Description
They Might Be Giants - Phone Power – Vinyl Record
Released on March 8, 2016, Phone Power is the 19th studio album by They Might Be Giants (TMBG). It was initially part of their Dial-A-Song project, a yearlong initiative in which the band released a new song every week in 2015, before being compiled into a full-length album. The record follows a similar format to its predecessors Glean (2015) and Why? (2015), showcasing TMBG’s signature mix of quirky humor, infectious melodies, and eclectic instrumentation.
Musically, Phone Power delivers a blend of alternative rock, power pop, and the band’s signature offbeat lyricism. The album features playful, absurdist songwriting, intricate arrangements, and their usual mix of synths, guitars, brass, and electronic elements. It also includes a surprising cover of Destiny’s Child’s “Bills, Bills, Bills,” reimagined with a deadpan delivery and an ironic twist, making it one of the most memorable tracks on the album.
Track Highlights
“Apophenia” – A lively opener with a driving beat and surreal lyrics about seeing patterns where none exist, a classic TMBG theme.
“I Love You for Psychological Reasons” – One of the album’s catchiest tracks, featuring a bouncy melody and clever wordplay about love and the mind.
“To a Forest” – A darker, atmospheric track that feels more introspective and moody than the band’s usual fare.
“Bills, Bills, Bills” (Destiny’s Child Cover) – A hilariously unexpected, robotic-sounding rework of the 1999 R&B hit.
“Daylight” – A fast-paced, punk-inspired track that bursts with high energy and layered vocals.
“Sold My Mind to the Kremlin” – A playful yet eerily relevant song, touching on paranoia and conspiracy theories with a mix of dark humor and catchy riffs.
“I’ll Be Haunting You” – A spooky yet upbeat track that feels like a Halloween anthem, mixing ghostly themes with a peppy tune.
As always, TMBG’s lyrics are witty, surreal, and often deceptively deep. Themes range from love and paranoia to the absurdities of modern life, wrapped in the band’s signature clever wordplay. Many of the songs reflect a sense of existential dread hidden behind cheerful melodies, making them both amusing and strangely thought-provoking.
While Phone Power didn’t make a huge mainstream splash, it was well received by longtime fans. Many praised the album for its consistent energy, strong hooks, and quirky songwriting, proving that even after decades in the industry, They Might Be Giants remained as creative and unpredictable as ever.
If you enjoy TMBG’s mix of humor, wordplay, and catchy melodies, Phone Power is a fantastic listen. It might not be as well-known as classics like Flood (1990) or Lincoln (1988), but it’s a solid entry in their extensive catalog.
18 songs selected by They Might Be Giants from the second half of the Dial-A-Song project of 2015
Gatefold sleeve
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Apophenia
I Love You For Psychological Reasons
To A Forest
I Am Alone
Say Nice Things About Detroit
Trouble Awful Devil Evil
Ecnalubma
Daylight
Sold My Mind To The Kremlin
It Said Something
Impossibly New
I’ll Be Haunting You
Got Getting Up So Down
What Did I Do To You?
Shape Shifter
Bills, Bills, Bills
Black Ops Alt
I Wasn’t Listening
