Lincoln cover
Released

Lincoln is probably the best place to start if you want to get a sense of They Might Be Giants. While various aspects of the band’s sound have shifted over time, the basic — I don’t want to say “formula,” but, well, formula — has stayed the same: incredibly hooky and inventive music and unbelievably oddball (but tremendously clever and often hilarious) lyrics. At a very real level, They Might Be Giants are a novelty band — but one with the depth and chops necessary to achieve global popularity. On Lincoln, highlights include “Ana Ng” and the third-person breakup song “They’ll Need a Crane,” but the whole thing is a blast.

Rick Anderson

Recommended by

Suggestions
Candylion cover

Candylion

Gruff Rhys
Keep It Hid cover

Keep It Hid

Dan Auerbach
All Shook Down cover

All Shook Down

The Replacements
Beyond cover

Beyond

Dinosaur Jr.
Head West cover

Head West

Martin Zellar
Forever cover

Forever

Lilly Hiatt
Going to Hell cover

Going to Hell

The Pretty Reckless