Like the Bunnymen and their Echo, They Might Be Giants originally performed and recorded with a drum machine. That includes all the way to their breakthrough album, Flood.
Flood turned 30 last year, which is weird since I’m pretty sure it was just yesterday. The Giants have been churning out genius for decades now.
I’ve always imagined John Henry, the first with a full band, must have felt like such a release. You can hear the joy. I love this song’s lyrics, showcasing the band’s penchant for clever allusions and repetitive wordplay.
When I made a shadow on my window shade
They called the police and testified
But they’re like the people chained up in the cave
In the allegory of the people in the cave by the Greek guy
I love this song and album. But I confess my favorite is their last album before the live band, Apollo 18.