The Books – Thought For Food

Early 21st century strummtronica. Neo folk satire. A sonic delight.

What I've been wondering is why they had to switch up the track listing on the second side of the disc

This album -- as rich, warm, and densely layered as it is -- deeply benefits from the vinyl experience. Been listening for about a decade to Thought for Food and it's like hearing it anew with this 2002 pressing. Excellent. A contemporary, inimitable classic.

How can you tell if this is a German release? Just because the label is based in Germany? I find it kind of hard to believe that an American band would release their first album exclusively in Germany.

This page should be combined with the other page of the same version, right? We have two of the same.

For me, the mark up is worth it for the better artwork

The Books' first album, THOUGHT FOR FOOD, sees them already blending their cut-up method with folksy strummings, as on "Enjoy Your Worries, You May Never Have Them Again," making the melody more uneasy with vocal snippets. But that's not the only trick up their sleeves: "All Bad Ends All" has a swinging feel, while the slow build of "All Our Base Are Belong To Them" ends in a banjo free-for-all boosted by some hushed vocals. (More vocals punctuate the staccato "Getting The Done Job.") "Thankyoubranch" begins into chaos and ends with darkness, while "Mikey Bass" has plenty of bass plus some additional epiglottal sounds, as opposed to the chopped up strings of "Excess Straussess." Odd fun a-plenty.

To explore back-road folk while remaining in tune with the modern sampling phenom seems to be an impossible task for most artists interested in bypassing the looming threat of genre-label. The Books have shattered this trend in Thought for Food to create a very unique and surprisingly uplifting piece of work that incorporates traditional folk guitar and cello with experimental sampling and percussion. A must have for instrumental enthusiasts who enjoy balking at the traditional role folk music plays to soothe the listener; The Books inspire thought and vociferous introspection through their investigation of irony and satirical humor, all achieved within the context of remarkably bizzare, yet cheery instrumental banter.