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I Like Fun
by
I Like Fun Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

  • Summary: The 20th full-length studio release for the Brooklyn duo of John Flansburgh and John Linnell was mixed by Patrick Dillett.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Paste Magazine
    Jan 24, 2018
    89
    I Like Fun rocks unabashedly.
  2. The Wire
    Feb 23, 2018
    80
    I Like Fun isn’t as dazzlingly hyperkinetic as 2013’s Nanobots but retains the rich melodic content, complex songcraft and dynamic impact of 2015’s Glean and 2016’s Phone Power. It’s also their funkiest album since 2007’s Dust Brothers-assisted The Else. [Feb 2018, p.56]
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  3. Magnet
    Apr 17, 2018
    80
    Musically, it's another melodic goldmine and their most vigorous, least fussy work in ages. [No. 150, p.57]
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  4. Exclaim
    Jan 17, 2018
    70
    I Like Fun remains a strong, if not exactly noteworthy album, simply because TMBG are a strong band that can pull off anything at this point, and although newcomers looking for examples of their late-career excellence should probably start with recent gems like Glean or Nanobots, longtime fans will find much to like here, crunchy guitars and all.
  5. AllMusic
    Jan 19, 2018
    70
    Even when the Johns' sentiments are morbid, I Like Fun's music seizes the joy of the moment.
  6. Mojo
    Jan 17, 2018
    60
    The set includes some tender spots, but dire wins the day. Thankfully, it's on occasion leavened. [Feb 2018, p.94]
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  7. The Skinny
    Jan 17, 2018
    40
    TMBG’s 20th album, I LIke Fun, doesn’t mess with the template too much. If you come to this record knowing only the TMBG song used as the soundtrack to Malcolm in the Middle, you’ll get a hearty helping of everything there is to like--and, yes dislike.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. Beelerzebub
    Feb 11, 2018
    9
    Upon first listening, I wasn't quite sure what to make of "I Like Fun," They Might Be Giants' 20th studio album. After a few successiveUpon first listening, I wasn't quite sure what to make of "I Like Fun," They Might Be Giants' 20th studio album. After a few successive listens, I can safely say that this is some of their best work yet. The songs sound very much like the ones on Glean and Phone Power; however, this feels much more like a full album, as opposed to the other two which felt more like a compilation of various songs. The tunes have a very bright sound for the most part, but are lyrically cynical and sometimes disturbing. If you aren't a They Might Be Giants fan, at least give it a listen. The entire album is up on YouTube and Spotify, and if you are, then give it a few listens and I think you'll end up loving it.… Expand
  2. Gabby1
    Feb 17, 2018
    9
    I really enjoyed this offering from TMBG, I have been following them since the old days in Williamsburg and my nephew is one of theirI really enjoyed this offering from TMBG, I have been following them since the old days in Williamsburg and my nephew is one of their greatest fans. This album is much more adult in orientation (appropriate as they are getting older,) and more overtly political. I wish the lyrics had been included, as they usually are, and that the art direction of the package was a little less silly. This had a little less cuteness and a little more experimentalism than their previous efforts. Kudos for doing this for so long!… Expand

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Shared Album of 2018

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