They Might Be Giants are currently on tour through Europe and will continue in the USA, Canada and Australia afterwards. Last week, I saw them in legendary Amsterdam venue Paradiso, where they apparently never played before. It was a great 2,5 hour long gig in two parts, including lots of improvising, humour, songs that deserved to have been hits and of course the ‘ill-advised live fade-out’.

Front men John Flansburgh and John Linnell had four great multi-instrumentalists around them, playing their way through four decades of songs and song snippets. Yes, you read that right: They Might Be Giants already exist over 35 years, and I’ve been a fan since their 1990 break-through album Flood. Thankfully, many of the album’s songs still make their live set.

In the years between then and now, the Brooklyn band released many hundreds of songs. Via singles, almost 30 albums and their infamous Dial-A-Song service (via telephone and online), which features a new song (or idea) every week(!).

The latest track to be released via Dial-A-Song, and subsequently through the streaming platforms, is the brilliant The Communists Have The Music. Doing what they do best, it’s a witty, somewhat political, über catchy piece of nerd pop. An instant TMBG classic with the melodic hooks the band is renowned for.

I couldn’t stand this opportunity to (re)introduce you to this great band, and made The Communists Have The Music the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. My pleasure to put it in your face (and ears, especially) a whole week long. Enjoy!

Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.