Too Much Joy’s latest release, ‘My Past Lives’, is wonderfully weird, while retaining a retro flavour that is reminiscent of the best of the 80s (particularly if your idea of the best of the 80s is DEVO, or They Might Be Giants).
Too Much Joy have been around that long too. Established in 1980, it was their 1989 album, the delightfully titled, ‘Son of Sam I Am’, released on San Francisco indie label Alias Records, that set the wheels in motion. It was highly praised by the likes of the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Penthouse Magazine, no less. This led them to being signed to Warner Bros, and their cover of LL Cool J’s song, ‘That’s a Lie’ (and a video featuring LL Cool J himself), a favourite of fans and critics alike, saw them declared as destined for greater things. Somehow, this didn’t eventuate, despite touring all over North America, sharing the stage with many of those they most revered, and garnering for themselves a sizeable (and devoted) fanbase. But they’re still very much around today, and it’s those fans who allow them to keep going.
Too Much Joy are set to release their new album, ‘Son Of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version)’, on October 31, a re-release of that 1989 record, and in their words, very expanded. Why it’s called ‘Tommy’s Version’, is something nobody seems to agree on – it may be an homage to their drummer, Tommy Vinton, or it may be something else, but one thing’s for certain, it’s a commemoration of the return of the rights of the album to the band.
‘Son Of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version)’ is being released as an anniversary re-issue CD, with a 24 page booklet, including all the lyrics plus an oral history about the making and marketing of ‘Sam’. It also features all fifteen original tracks from the album, plus a further nine tracks as a bonus. On top of all that, there’s ANOTHER ten bonus tracks released digitally – making the new album officially 34 tracks long.
Phew! Too Much Joy indeed!
While the new album includes the original 4 track demo of the song, ‘My Past Lives’, ‘My Past Lives 2025’ is a re-recording of the fan favourite, and brings into being the live arrangement the band still plays today. It’ll take a few listens to appreciate the sheer volume of names they list including Genghis Khan, Aristophanes, and a guy named Urd in 50,000 BC (for starters), and concluding with wild “confessions” about sleeping in George Washington’s bed, and shooting JFK. They’ve even been a butcher, baker, and bookmaker (as well as digging for undertakers). They’ve also been Abe Lincoln AND all the slaves he freed. Talk about a range of skills! All the while, the band rocks hard, with a pop punk passion, that includes strident drums, and thick, fuzzy, staticky guitars, underpinning the vocals, the lyrics delivered with an enthusiasm that has you half believing that the members of the band could very well have been all the people they mention. Maybe.
‘My Past Lives 2025’ comes with a music video featuring all the people named in the song, as well as pics of the band themselves, both now, and in their actual past. You also get clips of them performing the song on stage. What more could you ask for?
Check out the music video for ‘My Past Lives 2025’ below, and find out more about Too Much Joy and their music online on Instagram, Facebook, and their official website. You should definitely also check out their Bandcamp, where they’ve got some great offers, including a CD, Tshirt, and Hoodie bundle.
