Dial-A-Song: 20 Years Of They Might Be Giants/Press Release
Dial-A-Song: 20 Years Of They Might Be Giants Salutes Grammy-Winning Indie Duo[edit]
Put your hand inside the puppet head! Rhino/Elektra recognizes the contributions of two musical "giants" with the release of DIAL-A-SONG: 20 YEARS OF THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. The 2-CD, 52-song collection, the first-ever best-of and only comprehensive career-to-date overview from these post-punk pranksters, hits stores September 17.
Referencing the answering machine service on which the Giants have tested early versions of nearly all their songs (free if you call from work!), DIAL-A-SONG includes such college radio hits as "Don't Let's Start," "Ana Ng," "Birdhouse In Your Soul," and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." Compiled and annotated by the band's two Johns -- Flansburgh and Linnell -- the set includes all their most familiar songs (singles, album tracks, concert staples) as well as three previously unreleased live cuts: "She's Actual Size," "Spy," and "Stormy Pinkness."
The 52 tracks feature key recordings from every release of They Might Be Giants' two-decades-and-counting career, including the band's eponymous debut (1986), Lincoln (1988), the gold-selling Flood (1990), Apollo 18 (1992), John Henry (1994), Factory Showroom (1996), Severe Tire Damage (1998), Mink Car (2001) and their recently released "children's" album, No!. 20 YEARS OF THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS also draws from the group's soundtrack recordings for TV's Malcolm In The Middle and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. The Malcolm theme song, "Boss Of Me," earned TMBG the Best Song Written For Motion Picture Or Television Grammy this year.
Formed in Boston, They Might Be Giants drew their name from a 1971 George C. Scott film. TMBG moved to Brooklyn in the early 1980s and soon attracted a cult following with their quirky material and Dial-A-Song service. Signed by Bar/None Records in 1986 and by Elektra in 1990, TMBG issued a steady stream of releases that solidified their status as alternative rock's funniest and catchiest tag team. Now on the road to celebrate their 20th anniversary, the band is the subject of the feature-length documentary Gigantic: A Tale Of Two Johns currently playing in selected theaters around the country.
