Apollo 18

Released in 1992, Apollo 18 represents a pivotal moment for They Might Be Giants, marking their final album as a pure duo before transitioning to a full touring band. Recorded at The Magic Shop in NYC, the album saw the band upgrading their gear - notably incorporating Marshall amps and a wider array of saxophones - resulting in a sound that is simultaneously sparser and more aggressive than its predecessor, Flood. The album is famously known for 'Fingertips', a series of 21 short song fragments designed to be heard on a CD player's shuffle mode, creating a randomized listening experience. Sonically, it blends the band's signature accordion-driven pop with elements of 40s swing, psychedelic new wave, and fuzzed-out rock. Lyrically, it leans into darker, more existential territory, referencing poets like Hal Sirowitz and exploring themes of mortality and isolation through the lens of science and surrealism. It is a masterclass in '90s alternative eclecticism.