They Might Be Giants’s Flood is sort of this mad scientist pop rock experiment, one that’s equal parts absurdist theater, brainy satire, and manic energy all wrapped into one. Make no mistake, this album is most certainly a nerdfest. It’s packed with obscure references to President James K. Polk, particle physics, New York City infrastructure, and postmodern anxiety and delivered with a carnival-like glee sense of deadpan humor. But what makes Flood more than a novelty is that John Linnell and John Flansburgh integrate these obscure references into tightly coiled songs that are simply fun as hell to listen. It’s a rare record that can bounce from the poppy sheen of “Birdhouse in Your Soul” to a polka-driven cover of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” without feeling disjointed.
Standout Songs: “Birdhouse in Your Soul”, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)”, “Someone Keeps Moving My Chair”, “Minimum Wage”
