Too Much Joy reignite a Cult Classic with "Son of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version)"
Thirty-five years after its initial release, Too Much Joy’s Son of Sam I Am returns not as a nostalgia piece but as a reminder of why the band became such a beloved force in alternative rock’s formative era. With Son of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version), the band retrieves its history and reshapes it with intention, reclaiming the sound, celebrating its past, and proving that their blend of witty punk spirit still hits with the same spark it did in 1990.
When the album first surfaced via Alias Records and later through Warner Bros, critics embraced the band’s wild mix of musical DNA. No one else sounded quite like Too Much Joy. They infused the truth-telling satire of Randy Newman colliding with John Prine’s human tenderness, essentially blasting through with the punchy rhythms of the Descendents too. It was an unlikely collision of style, but it worked, gloriously so!
Now, decades later, the master tapes and compositions have reverted back to the band, and they’ve done with them what any modern, self-respecting artist should. They’ve reclaimed, remastered, and reimagined the work on their own terms. Like Taylor Swift’s rerecording movement, but with a distinctly scrappy, alt-rock flair, Tommy’s Version offers a revitalized take on a record that never deserved to fade into obscurity. Having listened to the original and this version, they literally sound better than ever across the massive track listing.
The result is an explosive, vibrant restoration. The sound feels brighter and fuller, the edges sharper, the humor somehow even more biting. Too Much Joy’s signature brand of alt rock, equal parts earnest and absurd bursts through with a renewed sense of urgency. Their blend of late-’80s and early-’90s indie rock, pop-punk, and jangly guitar pop hasn’t aged. If anything, it feels startlingly current in an era hungry for authenticity and unfiltered personality. Considering it was released 35 years ago, there’s still a ton of now modern moments that shine through.
This 2025 edition doesn’t stop at polishing the original tracks, it expands the entire universe of the album. CD buyers (get yours now!) get a 24-page booklet featuring full lyrics and an oral history that chronicles the chaos, charm, and sheer hustle behind the original rollout. The set also includes remixes and demos, offering a look into the creative evolution of a band. These extras don’t feel like scraps from the vault, they feel essential to the band’s process that fueled the original sessions.
They sound alive, awake, and mischievously themselves, keeping their legacy intact without trapping it behind glass. The record is fun and fiery to say the least, capturing the essence of a band that never quite got the mainstream spotlight it deserved but influenced countless listeners anyway. Obviously we urge everyone to enjoy the record from start to finish, but for us, our personal standouts were “My Past Lives”, “Life Is Flowers”, and “Seasons in the Sun”.
Three decades later, Too Much Joy has given their landmark record a second life and it’s one that pulses with the same irreverent grit that had them making waves in the first place. So please, go ahead and click those links below to enjoy it all, do a deep dive on their history, and of course to follow along for the latest. Even better, the rest of their discog is worth the spin too.
Listen to “Son of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version)”
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
