Talk:Glean

Confirmed tracks

Not to throw a wrench in things, but how do we know that any of these tracks are confirmed for this album and not just Dial-A-Song and its corresponding compilation? BlueCanary (talk) 21:16, 17 December 2014 (EST)

i was actually just about to post about this here. we don't. ideas? i'm going to change it to "potential tracks" and put a little note at the top. further discourse would be appreciated. Apollo (colloquia!) 21:18, 17 December 2014 (EST)

side note: just conjecture, really, but i think with the album release date drawing so near it seems more likely that most of these updates are about album tracks. someone did mention that the band suggested that album tracks might mostly/all appear on DAS, so overlap is definitely possible. i'm thinking DAS stuff will mostly be done at Collyer Bros and the Governor's Bluff, though. seems like the whole Twitter update thing is Standard for new albums, at this point, and i don't really see why Flans would be giving us a play-by-play on them recording stuff that is solely for DAS? Apollo (colloquia!) 21:25, 17 December 2014 (EST)

Purely conjecture also, but I suspect it is a mix of some album and some Dial-A-Song. I think they are intending these DAS tracks to be more "official" as they are being sold and released in an official collection so it seems likely they would have recorded at least some of them in-studio while working on the other albums. As far as the Twitter part goes, I think they are making a pretty big deal about this new iteration of DAS, almost more so that the next album at this point, so it doesn't seem unlikely that they'd be talking up the tracks like a new album. BlueCanary (talk) 22:14, 17 December 2014 (EST)

A couple points: it was on the IFC website that They said that all the Dial-A-Song tracks would be collected on the albums and compilation. Of course, once signups closed they removed all the text. Also, back in the days of Nanobots, they recorded for the album up to three months before the release so I think it's safe to say some of these titles are for the album. Akagi (talk) 22:19, 20 December 2014 (EST)

I don't think anyone's saying none of these tracks will be on the album. It's just a matter of not knowing which ones. --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 22:33, 20 December 2014 (EST)

Now that I think about it, the IFC site also claimed that the songs appearing on the compilation would be the LATER ones ("including the freaky last-minute songs written in a panic in December"). So these earlier songs might ALL be for the album, unless of course that info was inaccurate. I can't imagine I Wasn't Listening would be for the album. Akagi (talk) 14:11, 24 December 2014 (EST)

hence it not being listed on the page Apollo (colloquia!) 15:16, 24 December 2014 (EST)

Album Speculation

I'm sure the track listing will be revealed any day now, but it's fun to speculate.

The following are given by amazon:

Answer Erase Music Jail Glean Underwater Woman

It's safe to assume that the following already been released tracks will also be on:

Unpronounceable Operation Duel Good to be Alive Next in Line

As it's on the sampler, I'm assuming All the Lazy Boyfriends will also make it

My guess is that No Cops and Hate the V will be left off. The latter is too lo-fi and different in production values from some of the other main tracks. Long White Beard and 4th of July will probably be on the children's album. I'd love it if Name made it, but it's being billed as a bonus track. Anything's possible though. As I see it, there are four wild card spots.

Perhaps: Summer Breeze Coward White Out Lesbian Bar (maybe? it will probably make it, but I wouldn't include it)

What do you guys think?

It's actually already up somewhere, and it's just occurring to me that no one's updated the article yet. I'll do that now. --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 01:15, 27 March 2015 (EDT)

Cool. So everything that's been released thusfar except for Lesbian and Cops... plus four more. Where'd you find this?

Here. --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 02:15, 27 March 2015 (EDT)

Releases via Dial-A-Song

This tweet seems to indicate that all of the songs for Album 17 are being released on DAS beforehand. I can’t deny being somewhat disappointed about not having the joy of listening to a full album of new material all at once, but I’ve quite enjoyed the stuff we’ve heard so far (especially “Erase,” which is I think one of their best songs ever), so, if the rest of the album is anything like this, I have high hopes for it! --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 21:40, 22 January 2015 (EST)

Possible Album Title?

http://www.amazon.com/Glean-They-Might-Be-Giants/dp/B00T73AOPW/ Was snooping around and found that page. You guys suppose that's the official name of the album? --Waymu (talk) 19:06, 15 February 2015 (EST)

Wait, "each called Glean"?

