When I listen to Apollo 18, words fail, buildings tumble, the ground opens wide, light beams down from heaven.
Though I think my favorite song is Ana Ng.
I had a friend back in the 90s who had a theory that your favorite TMBG album is the one you were listening to when you get it. When it goes from being weird but catchy, to true fandom.
For me it holds up: Lincoln.
I sort of oscillate between Lincoln, Pink Album, and a random one. I guess it kind of holds, since those were my first non-Flood albums. (Flood and No! were a part of my childhood, and I liked a lot of Flood, but with Lincoln and Pink Album, that was the first time I dove deep.)
I suppose, because it’s Flood for me, but I truly love both Factory Showroom and Mink Car.
And I don’t know I can rate one above the other.
Honestly, Flood is my pick for their best album but, also, I just adore Apollo 18 for the quirky songwriting.
Like some TV commercials, several of the interludes on Apollo 18 are just… not good.
I kind of like both those albums. I felt like several of the demos for Mink Car were better than album, though.
I like Apollo 18 a lot, but for me it’s Flood.
Apollo 18 is some of their best work, but as a whole Flood delivers.
Apollo 18 does have some great tracks, but I think my favorite oscillates between the pink album, Lincoln, and whatever album I’m listening to that I neglected before (currently, The ELSE - you could say I’m Impressed.)
Unpopular opinion incoming… I was listening to the albums in order recently. I love the first three from start to end, but I couldn’t get through Apollo 18 without having the urge to skip Mammal and Dinner Bell - I find the vocal melodies really grating in those tracks.
Having Fingertips shuffled around the album almost makes up for it, if you’re listening to a proper version which doesn’t have them bundled into one track.
I really like Mammal, and Dinner Bell, Dinner Bell, Ding Ding Ding!
I do like Mammal and Dinner Bell, but I otherwise see what you mean about the album. I feel like the meh songs of the album are:
- Dig My Grave
- Schpidah! (Though he still is my hero.)
- Hypnotist of Ladies
- Space Suit
You’re not wrong, and I’m there with you.
Apollo 18 was my favorite for a long time, especially listening on shuffle to give Fingertips the intended playback method. But a few years ago I really got into Factory Showroom thanks to my partner. That album is has a lot of really solid songs that showcase the range of their songwriting skills.
Also, streaming services forcing Fingertips to be a single track has made listening to Apollo 18 way less fun.
At least Nanobots got it’s pseudo-fingertips right on streaming.
