They Might Be Giants

I Palindrome I is the second CD maxi-single released to promote They Might Be Giants' 1992 album, Apollo 18. One of their shorter EPs, I Palindrome I features just four tracks. The title cut represents USDA prime TMBG songwriting: a hook sharp enough to catch a fish with and topsy-turvy, recursive meta-lyrics that can't possibly translate well into a foreign language. "Cabbagetown" is a curiously somber acoustic ballad whose emotional resonance prompts a closer look into what the tale could actually mean (still hard to say). A goofy instrumental piece follows called "Siftin'" that sounds like the theme to an '80s game show that never was, and the disc concludes with "Larger Than Life," a ragga retooling of the spy-movie-influenced "She's Actual Size." It's all over pretty quickly, but as with most TMBG EPs it packs a lot of enjoyment in such a small space. ~ Christian Huey, All Music Guide