"John Henry" started off as a bit of a disappointment to They Might Be Giants fans. The addition of an entire band at first seemed to detract from the Giants' original use of accordions, quirky lyrics and other strange fare. But, after seeing the album performed live, many unsure listeners were convinced that the album wasn't all bad. One can only hope that seeing the material performed live will work the same magic for "Factory Showroom," the Giants' latest album.
Though they do retain the band, "Factory Showroom" seems to lose many of the distinctive traits of previous albums. The lyrics aren't as funny, the songs aren't as catchy and nearly all of them sound like what the Giants would formerly have put in the bin marked "B-Sides." Not surprisingly, two of the songs have been culled from that exact place. But true fans need not fear. While "Factory Showroom" may be disheartening at first listen, it does have some standouts which are worthy of a second glance.
"Factory Showroom" begins with "S-E-X-X-Y," a clever funk parody with a disco flavor. Covering more uncharted territory, the Giants continue with "Till My Head Falls Off," a surf-style ditty that will leave you humming long after the CD stops its rotation. Unfortunately, this is where the fun stops, for the time being. Though the Giants get a boost from covering the Cub's "New York City," they lose for ridding the song of its original sexy appeal. "XTC vs. Adam Ant"'s title sounds like it would be a winner, but the song is surprisingly unfunny. Fortunately, the Giants are redeemed by "I Can Hear You." Recorded on Thomas Edison's wax-cylinder equipment, the song pokes fun at lo-fi voice transmitting devices through the ages. It is in this song that They Might Be Giants' true humor shines through with lines like, "I can supersize that, please bring your car around," and "You can hear a buzz, that I'm buzzing you in." This is the one song that manages to be both elegant and witty and, unfortunately, under two minutes. "The Bells Are Ringing" is another Giants classic with rapid lyrics, melody and a well-suited snare drum. As you can see, "Factory Showroom" is not without charm, but this charm is too little too late.
Fortunately, They Might Be Giants will soon begin touring for this album and its quite possible that these songs will surprise listeners live. Unfortunately, for now, this album can be put at the bottom of the heap of the Giants' previously outstanding recordings.
- Lise Harwin
Sort of like New Coke to good old regular, Sammy is to Pavement - a smoother, blander version of a classic. Sammy distills the half-mumbled, half sung vocals, loopy guitars, off-kilter percussion and sunny pop hooks that Pavement made their own, and slavish imitators that they are, Sammy can't chart the heights that Pavement reach.
That said, Sammy's major-label debut "Tales of Great Neck Glory" is a fun, if derivative album. Singer Jesse Hartman has a cheeky, knowing style on songs like "Neptune Ave. (Ortho Hi Rise)" and "Blue Oyster Bay" that makes the group's five-finger discount style of song writing enjoyable as a sort of in-joke between Sammy and its audience. While it may not be the real thing yet, "Tales of Great Neck Glory" provides some entertaining listening.
- Heather Phares
It is entirely possible that they are giants, just look at 'em!