News

In the late ’80s and early ’90s, They Might Be Giants earned a sterling reputation as one of the quirkiest bands around, creating hook-filled pop garnished with out-there lyrics and intricate, often unexpected arrangements. But as time goes on, how does one extend their musical legacy beyond the loyal fan base?

John Linnell and John Flansburgh figured out a most intriguing way of doing so ten years ago this month: they released No!, an album of original songs written with children in mind. (The album sleeve described it as their first “for the whole family.”) Known primarily at the time for almost uncomfortably off-kilter subject material in their tunes, No! – with tracks like “Robot Parade,” “Where Do They Make Balloons?” and “Clap Your Hands” – was fun for all. It was also a huge success, topping Billboard‘s Kid Album chart and setting the stage for another three children’s albums produced in conjunction with Walt Disney Records throughout the next decade.

On June 25, TMBG will digitally expand No! for its 10th anniversary, featuring no less than seven bonus tracks. There’s a new extended version of “Alphabet of Nations,” the original version of which featured on the band’s second kid’s album, Here Come the ABCs (2005), and six tracks taken from Almanac, a long out-of-print digital live album chronicling the band’s Spine on the Hiway Tour in 2004.

Hit the jump to place your order and check out one of the live tracks, which first premiered on The Onion‘s AV Club.

They Might Be Giants, No! 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Idlewild, 2012)

1. Fibber Island
2. Four of Two
3. Robot Parade
4. No!
5. Where Do They Make Balloons?
6. In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle
7. Violin
8. John Lee Supertaster
9. The Edison Museum
10. The House at the Top of the Tree
11. Clap Your Hands
12. I Am Not Your Broom
13. Wake Up Call
14. I Am a Grocery Bag
15. Lazyhead and Sleepybones
16. Bed Bed Bed
17. Sleepwalkers
18. Alphabet of Nations (Extended Version)
19. John Lee Supertaster (Live @ The Fillmore, San Francisco – 8/14/2004)
20. Violin (Live @ Irving Plaza, New York City – 10/1/2004)
21. Clap Your Hands (Live @ the Variety Playhouse, Atlanta – 9/25/2004)
22. Robot Parade (Live @ The Orange Peel, Asheville, NC – 9/28/2004)
23. Dr. Worm (Live @ Irving Plaza, New York City – 10/1/2004)
24. Stalk of Wheat (Live @ Irving Plaza, New York City – 10/1/2004)

Tracks 1-17 released as Idlewild/Rounder LP 11661-8113-2, 2002
Original version of Track 18 from Here Come the ABCs (Idlewild/Disney Sound, 2005)
Tracks 19-24 released on Almanac digital live album (Idlewild, 2004)

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/48062400″ iframe=”true” /]