Not too long ago, there was a "days with Bond" special on Rotten Tomatoes, a film site I frequent. The reviewer, who had never seen a Bond movie, decided to see one a day and write a review, in the lead up to the release of the latest film, Quantum of Solace. This gave me the idea I present to you today.

About a month ago, I saw They Might Be Giants for the first time. I had little to no experience, with only the vaguest familiarity with a couple of their singles, as well as the song "Boss of Me," theme song for the FOX TV show "Malcolm in the Middle." Since then, I have listened to each album once, and a few other songs a handful more times. I have familiarity now, and I consider myself a fan, though I am certainly not far enough into fandom to be jaded by the band. This seems like the time to write down what I think, and try to be objective.

I thought that it would be fun, now that I have all of TMBG's studio albums on my computer. During these days, I'll be listening to each album at least twice, trying for thrice, from start to finish, and write a review of the album, with star ratings for each track, too. I won't be reviewing the kids albums, as I don't have them yet, but anyway, I present ...

TEN DAYS OF THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS.

Day One: They Might Be Giants (The Pink Album) (1986)

The initial reaction I get to listening to They Might Be Giants' debut record is that it is one of split personalities. If I had been listening to this in 1986, when the album was originally released by Bar/None Records, I would think it was a band that was having trouble finding its niche. The album is certainly all over place, from bouncy, brilliantly weird pop like the single "Don't Let's Start" to the very 80's but delightfully sinister "Rabid Child" to the bluesy funky pop romp "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" to the suspiciously James Bond-ish "Youth Culture Killed My Dog." There really is no way to pin down what the band were aiming for with this album, but that kind of gives its charm.

My favorite part about They Might Be Giants is that even in the songs I would call weaker than the others, there is usually a redeeming quality in the lyrics. They read sort of like a smirking Kurt Vonnegut giving songwriting a go. Even on this, their first album, there are a few really brilliant lines, most notably "Everyone dies frusturated and sad, and that is beautiful" from my favorite track, "Don't Let's Start." There's also the bizarre but cool lyrics of "The Day," which remark upon a fictional marriage between folk singer Phil Ochs and R&B singer Marvin Gaye, as well as "biplanes bombed with fluffy pillows."

The Pink Album isn't a flawless album, and its not one of my favorites of theres. There's a point a little past the middle where my three least favorite tracks on the album are bunched up, these being "Boat of Car," "Absolutely Bill's Mood," and "Chess Piece Face," none of the three really doing anything for me--although not terrible, they fall flat a bit flat for me. This kind of hurts the momentum of album, but it is able to pick up slightly with one of the highlight tracks, a lyrical parody of The Who called "I Hope That I Get Old Before I Die."

Even with its faults, They Might Be Giants is a really interesting debut, and sets the table well for future exploits, such as the equally varied but significantly more awesome "Lincoln," which is next on the itinerary. That'll be another day, i.e., tomorrow.

Highlight tracks: Don't Let's Start, Hope That I Get Old Before I Die, (She Was A) Hotel Detective

Weak links: Boat of Care, Absolutely Bill's Mood, Chess Piece Face

Complete Star Ratings:
Everything Right Is Wrong Again: 4/5
Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head: 4/5
Number Three: 4/5
Don't Let's Start: 5/5
Hide Away Folk Family: 4/5
32 Footsteps: 3/5
Toddler Hiway: 3/5
Rabid Child: 3/5
Nothing's Ever Gonna Change My Clothes: 3/5
(She Was A) Hotel Detective: 5/5
She's An Angel: 3/5
Youth Culture Killed My Dog: 3/5
Boat Of Car: 2/5
Absolutely Bill's Mood: 2/5
Chess Piece Face: 2/5
Hope That I Get Old Before I Die: 4/5
Alienation's For The Rich: 3/5
The Day: 3/5
Rhythm Section Want Ad: 4/5

They Might Be Giants Final Album Verdict: 7/10