I think I just missed Tally Hall, who came through town on their tour.
So, the funny story about their debut album Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum was that it was originally released three years ago on Quack! Media. Somehow they appeared on "The Late Late Show" in 2006 for their alternative radio hit song "Good Day".
The band is known for wearing different colored ties in public appearances, and it was probably that image (and good music) that somebody at Atlantic Records saw them and they inked a deal. The result? Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum was suddenly re-marketed and re-released April 1st of this year.
I have a copy and when I first listened to it, I just remember that these guys are funny. One of their song "Banana Man" stood out to me because it's so different from the other songs. "Banana Man" is done in a Caribbean-type rhythm and the lyrics are pretty happy and upbeat. The other song that really stood out for me was "The Whole World and You", which sounded like it should have been written by The Beatles.
In some reviews, they think Tally Hall sounds like They Might Be Giants, and although I can see why they would compare them to the two Johns - I don't think they are blatant in their wittiness. Perhaps the only thing between the bands I can really see is that they are both a little quirky. For instance, the music really shifts in different directions on "Ruler of Everything" (a song that my friend really like), with some parts like typical pop song and suddenly infused with fast singing by Rob Cantor.
Well, I'm sorry I miss them on tour, because apparently I read that in addition to their original songs, the band is known for doing a ton of cover songs. It looks like there are two last dates on their tour: Comerica Cityfest in Michigan (July 3rd) and Lollapalooza in Illinois (August 3rd). The new version of Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum is out now on Atlanta.
