I’ve been a fan of They Might Be Giants for most of my life and have always been surprised that people universally disagree with me on this.
Linnell’s songs tend to be quirkier but also shallower. (State Songs is a good example here - there isnt a song for every state and theyre often abstract to the point of meaninglessness. I expected such a project to have more inspiration behind it.
I’ve always found Flansburgh’s more melodic and thoughtful, slightly better composed, and with a superior singing voice.
Of course they’re a great duo and they play off each other’s strengths. I don’t dislike Linnell at all, just the songs that he sings tend to not be my favorites.
They are popular among stoners and nerds, so many of my friends are fans as they fall into either or both groups.
Yeah the guy in highschool was both, and the guy at summer camp was a nerd. I haven’t heard Particle Man, or Istanbul in 30 years, but I still remember all the lyrics. The songs are real ear worms.
I’m a nerd who likes wordplay and they have really interesting lyrics.
I’ve also found over time that most of the male singers I like are kinda nasal, so that might be part of what turns off others that I don’t mind.