In Review: Too Much Information

Hey everybody! The reviews are back! Instead of trying to figure out where we left off (Somewhere on Liberty, we believe)…we decided to forge ahead. We’re trying something new, too. Instead of our lengthier reviews of the past, we are hoping to stick to something a little punchier and short. Something you can maybe read or scan through on a break, or between Zoom meetings! You’ll still find opinions from both Amanda and Rhonda here, but they’ll be shorter. Don’t worry though, we’re keeping our famous cocktail ratings. Happy hour, anyone?

Without further adieu…

Music/Video

Lyrics:

Destroyed by M.T.V., 
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure’s on the screen to sell you things that you don’t need.
It’s too much information for me.
Hey, T.V. child, look into my eyes.
Here by intervention, I want your attention.
Promotion boy in a suit and tie; he want you to use it.
You’re too shot to lose it.
It’s pumpin’ down the cable like never so before.
A cola manufacturer is sponsoring the war.
Here comes the news with love from me to you.
Destroyed by A.B.C.
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure’s on the screen to sell you things that you don’t need.
It’s too much information for me.
Turn on the tube, hits you with a groove.
Advertisin’ muzik, we want you to choose it.
These teeth are white, trainers UltraBrite.
This band is perfect, just don’t scratch the surface.
We covered all the angles, the survey people said.
Just put us on the cover, we’d be smilin’ anyway.
This video was made with love to you.
Destroyed by B.B.C.,
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure’s on the screen to sell you things that you don’t need.
It’s too much information.
Destroyed by M.T.V., 
I hate to bite the hand that feeds me so much information.
The pressure’s on the screen to sell you things that you don’t need.
It’s too much information for me.
Dilate your mind. Dilate your mind.
Dilate your mind. Dilate your mind.
Got to give it to me.
Got to listen to me.
Got to give in to me.
Now, I’m on the line.
Got to give it to me.
Got to listen to me.
Got to give in to me.
Now, I’m on the line.
I try. Yes, I try.
Why should I try?
’cause I try.
Why should I try?
I try. Yes, I try.
Why should I try?
’cause I try.
Why should I try?

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Taylor / Nick Rhodes / Simon John Le Bon / Warren CuccurulloToo Much Information lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc

Rhonda

In full disclosure, Too Much Information is my favorite song off of The Wedding Album. It is upbeat, bright, honest, and even a bit “in your face”, lyrically, which makes the song an immediate favorite of mine. In particular, I appreciate the instrumentation because not only is there a great acoustic guitar track brought forward, but I can hear all of the other instrument tracks too – I guess the word I’m looking for is “balanced”. The driving drum beat helps create a sense of urgency that I really like, too.

When I think back on the time when this song first came out – I don’t think I could really appreciate the meaning of the song as much as I do now. “Destroyed by MTV, I hate to bite the hand that feeds me…” I can’t really blame them for feeling that way, and nowadays, well, who amongst us hasn’t felt a little overwhelmed? Oversold? Just completely done?!?

Vocally, there’s no argument that Simon is at his best in this midrange key. One thing I did notice about the song is that while there is quite a bit of echo, I don’t hear as many stacked harmonies within the chorus. There are still some, but they’re well-blended within the vocal tracks to where they don’t stand out the way they have on previous records, like Rio or Seven and the Ragged Tiger.

With some of the best lyrics off of this album (yes, I really said that), and without a doubt some of the best music, I’m sold on having at least four cocktails with this one! -R

Amanda

I’m excited to write my first little review for our brand, spanking new little website! I’m not going to lie that I’m glad it is this particular song. It feels good to start fresh at the beginning of an album, too. (Don’t worry. I’m sure that we will go back to finish Liberty at some point.) Onto the song!

When I think about the Wedding Album, I tend to think about more of the ballads and chart-toppers associated with it. Too Much Information sticks out even among the more upbeat tracks on the album. The reasons I think this are pretty obvious. It is more of a rock like song compared to the others and the lyrics are more hard-hitting and, dare I say, political. Let’s put this song in historical context. While the album came out in 1993, it was written and recorded in the early 1990s when the Persian Gulf War weighed on people’s minds still. As a kid, I remember being shocked that the action was seen live on my TV. I knew enough history to know that this was new. The band rightly pointed out that there was such commercialization tied to the war on top of the commercialization of the music industry and more. The lyrics immediately caught my attention as part of me was surprised by how in-your-face they were but also honest they were about their own personal frustration.

Of course, I think the music matches the mood of the lyrics. You cannot escape the instrumentation either, especially once it gets going. I am a particular fan of the drums here, which keep the song moving along while the guitars catch your attention just when you start to get used to the musicality of the song. For me, it leaves me feeling unsettled, almost like it is not really safe to get too comfortable. This reinforces the lyrics. Even the bridge with the “dilate your mind” feeds this feeling.

Like Rhonda, I’m giving this one a solid 4 cocktails!