In the end of this Yahoo Interview (https://www.yahoo.com/music/still-viral-after-all-these-years-they-might-be-111623365176.html), there's a line that says: " By year’s end, TMBG will release all 52 new songs on three different volumes, each called Glean; by then, the band will have played many of the songs live." So -- do we think this is a typo, or will there be three "Glean" albums. Should we label them as "Glean I/II/III" or make this a page for all three Gleans? - Rev. Syung Myung Me (talk) 19:46, 22 February 2015 (EST)

Let's wait for the second one to be announced (or for this to be cleared up further) before we change anything over here. TMBG said a couple of months ago that the second album would be a children's album, so I suspect there may be an error in the article. -CapitalQ ♫ talk ♪ 20:28, 22 February 2015 (EST)

Someone asked Flans (or the other person who manages their Tumblr account) about this on Tumblr, specifically if the article was right about all three albums were going to be called Glean, and the response was, "Nope!" —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kaylum (talk • contribs) 04:14, February 27, 2015

(source: here) --MisterMe (talk) 08:08, 27 February 2015 (EST)

Answer single

I found this, which indicates Answer has been released as a single and is confirmed for Glean. Akagi (talk) 17:55, 10 March 2015 (EDT)

Cover art

Has anyone seen this yet? Should we put it up? It's also on the AllMusic entry. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/glean-they-might-be-giants/28636845?ean=20286219415 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.29.87.167 (talk • contribs) 23:30, 16 March 2015‎

Yep, and a somewhat larger version is available at Best Buy here. At the moment, we're waiting for the artwork to be officially released by the band's management (in high-resolution) before featuring it on the album page. -CapitalQ ♫ talk ♪ 23:37, 16 March 2015 (EDT)

The artwork was sent in a mailing list e-mail, does that count? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.29.87.167 (talk • contribs) 18:20, 19 March 2015‎

Not quite - it was debuted in a Fan Club email, and the artwork differs from the one linked above (which may not be final artwork). Should be any day now that we get official art on the Girlie Action site in high resolution. -CapitalQ ♫ talk ♪ 19:19, 19 March 2015 (EDT)

Update: I've just located an Australian press release about the album here with high-resolution artwork, so I've uploaded it. The AU CD release will also have a Flood Live In Australia bonus disc. -CapitalQ ♫ talk ♪ 13:12, 20 March 2015 (EDT)

Update 2: Amazon has also just posted high-resolution cover artwork right here, though it's the other version of the cover that we've been seeing. Not sure what the difference is - perhaps both are being used in some way for different versions of the album? I've uploaded both. -CapitalQ ♫ talk ♪ 13:24, 20 March 2015 (EDT)

Studio album status

I'm excited for this album's release, and I think the artwork/booklet look fantastic. But I'm wondering how it was concluded that Glean counts as a studio album and not a collection/compilation. It's hard to judge what the "official" status of each DAS Direct song is, but I'd personally consider them already released. To me, the closest product to Glean that we have in TMBG's discography is Cast Your Pod To The Wind, another collection of songs gleaned from TMBG's old project, the podcast, which premiered new songs in digital format regularly, from which the choice cuts were culled and pressed to disk. I guess Venue Songs is also similar, another project that produced a number of songs that were later collected as an album. Though these examples are different in their ways from Glean. Is there some relevant press release? ~ magbatz 17:20, 11 April 2015 (EDT)

While I understand your point, I don't agree. Neither of those were being promoted as "a new album" like Glean is with, yes, press releases (see Girlie Action), promotional photos, appearances on radio and (presumably) TV, etc. --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 18:33, 11 April 2015 (EDT)

What's the deal with this 'Aaa' song?

