They Might Be Giants // Nanobots
DEAR GOD it works. Nanobots is just classic TMBG with each song breaking all regular music conventions.
They Might Be Giants have certainly evolved since creating the postmark for a generation, the Malcolm in the Middle theme tune in 2000 and ‘Nanobots’ being their 16th studio album, the progression of this American duo is evident. However, their signature alternative, happy-go-lucky songs are still present. The album kicks off with ‘You’re on Fire!’, an explosive start that instantly hooks you to listen to the rest. Kooky sounds and seemingly trivial subject choices are how TMBG works, lives, breathes and creates their extremely unique but addictive sound and always have. Each song on the album seems to be influenced or inspired by every genre of music - from 50s surf Beach Boys-esque ‘Call you Mom’, pop punk skater ‘Circular Karate Chop’, that wouldn't be out of place on an early Blink 182 album - all the way to indefinable 40-second techno mess, ‘Sleep’. It’s like listening to a compilation album where none of the tracks relate... but it totally works. DEAR GOD it works. Nanobots is just classic TMBG with each song breaking all regular music conventions, such as 10-second long ‘Destroy the Past’ and ‘Tick’, 5-second ‘Hive Mind’ and 15-second long ‘Nouns’, ‘Decision Makers’ and ‘There’. Does it make sense? No! Do you think the CD is broken cause 5 songs in a row are so short? Yes! But it’s just brilliant. So if you're looking for a break from overplayed squeaky pop or still unsure what the difference between house and jungle is, Nanobots is for you. It’s simple, crazy but effective and will ALWAYS remind you of coming home and watching ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ after school. 8/10 Freja Hoskins
They Might Be Giants have certainly evolved since creating the postmark for a generation, the Malcolm in the Middle theme tune in 2000 and ‘Nanobots’ being their 16th studio album, the progression of this American duo is evident. However, their signature alternative, happy-go-lucky songs are still present. The album kicks off with ‘You’re on Fire!’, an explosive start that instantly hooks you to listen to the rest. Kooky sounds and seemingly trivial subject choices are how TMBG works, lives, breathes and creates their extremely unique but addictive sound and always have. Each song on the album seems to be influenced or inspired by every genre of music - from 50s surf Beach Boys-esque ‘Call you Mom’, pop punk skater ‘Circular Karate Chop’, that wouldn't be out of place on an early Blink 182 album - all the way to indefinable 40-second techno mess, ‘Sleep’. It’s like listening to a compilation album where none of the tracks relate... but it totally works. DEAR GOD it works. Nanobots is just classic TMBG with each song breaking all regular music conventions, such as 10-second long ‘Destroy the Past’ and ‘Tick’, 5-second ‘Hive Mind’ and 15-second long ‘Nouns’, ‘Decision Makers’ and ‘There’. Does it make sense? No! Do you think the CD is broken cause 5 songs in a row are so short? Yes! But it’s just brilliant. So if you're looking for a break from overplayed squeaky pop or still unsure what the difference between house and jungle is, Nanobots is for you. It’s simple, crazy but effective and will ALWAYS remind you of coming home and watching ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ after school. 8/10 Freja Hoskins
