Search - Too Much Joy :: Son of Sam I Am

Classic CD That Has Been Criminally Ignored

XraySpex | 07/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD stands right next to their debut as another classic. They spit out pop culture references in a tour de force of muscial brilliance. The subjects are dark many times, but the music is strangely uplifting and they add humor to everything from cancer to clowns. An amazing work of art."

Calling this album "Clever" seems almost too dismissive

Bill Wikstrom | Long Island, NY | 09/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Their second album still sounds fresh today with its spikey guitars, big yet unusual sounding drums and booming vocals.

The late 80's keyboard sounds are a tad dated (as it was already a few years out of date when it was recorded). "My Past Lives",

"Worse", "Kicking" and "Song For A Girl..." are some of the best rock songs of the late 80's to be excessively played on college radio. Which may be one of a few reasons why TMJ never became a

household name. Most college radio/critics darlings never make the seemingly obvious leap to mass commercial acceptance. Being a few years ahead of their time (similarly smart-aleck bands like Weezer, Cake and Nada Surf rose to prominence a few years after TMJ's creative high) and poorly promoted by Alias (then poorly promoted by Giant) never did this talented band any favors.

Wanna hear an overload of catchy, well-written, uncomprimising power pop rock songs? Buy this album now."

One of the most underated albums of all time

abe | wva | 08/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"they make fun of bums and even sing about clowns.that particular song "clowns" was on the movie shakes the clown which was abselutely hilarious and an all time classic off beat movie.then theres "thats a lie".i remember the video from mtv.there was a bunch of really fast moving words racing across the bottom of the screen.so,being the curious person i am,played it in slow mo.it says since no one could read it so fast that they could write all sorts of satanic stuff and cuss words and nobody would ever know.it was what got me to buy the album!they have a definate sense of humor and paved the way for bands like the child killer band nirvana and other satirists of the early 90s when grunge was in.later they play the old classic 70s song "seasons in the sun".its a bit faster and done way better than the original whiney one.the last song i really liked was train in vein about his fantasy about a playboy centerfold who likes family get togethers and aborigonees.its good fun and definately underated."