Just a weird title for a non-kids album, kind of inscrutable. Anyone know anything about it?

I know there was a sample up for it somewhere, but I'm trying to be as spoiler-free as possible, so I didn't listen. Personally, I find the title very intriguing. Maybe it's just a John screaming for two minutes? --Self Called Nowhere (talk) 01:00, 13 April 2015 (EDT)

I listened to the sample and it was really really good ~ veggieman 03:52, 13 April 2015 (EDT)

Where did you find the sample? I'm really trying to avoid the temptation of listening, as I'd like to have at least two new tracks to hear on album day, but I also want the option to be tempted... Kind of an exercise in restraint.

Samples are on the Amazon Japan site:

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B00VLA8SF2/?hc_location=ufi

It's been a good year for TMBG.

Just got my IFC package with the Glean CD. Transcribing the lyrics to Aaa now. — User:ACupOfCoffee@ 19:26, 15 April 2015 (EDT)

Cover artwork

The anatomical drawing is of the human salivary glands, is part of a larger drawing by Frank Netter, and is available for purchase here — User:ACupOfCoffee@ 20:43, 15 April 2015 (EDT)

The anatomical image on the alternate cover is this one by the Nazi dean of the medical school at the University of Vienna, Edouard Pernkopf. — User:ACupOfCoffee@ 21:03, 15 April 2015 (EDT)

Same recordings as Dial-a-Song?

For those that are getting their albums, are the tracks the exact same as the Dial-a-Song tracks? As in, is there any reason to hang on to the DAS versions once you get the album? -Joltman (talk) 13:13, 17 April 2015 (EDT)

The mastering is definitely different (the CD is louder, slightly punchier and more shiny-sounding) but I don't know if there are any mix differences. Either way completists will need both, though I'm probably going to get the CDs discounted later rather than on release. ~SirDarrell

UPDATE: Most of that was in my mind. Just lined both LP and web mixes of a couple of tracks together, and while the masterings are not *identical* (the LP has a TINY edge more compression/volume), they have identical EQ and mixes. Ignore everything I ever say from now on. ~SirDarrell

Yes, they are the same exact mixes, but mastered for CD. Mastering is only slightly different.

Also, I'd like to stress again that the *mix* of "Good to Be Alive" is different from the video (and Video Jail) version and mp3/CD. Most notably, there are an extra two measures of drum track before the track kicks in. I mentioned this on the GtbA page, and I still believe it really should be noted somewhere.

One very expensive song

I already have dial a song direct and got my Glean today. Aaa is a good song, but I am thinking I paid a lot for that one song. It went to a group/cause I support, but still.--Pittsburghmuggle (talk) 15:52, 21 April 2015 (EDT)

Adding: TWO songs, the instrumental "Glean" was fun, and not the one I thought.--Pittsburghmuggle (talk) 15:56, 21 April 2015 (EDT)

Take a fresh listen

With Glean being out for several months now and a whole raft of new songs since then, I decided it was time to give it another listen. When TMBG released each song individually, I will admit that it dampened my excitement somewhat for the actual album. Some of the songs they included were not my favorite. However, listening again, I'd like to say that it holds up as a very good album.

Every release by this band has been wildly eclectic, and this is no different. From bracing, relatively straight-ahead rockers like "Erase" and "Unpronounceable", to left-field entries like "Next in Line" or "Operation", this album just keeps your head spinning as to where they're going next. Even the songs I initially didn't care for as much, like "Underwater Woman" and "I'm a Coward" fit smoothly in their place. I found myself singing along and bobbing my head to tracks I had previously set aside.

In other words, just like every other TMBG album, its eclecticism is its greatest asset. Bravo, gentlemen! --MisterMe (talk) 00:01, 15 November 2015 (EST)