They Might Be Giants are known to be unorthodox when it comes to making music. The two Johns seem to be able to use any instrument or find some weird recording technique to produce a song. And they will never disappoint in giving you something different with each album they come out with. But most importantly every album of theirs is a fun and entertaining listen, and nothing sums up those two adjectives then They Might Be Giants’ debut album. Look at this album cover and tell me you don’t feel just a bit happier after looking at it.
It all began with this track. “Everything Right Is Wrong Again”, is about exactly what the song title tells you. Everything is going bad and the narrator only wants to know when things get better again. And while this may be a bit dire, this is all sung against some of the happiest music that’s been written. Sometimes it reminds me of that kind of music that would be a theme tune to a comedy show or something (there’s just something about that chord progression during the “all the dishes” part that makes me feel it should be in a cartoon). Or it may just be the reference to a comedy film that is made in the refrain.
I think if you were to ask me what track I thought really depicted what They Might Be Giants are all about, it would probably have to be this one. Most of the themes the group use are covered in the two-and-a-half minutes “Everything” lasts for and the track is cleverly written with humorous lyrics and busy rhythm. It slows down only for the middle section before resetting back to its original pace for the last chorus, where the keyboards rise in volume and perform the most joyous, almost-classical sounding piece of music bringing a triumphant end to a brilliant opening track. The fun carries on for eighteen more songs after.
The post is over now.
The Music in My Ears 
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