Cheap Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [EP] (Music) (They Might Be Giants) Price

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Customer Reviews of Istanbul (Not Constantinople) [EP]

This is a recording
This is the single version of "Instanbul(Not Constantinople)", which is one of They Might Be Giants most popular songs. In addition to the regular version of "Istanbul", there is also a pretty cool extended remix of that song. There are also three previously unavailable "b-sides". The great "James K. Polk" became a popular concert staple. (It was rerecorded several years later for the Factory Showroom album.) "Stormy Pinkness" is a short song that is nothing special. "Ant" is a pretty good song. Recommended to They Might Be Giants fans.

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Get it if you're a TMBG fan
I pretty much agree with the other reviewer: this is a must-have for hardcore TMBG fans, but not something a casual fan or someone just getting interested in the band really needs to get (at least not right away). I'd say that's generally the case with EP's. Anyway, I think "Istanbul" is a rather strange choice for a single, since TMBG didn't even write it. The remix of this song is excellent, though, containing samples from many different sources (but none from The Wizard of Oz, as far as I know). It's possibly the best remix of a TMBG song. "James K. Polk" is also available on Factory Showroom, but fans will probably want to hear this earlier version, with "la la" vocals instead of the singing saw during the bridge. "Ant" and "Stormy Pinkness" aren't exactly TMBG's best work, but they're enjoyable, and definitely worth having. If you have all of TMBG's albums, I would recommend getting this (and all of their other EP's) as well.

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previously unreleased songs in hiding
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) is arguably TMBG's most famous song. I am surprised that no one else has ever reviewed this single, despite it being out of print and "hard to find". But I digress...

Three of the five songs on this EP can not be found on any of TMBG's albums (*to the best of my knowledge). As such, this single is a must-have for TMBG collectors and die-hard fans, but a questionable purchase when someone with a marginal knowledge / appreciation of John & John considers hunting it down. It contains two versions of Istanbul - the original and a remix, which is sounds like a cross between a Janet Jackson song and a tv show theme song, with several cartoonish references to tornados. (Note: I originally compared this to a cross of Janet Jackson and the Wizard of Oz, but it seems I have confused people). The other songs are a mixed bag...

James K. Polk, 3:19 - cute song, steeped with historical facts surrounding it's namesake's 1844 Presidential run. Catchy lyrics, but the beat gets kind of repetitive after a bit.

Stormy Pinkness, 1:12 - short, slow-paced unusual TMBG fare. I didn't care for it.

Ant, 1:54 - addictive and upbeat (yet typical) TMBG fare with a guitar riff reminiscent of several songs from the Miscellaneous T album.