The Spine
by They Might Be Giants
  • Record Label: Zoe
  • Release Date: Jul 13, 2004
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Mojo
    60
    Nothing on The Spine drills into your cerebral cortex and demands to be whistled on public transport like earlier hits, but the tunes are agreeable enough. [Aug 2004, p.99]
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  2. Blender
    60
    Too often... their ideas are dead ends. [Aug 2004, p.140]
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  3. Under The Radar
    60
    Another solid addition to the Giants' catalogue, but as with their last few records, it doesn't seem likey they put their back into it. [#7]
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  5. AllMusic
    60
    Even if The Spine is decidedly uneven, it still has enough good songs to please diehard fans and keep them around for the next album.
  6. Junkmedia
    60
    Solid, if unspectacular.
  7. Rolling Stone
    60
    They might not be as manic and frantic... But The Spine rocks without any loss of wit or melody.
  8. Q Magazine
    60
    Alas, for all its genuine charm and the way the two Johns genre-hop without leaving footprints, The Spine lacks the spark of true greatness. [Aug 2004, p.119]
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  9. Pitchfork
    53
    Not a bad album, yet contains too many mediocre tracks to be comforting.
  10. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    At least 40 per cent of 'The Spine' is really rather charming. [3 Jul 2004, p.65]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    50
    For most of The Spine, They Might Be Giants hammers its quirks into predictable shapes, mistaking catchy for listenable ("Prevenge"), layering on effects to bolster the dull ("Bastard Wants To Hit Me"), and generally delivering what's expected.
  12. Tiny Mix Tapes
    40
    "It's Kickin' In" sounds like Linnell doing karaoke over a failed garage rock single, and most of the rest sounds like, well, Fountains of Wayne.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. JasonF
    Jul 19, 2007
    2
    Museum of Idiots is an excellent song but the rest of the album isn't up to their usual high standard. I really wanted to like this Museum of Idiots is an excellent song but the rest of the album isn't up to their usual high standard. I really wanted to like this album, but ultimately I think the song writing on this one was weak.… Full Review »
  2. WesleyM
    Apr 10, 2006
    9
    Agreed with Chuckie Mustdie. A strong, consistent effort that brings us several of TMBG's best since John Henry.
  3. Sean
    Dec 7, 2005
    8
    I thought it was awesome 'til I bought "Flood." Now I know better. It's still a-pretty-pretty-good. Ignore John M and that reviewer I thought it was awesome 'til I bought "Flood." Now I know better. It's still a-pretty-pretty-good. Ignore John M and that reviewer from The Guardian. Hell, "Birdhouse in Your Soul" was a top 10 hit in the UK (number 6 if I'm not mistaken), so I think he's one of the very few Brits who don't get TMBG.… Full Review »
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