Then: The Earlier Years:They Might Be Giants

Artist: They Might Be Giants

Date Released: 1997

Label: Restless

Produced By: Bill Krauss

Tracklisting:

Disc 1
 * 1) Everything Right Is Wrong Again
 * 2) Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head
 * 3) Number Three
 * 4) Don't Let's Start (Single Mix)
 * 5) Hide Away Folk Family
 * 6) 32 Footsteps
 * 7) Toddler Hiway
 * 8) Rabid Child
 * 9) Nothing's Gonna Change My Clothes
 * 10) (She Was A) Hotel Detective (Album Mix)
 * 11) She's An Angel
 * 12) Youth Culture Killed My Dog
 * 13) Boat Of Car
 * 14) Absolutely Bill's Mood
 * 15) Chess Piece Face
 * 16) I Hope That I Get Old Before I Die
 * 17) Alienation's For The Rich
 * 18) The Day
 * 19) Rhythm Section Want Ad
 * 20) We're The Replacements
 * 21) When It Rains It Snows
 * 22) The Famous Polka
 * 23) They Might Be Giants
 * 24) For Science
 * 25) The Biggest One
 * 26) Kiss Me, Son Of God (Alternate Version)
 * 27) Mr. Klaw
 * 28) Critic Intro
 * 29) Now That I Have Everything
 * 30) Mainstream U.S.A.
 * 31) Fake Out In Buenos Aires
 * 32) Greek #3
 * 33) I Hope That I Get Old Before I Die (Original Version)
 * 34) I'm Def (edit)
 * 35) Don't Let's Start (Demo Version)
 * 36) '85 Radio Special Thank You

Disc 2
 * 1) Ana Ng
 * 2) Cowtown
 * 3) Lie Still, Little Bottle
 * 4) Purple Toupee
 * 5) Cage And Aquarium
 * 6) Where Your Eyes Don't Go
 * 7) Piece Of Dirt
 * 8) Mr. Me
 * 9) Pencil Rain
 * 10) The World's Address
 * 11) I've Got A Match
 * 12) Santa's Beard
 * 13) You'll Miss Me
 * 14) They'll Need A Crane
 * 15) Shoehorn With Teeth
 * 16) Stand On Your Own Head
 * 17) Snowball In Hell
 * 18) Kiss Me, Son Of God
 * 19) Hello Radio
 * 20) It's Not My Birthday
 * 21) I'll Sink Manhattan
 * 22) Nightgown Of The Sullen Moon
 * 23) The World's Address (Joshua Fried Remix)
 * 24) Hey, Mr. DJ, I Thought You Said We Had A Deal
 * 25) Lady Is A Tramp
 * 26) Birds Fly
 * 27) Kitten Intro
 * 28) Weep Day
 * 29) The Big Big Whoredom
 * 30) I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
 * 31) Become A Robot
 * 32) Which Describes How You're Feeling
 * 33) Swing Is A Word
 * 34) Doris Cunningham
 * 35) Counterfeit Fake
 * 36) Schoolchildren Singing "Particle Man"

Review: In 1997, Restless put out a collection of the first two albums, along with the EPs and a bunch of bonus tracks. If you don't mind starting with a 2 CD set, this is a great place to start, as it's got both Lincoln and Miscellaneous T, which are really great albums (though the latter's split across two discs), and the bonus tracks, mostly culled from the 1985 Demo Tape and Dial-A-Song (Free when you call from work, 718-387-6962) range from the lost gem ("Now That I Have Everything" to the amusing toss-off ("Counterfeit Fake", the first song recorded with John Flansburgh's new-at-the-time drum machine). Definitely pick this up, even if you're new to the band.  - Rev. Syung Myung Me