Factory Showroom - They Might Be Giants

During their 7 year affair with Bugs Bunny and Co. at Warner Elektra Associates, Brooklyn boys They Might Be Giants evolved from a humble duo performing against a drum machine, to a rocking 6 piece band. Quite a large step, even for these Giants. While their first recordings with the full band on the album "John Henry" sported some of their finest songwriting, the huge leap in sound was a shock to the system of many fans. For "Factory ...
...band managed to strike a balance between old and new by using a scaled-down band and integrating this with their more familiar synthetic sounds. The result is an album with the potential for appealing to a massive audience, without 'selling out' Sadly, Elektra made virtually no effort to promote this final contractual obligation album, and as a result it is one of the least known TMBG records, despite being regarded by the band as their best work ... more

During their 7 year affair with Bugs Bunny and Co. at Warner Elektra Associates, Brooklyn boys They Might Be Giants evolved from a humble duo performing against a drum machine, to a rocking 6 piece band. Quite a large step, even for these Giants. While their first recordings with the full band on the album "John Henry" sported some of their finest songwriting, the huge leap in sound was a shock to the system of many fans. For "Factory Showroom", the less than successful successor to John Henry, the band managed to strike a balance between old and new by using a scaled-down band and integrating this with their more familiar synthetic sounds. The result is an album with the potential for appealing to a massive audience, without 'selling out' Sadly, Elektra made virtually no effort to promote this final contractual obligation album, and as a result it is one of the least known TMBG records, despite being regarded by the band as their best work to date. Even the title was chosen because of the band's belief that this was the most commercially appealing album they had made.

Despite the increase in length and decrease in quantity of the songs which is apparent on this record, the band remain true to their musical values with their unique, thought-provoking lyrics, infectious melodies, and eclectic mix of styles. The album opens with S.E.X.X.Y (unless you have found the hidden track! Try searching BACK from the beginning of the album!), a piece of funk-rock penned and sung by guitarist John Flansburgh. It is immediately followed by "Till My Head Falls Off", a John Linnell composition in the rockabilly style. This is how most TMBG albums go - rapidly darting between musical styles. However, their own unique sound is probably best captured in "Metal Detector" and "Spiralling Shape", which feature everything that is great about the band - loud guitars, exhilarating synths and lyrics which nail themselves firmly in your subconscious. Like all of They Might Be Giants' albums, you will be humming it in supermarket queues for the next 10 years!

Other fine moments include the bizarre "Exquisite Dead Guy", the emotive "Your Own Worst Enemy", and the closing track "The Bells Are Ringing" - a song about mind control.

This album is essential for anyone and everyone. Add this to your musical collection and you will feel like you have been let in on the best kept secret in existence. But don't keep it to yourself - share it with others, and maybe then this fantastic but forgotten album will finally get the recognition it deserves. 

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