The popular band, and one of my favorite growing up, They Might Be Giants has entered the Ringtone phenomenon with three tones to choose from. While the first two "Phone Phone Phone" and "Ring Ring" are more along the general surreal stylings of the band, it is the third ringtone titled "Call Connected Through The NSA" that reminds us of the political significance ringtones can have in terms of viral messaging.

The lyrics are extremely poignant and timely: Call connected to the NSA / complete transmition to the NSA/ suspending your rights for the duration of the permanent war.

The tracks were created by the band at the end of a TMBG album session with the legendary Pat Dillet and then uploaded and sold using the popular Xingtone technology.

This is not the bands first venture into using the telephone to promote their music. TMBG is also well known for their Dial-A-Song service in which fans could dial a number to hear a TMBG song played back on a cassette answering machine. Think of it as one of the first ringback tones.

For more on creating your own ringtones for political viral messaging (or just for fun) read this informative how-to I wrote a while back.

[via Ringtonia]

Technorati Tags: ringtones, they might be giants, tmbg, xingtone

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