Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas) [Live] - They Might Be Giants, Singer, Lou
Birdhouse in Your Soul [Live] - They Might Be Giants, Flansburgh, John
She's an Angel [Live]
XTC Vs. Adam Ant [Live]
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [Live] - They Might Be Giants, Kennedy, J.
Ana Ng [Live]
First Kiss [Live][#]
Ana Ng. - (live)
Particle Man [Live] - They Might Be Giants, Flansburgh, John
She's Actual Size [Live]
S-E-X-X-Y [Live]
Meet James Ensor - They Might Be Giants, Flansburgh, John
Till My Head Falls Off [Live]
About Me
Planet of the Apes - They Might Be Giants,
Return to the Planet of the Apes - They Might Be Giants,
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes - They Might Be Giants,
Beneath the Planet of the Apes - They Might Be Giants,
This Ape's for You - They Might Be Giants,
America's seminal geek rockers They Might Be Giants have been outsmarting every other act on the college-radio scene since the late '80s. Severe Tire Damage is the band's first live album, and surprisingly, it manages to b... more »e whimsical without being self-indulgent. TMBG's nucleus of John Linnell and John Flansburgh up the ante of fun on old favorites like "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," "Ana Ng," and "Birdhouse in Your Soul" while also offering us more realized versions of should've-been-hits like "XTC Vs. Adam Ant" and "She's Actual Size." The Giants' backing band adds unexpected depth to the material, which also includes five new songs (and a hidden epilogue of live improvisation themed around the Planet of the Apes films). Many of the old fans who wrote They Might Be Giants off after Apollo 18 are advised to come back to the fold and see what the boys have been up to. --Jason Josephes« less
America's seminal geek rockers They Might Be Giants have been outsmarting every other act on the college-radio scene since the late '80s. Severe Tire Damage is the band's first live album, and surprisingly, it manages to be whimsical without being self-indulgent. TMBG's nucleus of John Linnell and John Flansburgh up the ante of fun on old favorites like "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," "Ana Ng," and "Birdhouse in Your Soul" while also offering us more realized versions of should've-been-hits like "XTC Vs. Adam Ant" and "She's Actual Size." The Giants' backing band adds unexpected depth to the material, which also includes five new songs (and a hidden epilogue of live improvisation themed around the Planet of the Apes films). Many of the old fans who wrote They Might Be Giants off after Apollo 18 are advised to come back to the fold and see what the boys have been up to. --Jason Josephes
"As a representation of their live act, it's not even close: nevermind the lack of crowd noise and stage banter, most of it isn't even from actual shows. It's 'live in studio' and soundcheck recordings, with overdubs galore.As a career retrospective, it doesn't work either. They seem to have attempted a 'best of' line-up here, but left off important singles like "Don't Let's Start" and "The Statue Got Me High". Who cares? Hits that are included, like "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and "Ana Ng", are slowed down and given strained vocal deliveries.But most importantly, it's just not a very enjoyable CD. Theres no flow, and it pales in comparison to their work in the studio. People who want a good overview of their career should get the 2-disc DIAL-A-SONG anthology. People who want to hear them live should get tickets to a show - they're lots of fun. You wouldn't know that from SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE.I'd say it's worth it for "Dr. Worm" and the rocking "Why Does The Sun Shine?", but those made it to DIAL-A-SONG. The only thing I really pull this out for is the power-pop version of "First Kiss", later transformed into a ballad for their Mink Car album."
A Deffent MUST HAVE
crazyweirdkool | San francisco, CA United States | 08/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think if you heard all of these songs before (except the hidden tracks and Dr.Worm, which are all new) on other albums and want to hear them a little defferently, then you should soo buy this alblum. The bonus tracks are kind of weird on the first listen but once you get used to them they are really cool.
"Why Does The Sun Shine" is a great song and the two best verisons of it are on this ablum and on TMBG's Direct From Brooklyn DVD (which has a live 2002 concert video of it).
"XTC VS. ADAM ANT" has a great beginning with the electric guitar.
"They Got Lost" sounds way cooler here than on the They Got Lost cd (you can check it out at tmbg.com).
"First Kiss" I think the Mink Car version of it is longer, but both are equally cool.
"Meet James Ensor" The trumpets make more sense on the John Henry cd, but this version makes me laugh when the Johns make the trumpet sounds.
For the other songs on this cd you will have to listen them yourself. It's not because the other songs on this cd are bad or anything because all the songs are great, in my opinion. I just want you to buy this cd and check it out for yourself.
And for the hardcore TMBG fans check out the They Got Lost cd at tmbg.com It's pretty cool once you get used to it.
But before you buy that cd you must buy this one!"
Strange album
alex bushman | Michigan | 03/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The concept is supposed to a mix of live album stuff with studio songs thrown in as well. It's works for me, but I would have loved to hear their versions of other classic songs by them and instead there are new songs and strange improvisations on watching "Planet of the Apes." I mainly give this album a good rating because the new live versions of songs make them sound more refreshing and louder as well and the studio tracks aren't bad either, the "...Apes" tracks are hit and miss, though."
Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for They Must
Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 05/30/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a mostly live album by They Might Be Giants. In addition to the live recordings, there are three new studio recordings. "Doctor Worm" is a great song that has become a favorite of TMBG fans. "Severe Tire Damage Theme" is a brief instrumental. "About Me" isn't so much a song as a song fragment. The live songs were recorded at various venues, as opposed to a live album that features songs from one specific concert. What's interesting to me is that the live versions of the songs have very different arrangements than their studio counterparts. Most of these live recordings are very good. There are six unlisted bonus tracks, which are all improvised live songs about Planet of the Apes, of all things. These ad libbed songs are not very good, to be frank. Overall, though, the album is quite enjoyable."