80: People Just Liked It Better That Way

80. "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" by They Might Be Giants [iTunes? Yes.] {Video: Istanbul; or here: Not Constantinople (Tiny Toons).}

"Quirky Brilliance!"

That was the two word review that appeared next to the listing of the They Might Be Giants album "Flood" in the Columbia House Record and Tape Club. "Quirky Brilliance!" It's not often two words can so succinctly sum up something as complicated as the entire musical catalog of a band, but there you have it.

"Istanbul" was the first song I ever heard by They Might Be Giants. I heard it, and I liked it. I'm a big fan of quirky. (And, as far as brilliance goes, well, duh!) So, when I was looking for a filler album to complete my 13 tapes for one of the several times I joined Columbia House, I thought I'd take a chance on They Might Be Giants.

One guitar plus one accordion equals quirky brilliance.

Obviously, it was a good choice. Many, many albums and several concerts later, They Might Be Giants have cemented themselves into the HondoJoe Cognitive Triad as one of my three favorite musical acts of all time.

And it all started in Istanbul. (But not Constantinople.)

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