Too Much Joy’s Son of Sam I Am (Tommy’s Version) is both a time capsule and a celebration. Across 34 tracks, the band revisits their irreverent 1989 classic, giving each song new weight, grit, and a dose of playful maturity.
The opening cut, “Making Fun of Bums,” bursts out with crunchy guitars and a smirk, setting the album’s unapologetic tone. “Song for a Girl Who Has One” leans into jangly alt-rock charm, while “Clowns” remains one of the group’s signature moments—reborn later as a cheeky ska remix that somehow works. “My Past Lives” stands tall lyrically, its re-recorded 2025 version balancing wit and nostalgia in equal measure. Their cover of “That’s a Lie” still crackles with the same tongue-in-cheek energy that made LL Cool J’s original so iconic, now polished by William Wittman’s remix. “Kicking (That Gone Fishing Song)” and “Life Is Flowers” showcase the band’s knack for marrying punk attitude with melodic heart. “Connecticut,” “Bad Dog,” and “1964” bring warmth and wit, while “Worse” and “If I Was a Mekon” flex the band’s sharp lyrical humor.
Hidden gems like “Train in Vain” and the one-minute blast “Rap Like Mine” highlight Too Much Joy’s willingness to mock themselves while still sounding tight and fearless. The rediscovered cuts—“When You’re Around,” “G.I. Jesus,” and “We Just Got Signed”—add context to the chaos, giving a glimpse into a band that never took fame too seriously but loved the craft more than anything. By the time the demos and remixes close things out, Tommy’s Version feels less like a reissue and more like a victory lap. It’s loud, funny, self-aware, and full of life—proof that Too Much Joy never lost their spar
