBG? [Go here](http://www.homestarrunner.com/toons.html) and select “Puppet stuff”. It’s very… special. ::_singing_ Twahpik-al lllaaayzah beeams… laaayzah beeeams of… looooove…:: ---
**Author:** ![MrFantsyPants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MrFantsyPants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFantsyPants)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/13 "2004-07-15T13:11:49Z")
TMBG also did the theme song for Chopping Block Graphic Design. Great design firm. [http://choppingblock.com/oranges/index\_flash.html](http://choppingblock.com/oranges/index_flash.html) ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/14 "2004-07-15T13:15:20Z")
> [@kung fu lola](#): > > Don’t tell me you haven’t seen the “Jam sessions” yet, where the Homestar-puppet jams with TMBG? Oh heck yes. I check on the HR site at least once a week, so I’m up on all the latest. I totally dig the puppetjams (“Take a powder! Pow-duhhhhw…”) but the video… I just _couldn’t_ stop playing it last night. Thank Og I have no roommates. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-might-be-giants-the-spine/255078/15 "2004-07-15T17:35:42Z")
> [@SilentButDeftly](#): > > Why “The Spine”, I wonder? “Mink Car” was the first album of theirs to also be the name of a song of theirs, and I still never quite figured out why they stuck with that title for the album. I preferred one of the earlier titles they’d chosen for the album, “Unreliable Narrator”, it seems to fit more with the album. Anybody have any theories on why this is “The Spine”? Actually Unreliable Narrator is a TMBG song. It’s the official name of a song better known as both “Kids Are Different” and “I’m The Substitute Now”, which was released on TMBG Unlimited, as well as appearing on the extremely rare Malcolm in the Middle soundtrack. Notice that ever since Mink Car, every single album release has been named after a song (No!, They Got Lost, The Spine) … it could also be argued that both Flood and Severe Tire Damage were named after a song of theirs, but I won’t be the one to make it. A majority, but not all, of their EP’s have also been named after songs.