This is a recording
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 06/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the single version of "Instanbul(Not Constantinople)", which is one of They Might Be Giants most popular songs. In addition to the regular version of "Istanbul", there is also a pretty cool extended remix of that song. There are also three previously unavailable "b-sides". The great "James K. Polk" became a popular concert staple. (It was rerecorded several years later for the Factory Showroom album.) "Stormy Pinkness" is a short song that is nothing special. "Ant" is a pretty good song. Recommended to They Might Be Giants fans."
Get it if you're a TMBG fan
Nathan M DeHoff | Absurd City | 09/17/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I pretty much agree with the other reviewer: this is a must-have for hardcore TMBG fans, but not something a casual fan or someone just getting interested in the band really needs to get (at least not right away). I'd say that's generally the case with EP's. Anyway, I think "Istanbul" is a rather strange choice for a single, since TMBG didn't even write it. The remix of this song is excellent, though, containing samples from many different sources (but none from The Wizard of Oz, as far as I know). It's possibly the best remix of a TMBG song. "James K. Polk" is also available on Factory Showroom, but fans will probably want to hear this earlier version, with "la la" vocals instead of the singing saw during the bridge. "Ant" and "Stormy Pinkness" aren't exactly TMBG's best work, but they're enjoyable, and definitely worth having. If you have all of TMBG's albums, I would recommend getting this (and all of their other EP's) as well."