What makes They by King Missile notable?

They gained attention for its unconventional approach, combining spoken word with art rock, which influenced the burgeoning alternative scene in the late '80s. The single 'Detachable Penis' from their subsequent album became a cult hit, establishing King Missile as a distinctive voice in alternative music. Released in 1988, They is King Missile's debut album, signaling their entry into the alternative music scene. This album followed a period of underground performance and self-released recordings, positioning the band to explore their unique blend of humor and socio-political commentary.

They works well if you're into absurdist humor with unpredictable twists, short bursts of quirky narratives and playful experimentation with spoken word.

How many songs are on They?

They has 22 tracks, running approximately 53 minutes.

They

King Missile · 1988

53 min · 22 tracks · art rock

A blend of absurdity and introspection wrapped in lo-fi art rock soundscapes and spoken word delivery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Love Song — This track exemplifies the band's ability to juxtapose humor and sincerity, with its playful yet poignant lyrics reflecting on love's complexities.
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The Blood Song — Through its narrative-driven approach, this song explores themes of mortality and existence, showcasing the band's unique storytelling style.
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WW3 Is a Giant Ice Cream Cone — This track captures King Missile's absurdist humor while critiquing societal norms, making it a standout example of their signature blend of wit and insight.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

absurdist humor with unpredictable twists
short bursts of quirky narratives
playful experimentation with spoken word
dynamic flow for attentive listening
engaging social commentary in snippets

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek long, cohesive tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1988, They is King Missile's debut album, signaling their entry into the alternative music scene. This album followed a period of underground performance and self-released recordings, positioning the band to explore their unique blend of humor and socio-political commentary.
Stylistic neighbors: The Residents· They Might Be Giants· Captain Beefheart

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Now 1:53
2 I'm Open 2:21
3 Mr. Johnson 1:53
4 She Had Nothing 1:56
5 He Needed 1:18
6 The Love Song 2:12
7 Margaret's Eyes 2:43
8 The Bunny Song 1:54
9 The Blood Song 4:00
10 Stonehenge 1:29
11 They 2:30
12 When She Closed Her Eyes 1:57
13 Hemopheliac of Love 3:21
14 The Box 2:50
15 Fish 3:20
16 Leather Clown 4:25
17 WW3 Is a Giant Ice Cream Cone 3:23
18 Farm 1:39
19 As I Walked Thru Queens 3:19
20 Hey Jesus 2:05
21 If Only 1:36
22 Double Fucked by 2 Black Studs 1:28

What to play next

Listen next

Mystical Shit

1990

Go back to

Fluting on the Hump

1987

Full King Missile discography Artists like King Missile

art rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata