They Might Be Giants John Henry CD

 Sub-par but still good
In the beginning TMBG was just two members (John& John) and it was good. Then on this album they added a backup band and it was not so good. This album lacks the feel its predecessors have. I believe that the change comes from the studio inexperience of an full ensemble. If you are looking for your first TMBG album your money will be better spent on Flood, Apollo 18, or Mink Car in my opinion. If you are already a fan looking to fill out your collection this is a good choice because it fleshes out their work and gives it more depth. All in all it is a They Might Be Giants album and that at least makes it better then 50% of the other choices out there.
Submitted by a7822147402 (Fort Wayne, IN, USA)
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 The Fave of a Big Fan
This is the most misunderstood of all TMBG's releases. I remember the fans' reactions at the time - "but they're not using a drum machine!" However, once you get used to the "actual band" sound, it turns out this one holds up with Flood as their two finest. The songs are very catchy, and for the first time they are full of actual rock energy as well. Great guitar solos (My Plan)! Great big fat bass sounds (Out of Jail)! A guest band (Forsake Me)!?! And the peculiar and dangerous ideas still abound (AKA Driver, Self Called Nowhere). This was also the bands best tour, with a full horn section and only John on guitar. I remember them coming onstage and saying in that famous rock and roll cliche way "We're playing our whole new album, top to bottom!" I was delighted, and you will be too. Just buy it already!
Submitted by info (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
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 Totally Off the Mark
I first heard "John Henry" when it was released in 1994. My first reaction after hearing it through was "My God, they've lost the magic." Years later, I still consider this their worst album. Nearly every song is a lackluster production -- a former shadow of the wit and wordplay that was so prevalent in their eponymous debut album up to "Apollo 18". Highlights are "Unrelated Thing", "AKA Driver", "Extra Savoir-Faire", "Meet James Ensor" and "The End of the Tour". The rest (including the shapeless, boring, and overhyped "Spy") is filler at best and sub-sub-sub-par TMBG at worst. I really wanted to like this album, but this one proves that they can't ALL be gems.
Submitted by a reviewer (New Bedford, MA)
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 They Did It Again!!!!
The Johns finally figured out how to keep their unique zany brain-rock style of music alive and well while bringing in some more "sane" musicians to play. The result is a full, sometimes hard hitting, sometimes sweet sounding, always distinctive album with a super over-all impression. Buy it immeditally!
Submitted by miketmbg (Montoursville, PA)
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