Flood | ||||
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Cover artwork for the CD release
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Studio album by They Might Be Giants | ||||
Released | January 15, 1990 | |||
Recorded | June—October 1989 | |||
Studio | Skyline Studios, NYC | |||
Genre | Alternative rock | |||
Length | 43:24 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Producer | They Might Be Giants Alan Winstanley Clive Langer |
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They Might Be Giants chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Cover of the vinyl LP
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Chicago Tribune | |
Christgau's Consumer Guide | |
Los Angeles Times | |
NME | 8/10 |
Q | |
Record Mirror | |
Rolling Stone | |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
Sounds |
Flood is the third studio album by Brooklyn-based alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants, released in January 1990. Flood was the duo's first album on the major label Elektra Records. It generated three singles: "Birdhouse in Your Soul", "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)", and the domestic promotional track "Twisting". The album is generally considered to be the band's definitive release, as it is their best-selling and most recognizable album. Despite minimal stylistic and instrumental differences from previous releases, Flood is distinguished by contributions from seasoned producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. John Linnell and John Flansburgh also took advantage of new equipment and recording techniques, including unconventional, home-recorded samples, which were programmed through Casio FZ-1 synthesizers. The album was recorded in New York City at Skyline Studios, which was better equipped than studios the band had worked in previously.
Promotion for Flood included television appearances, promotional videos, and an international tour. The album's mainstream promotion and success contributed to its status as the band's most well known album. Many fans, including young viewers of Tiny Toon Adventures, were first exposed to They Might Be Giants's music through Flood.
The album was initially issued on CD, LP, and cassette. Upon its release, Flood was met with praise from critics and achieved moderate success on sales charts. In 2013, the album was reissued as part of a CD series spanning They Might Be Giants' four Elektra releases. In 2014, it was reissued on LP in Europe by Music On Vinyl and in the United States by Asbestos Records for Record Store Day Black Friday. Another LP reissue is anticipated for 2015 from the band's label, Idlewild Recordings.