Some songs such as “The Cap’m” and “Climbing the Walls” will probably sound better when played live at concerts. Not that they aren’t interesting on the album, they just sound as though a live performance would allow for a more justified buildup and release.

They Might Be Giants new album “The Else,” their 12th studio album so far, has a fresh breath of geek rock that hasn’t been heard for some time. First time listeners to TMBG should know that they are an acquired taste; the listener cannot listen to the album once and immediately pick up on all the subtle details that make the harmonics sound different from the flood of other alternative music.

Producers Pat Dillett and The Dust Brothers helped TMBG in producing the album. The Dust Brothers influence of electronic style of loops is nicely utilized in an alternative stylized setting.

Songs like “I’m Impressed” and “Bee of the Bird of the Moth,” requires a listener to read the lyrics for them self to allow a much deeper and enjoyable listening experience. It is wonderful that a band can take a few jabs at the current state of the country, yet when the country has been stupefied it can easily be missed from its context.

Some songs such as “The Cap’m” and “Climbing the Walls” will probably sound better when played live at concerts. Not that they aren’t interesting on the album, they just sound as though a live performance would allow for a more justified buildup and release.

Tracks “Careful What You Pack” and “Withered Hope” have a light and airy melody that carries throughout. “Careful What You Pack” features a lovely 8-bit gaming style opening that leads into a sweet lullaby nuance. “Withered Hope” has a wonderful buildup that climbs and climbs with the help of some wonderful instrumentals.

“The Else” is a solid addition to They Might Be Giants’ growing discography. Combining elements of techno and alternative music styles, “The Else” can hold the listener in a state of awe, instilling lyrics into their mind. The lack of a clear single is nice because it would otherwise take away from the solid performance overall.

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