Gigantic - They Might Be Giants
A Documentary Film About the Alternative Rock Band TMBG
Jun 11, 2009
Gigantic (2002) is an independent documentary film about They Might Be Giants, a most unlikely band that is hard to categorize musically. More often than not, TMBG is termed as alternative rock. Strangely enough John Linnell and John Flansburgh, the core members and founders of TMBG, got their start in New York City performing on the same ticket as performance artists like Karen Finley in the East Village in the 1980s.
John Linnell and John Flansburgh
The best part of Gigantic is getting to know the two Johns better. John Linnell appears to be the main songwriter for the band, though songwriting credits are attributed to They Might be Giants. John Flansburgh appears to be more skilled in the business side of the band and adds his killer guitar playing into the musical mix. Both Johns sing, though it is perhaps the more edged, nasal voice of John Linnell that we are most familiar with as lead singer in hits such as Birdhouse in Your Soul and You're Not the Boss of Me (from the TV show Malcolm in the Middle).
As a way of getting more acquainted with the two Johns, Gigantic shows Linnell and Flansburgh answering questions together, seated outside with a cityscape in the background. Both men are charming and funny, guarded and exuberant. We also have the fun of hearing the insights of their articulate fans including: Frank Black, Jon Stewart, Syd Straw, Ira Glass and Sarah Vowell. (You may remember Sarah Vowell from The Daily Show with John Stewart, The Colbert Report and The Late Show with David Letterman.) We are also treated to celebrities such as Harry Shearer and Michael McKean giving readings of lyrics of TMBG Songs. These acting veterans give a reading of They Might be Giants song lyrics that sounds simultaneously like a poem and sentences from an absurdist short story.
A Band Kids Love
They Might Be Giants may be perceived as being only popular with adults, but with the release of No! in 1999, TMBG reached out to their younger fans. It makes sense. Kathy O'Connell of Kids Corner on WXPN in Philadelphia always plays Istanbul and Bird House in Your Soul. Why? Kids love TMBG.
The most often quoted TMBG lyric in this film is from the song Don't Let's Start that says, "Everyone dies frustrated and sad and that is beautiful." This one sentence sums up the worldview of They Might Be Giants: Life can be darkly optimistic. Directed by AJ Schnack and 102 minutes long this fun documentary is not just for TMBG Geeks!
Check out the TMBG website and family of websites including: The General Site, The TMBG Kids Site and the Dial-a-Song Site. The Giants offer a very cool desktop clock radio that plays days worth of rare They Might Be Giant gems from the archive.
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