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They Might Be Giants - Here Comes Science

Nerd-rock at its very best. TMBG are perhaps best known as the duo behind "Don't Lets Start", "Birdhouse in Your Soul", an accordion version of the Allman Brothers' "Jessica" and "Why Does the Sun Shine" (Which I believe they did not write).

Here Comes Science is something of a young adults album, and is something of a sequel to their childrens' albums about ABCs and 123s. This one being for slightly older audiences. It features songs about hypothesis formation ("Put It To the Test"), paleontology ("I Am A Paleontologist"), the updated hypotheses on what the sun is really made of "Why Does the Sun Really Shine", and much much more. Many of the songs are pretty whacky sounding. "Photosynthesis" sounds like something Kraftwerk would have made if they had one iota of musical talent, and "Science Is Real" and "How Many Planets" are just goofy both musically and lyrically. "Roy G. Biv" has a early 2000s indy disco dance beat to it while "I Am A Paleontoligst" and "Why does the Sun Shine" can easily pass of as pop-punk top 40 with smarter lyrics, and no references to cutting one's self.

My favorite songs on the album are "Why does the Sun Really Shine" and "Electric Car". "Why Does the Sun Really Shine" http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLkGSV9WDMA&feature=related is built around a wonderful jazzy soul riff, and has a great self-referential joke within it. Besides with a chorus that goes "PLASMA!! Electrons are free", how can you go wrong?

"Electric Car" is just a really pretty song with once again a great jazzy soul chorus.

TMBG have struck gold with this album. Wonderful listening for music lovers and a great teaching tool for kids and scientifically illiterate adults alike. Check it out, or be like me and have your sister-in-law burn you a copy.

Shhh!