this post was submitted on 18 Mar 2024

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Unpopular Opinion

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[GENERAL] John Flansburgh is a superior musician to John Linnell (self.unpopularopinion)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by Pronell to c/unpopularopinion

19 comments fedilink hide all child comments

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.

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[–] testfactor 7 points 7 months ago (2 children)

I think I'd need a side by side list to make an informed judgement.

[–] Jakdracula 3 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Yea, I’m not familiar with much of their stuff so I would like to hear it side-by-side comparison.

[–] Pronell 3 points 7 months ago

I'll come up with a list. Solid point.

[–] Pronell 3 points 7 months ago (3 children)

They've got such an extensive catalog it was hard to narrow down, so here's a top five of songs sung by each John:

John Linnell: Particle Man, We Want a Rock, Ana Ng, Birdhouse in Your Soul, and Doctor Worm

John Flansburgh: Lucky Ball and Chain, Cyclops Rock, New York City, Man It's so Loud in Here, Pet Name

Having made these lists, Flansburgh does more love songs, maybe that's my bias.

[–] testfactor 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I just looked it up, and Linnell also did "Let's Get This Over With," which is by far my favorite of their more recent stuff...

Yeah, I think I've just gotta disagree with you as well. "Dr Worm" is such a banger too...

Yeah, it's tough, cause I love pretty much all the Flansburgh you listed, but I think Linnell probably edges it out for me...

Yeah, I keep looking up other songs to try and make the case for Flansburgh, and they keep being Linnell. He also did "Contrecoup." And it looks like he's primary on "Older." I think all the songs that are immediately popping to mind are Linnell, so I guess that says something...

[–] Pronell 1 points 7 months ago

Linnell has more conceptual songs, and those are awesome. And I do agree that Doctor Worm is a great fucking song.

But Flansburgh just makes stronger songs in general to me. I guess maybe they're often the less experimental ones, which may say something about my tastes as well.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Hmm we had Birdhouse In Your Soul as our wedding entrance music so I can't in good conscience agree with you here.

[–] Pronell 2 points 7 months ago

Those are favorites from each one, not evidence Linnell is a bad musician.

[–] Viking_Hippie 1 points 7 months ago

here's a top five of songs sung by each John

Said the old-timey sex worker