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They Might Be Giants - Istanbul (Not Constantinople) Audio CD

A fair review of the They Might Be Giants "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all They Might Be Giants reviews here, or go back to the They Might Be Giants tabs.

They Might Be Giants Band: They Might Be Giants
Title: Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
Rating:
Release Date: 1990-05-30
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [LP Version] 2: James K. Polk 3: Stormy Pinkness 4: Ant 5: Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [Brownsville Mix]

This is a recording
In addition to the regular version of "Istanbul", there is also a pretty cool extended remix of that song. This is the single version of "Instanbul(Not Constantinople)", which is one of They Might Be Giants most popular songs. 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
I'd say that's generally the case with EP's. 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). 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.


previously unreleased songs in hiding
I am surprised that no one else has ever reviewed this single, despite it being out of print and "hard to find". Istanbul (Not Constantinople) is arguably TMBG's most famous song. But I digress. . .

Three of the five songs on this EP can not be found on any of TMBG's albums (*to the best of my knowledge). As such, this single is a must-have for TMBG collectors and die-hard fans, but a questionable purchase when someone with a marginal knowledge / appreciation of John & John considers hunting it down. It contains two versions of Istanbul - the original and a remix, which is sounds like a cross between a Janet Jackson song and a tv show theme song, with several cartoonish references to tornados. (Note: I originally compared this to a cross of Janet Jackson and the Wizard of Oz, but it seems I have confused people). The other songs are a mixed bag. . .

James K. Polk, 3:19 - cute song, steeped with historical facts surrounding it's namesake's 1844 Presidential run. Catchy lyrics, but the beat gets kind of repetitive after a bit.

Stormy Pinkness, 1:12 - short, slow-paced unusual TMBG fare. I didn't care for it.

Ant, 1:54 - addictive and upbeat (yet typical) TMBG fare with a guitar riff reminiscent of several songs from the Miscellaneous T album.


You can see a complete list of all They Might Be Giants discography, or go back to the They Might Be Giants tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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