MISCELLANEOUS T

Since this is a B-side compilation and not an album, there isn't really a thematic through-line that I can comment on here. Instead, I'm just going to talk about a few songs I like off this.

Hey, Mr. DJ, I Thought You Said We Had A Deal is excessively self-referential, much like a lot of later TMBG stuff. In particular, I feel like this one's about trying to sell Flood to Elektra, given that it was written in 1989 and Elektra was the first big-label album by TMBG. Crazy opening line too; I could never sleep my way to the top 'cause my alarm always wakes me right up. Me too, buddy.

I like Birds Fly, which is very distinctly a song they played at the Sandinista rally. It shows — it's about covering up the evil parts of oneself, about public image.

It's Not My Birthday is really spiteful, angry, and self-hatey. Maybe the most depressed track I've heard in this listen-through so far? It's about how the narrator actually isn't that special, stop paying attention to them. Go home. Go do something else. They'll be fine (they won't be fine).

Hello Radio is a good bit. Mr. Klaw is a GREAT bit. The Untitled track (called 13 on streaming), which is an outtake from the Dial-A-Song machine's answering that got conference called on accident, is one of the most masterfully executed bits ever. TMBG isn't a "joke band" like some people paint them as, but they do have some good bits.

I'll Sink Manhattan is about Metal Gear Solid 2.

Eeyup.