They Might Be Awesome

Formed in 1982 and credited as vital in the creation of the prolific DIY music scene in Brooklyn in the mid-1980s, They Might Be Giants released their debut album on this day in 1986.

They Might Be Giants was the second album to be released on the fledgling Bar/None label and was a wild fusion of new wave pop and arty post-punk experiments that was a part of a cool music scene in New York City.

The band, John Flansburgh and John Linnell, used many unconventional recording techniques in the production of the album. The music contains odd sound samples with a melodic, mostly uptempo synthesizer-and-guitar pop style. Drum and bass tracks are almost entirely synthesized.

Highlights include the lead single, “Don’t Let’s Start” along with other classics like “Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head” and “(She Was A) Hotel Detective”.

The lyrics were abstract short stories of oddball characters and stories. It’s clever nerd-rock before it became a bit more famous in the 1990s and 2000s (you’re welcome Weezer and Barenaked Ladies). The guys sound mature beyond their careers and the debut sets up an amazing career.

It’s weird, fun, funky and so much more. It’s today’s Throwback Thursday and it’s worth another listen.