They Might Be Giants, longtime purveyors of quirky rock and contemporary icons of a family music scene that`s hipper than you might realize, move beyond mere sound into multi-media entertainment with Here Come the ABC`s. Enlisting a broad array of animators and puppeteers, the band delivers lessons on the alphabet that are as wildly imaginative as they are effective in accomplishing their educational mission. John Flansburgh and John Linnell, who comprise the group, harness catchy pop hooks to cement the letters and, because they`re They Might Be Giants, create some incredibly fun music in the process. The Johns pop up occasionally in puppet form to introduce a few of the 35 tracks and, in a one-song break from the giddy cartoonish action, play a memorable song as their actual human selves. Other highlights include a dreamy look at pandas that paint, the complex relationship of D and W, and some urban tomfoolery with Q and U. |
