Customer Reviews

Give Too Much

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a re-release of the band's one and only album, orginally put out by MCA in 1991 as a self-titled CD. Here, the tracks have been resequenced, a couple re-titled and two songs added. I came to the album sort of backwards -- a year after its release, Paul Kantner recruited the female lead vocalist, Darby Gould, to replace Grace Slick in a re-launched Jefferson Starship. Gould brought one of these songs, "Dark Ages", to the Starship's live shows. It can also be heard it on the JS live album "Deep Space/Virgin Sky"

Gould's powerful voice is indeed all over WEW, but the lyrics and artistic vision are provided by the band's other vocalist, Rob Brezsny. It can easily be seen why Kantner might have been attracted to WEW, because Brezsny traffics in the same sort of ideas in his lyrics -- rants against media manipulation ("Dark Ages") and its attempts to anesthetize the individual ("Get Out of My Head", "Control Yourself"); the shallowness of corporate culture ("Marlboro Man, Jr."); the rape of the planet ("Garbageman"); the virtues of noncommittal sex ("Furnace of Nuclear Love"); a vague sort of pagan metaphysics ("Prayer Wars"); and exhortations to get up and do something about all of this ("Kick", "Break the Law").

All of this would be pretty insufferable, except for two things. One, Rob doesn't take himself too seriously. The surrealistic storylines in "Kick Your Own Ass" and "Pagan Jake's Dream Girl" are quite funny. And a few of the tracks ("Relax", "Telepathics Anonymous") are actually short "commercials" for the WEW concept, and prove that he has a sense of humor.

More importantly, he surrounded himself with some really good musicians. The band backs him with a tough, muscular funk-rock (INXS comes to mind as a comparison point)and very catchy melodies. The pace is almost unrelentingly fast -- the slowest songs are midtempo at best! Rob also has a strong, powerful voice that isn't overbearing and harmonizes with Darby well. On the basis of the playing and singing, the album should have been a big hit.

But it was, unfortunately, an utter disaster commercially. I'm sure the lyrical point of view did not go down well in the aftermath of the first Gulf War (never mind today). After this, Rob went back to writing his hilarious astrology column, as well as novels. So, while some may find the album too strident, it's recommended for people who might like challenging lyrics along with hard-rocking, yet, catchy music.

This CD is a shining star for those who enjoy a funky groove and artistic expression with ABSOLUTELY no filler. Each and every track is polished. The lyrics are original, distilled, meaningful, life affirming and dangerous. The musicianship and production outstanding. As if each element of the project implicitly understood the artistic intention.

The CD is a one-off sensation (the Televisionary Oracle by Rob Brezsny has more information). I first heard of WEW through the original release of 'give to much', available in the early 90's as a self titled CD. A friend correctly predicted that this would be something that I would enjoy. How perceptive of him. This was the big question about WEW for me. Where did they come from, who are they, and most importantly, where did they go? I spent years then trying to find if there was any more of this magic (greedy sod that I am) only to discover, on a recent trip to the USA, that Brezsny (the creative nexus) writes a horoscope column and has done so for many years.

At this stage, much of the puzzle was able to come together.

The title of this triumph is a worry, though. 'Give too much' is what this collection of talented people probably did. There's a 10+ album career (maybe more) worth of ideas, invention, wickedness and compassion compressed onto a single CD. It is a work of art that I hope will be discovered and embraced by the majority. This is my prayer for what it's worth.

I agree with much of what the reviewer from New Berlin had to say.

WEW's CD, "Give to much" is an instant classic - though possibly 20 years in the making. The original form of this CD was sent to me by a friend in the USA (again, thanks!!!). At the time, it bamboozled me that such extremes of talent seemingly had never been to the places where everyone at least had the opportunity to reject what was being offered. There was too much quality for it to have been a throw away by artists without some profile, too much invested into the production for it to have been a backyard job. Having recently finished the "novel" (!?!) "Televisionary Oracle" by Rob Brezsny, many of these questions have been explained, or at least a story has been offered.

What truly distinguishes this CD is that it's brazen without being preachy, it's not depressive, but rather, it celebrates life and living and encourages the listener to maximise her experience. At times, I'm lulled into the notion that a cook book for changing one's reality is being presented (we are controlled only as much as we wish to be).

The music is sensational. It rocks. But it has to be loud. Otherwise, the impact has to be partly gained with reference to previous listenings. Some songs are produced in a fashion that multiplies the desired message ('Get Outta My Head' kicks in with a production fiddle that is almost unbearable... almost seizure inducing).

My major quibble is the title, "Give to much". Lame - seemingly another attempt to snatch defeat from the jaws of (sales) victory. Why not 'Media Apocalypse' or 'Sign up...' or 'Now recruiting'. Again, after reading the yeah-sure-novel a clue seems to emerge. Perhaps, given that the concentration of talent, ideas, invention, insight, etc within this one small expression of artistry, those associated with it realised that in one CD was an entire career - focused, beautiful, perfect. Nothing left to say.

It is in this spirit that I hope that WEW don't even think about tarnishing their genius status (at least with this fan) with another release until they are pretty sure that they, again, have something worth saying or doing.

I could rave on and on about this CD. Buy it. Then beg, borrow or steal a copy of the original release.

This is the greatest album of all time. I am not kidding.

Actually, this album is a re-release of their self-titled album,
with some additional songs. I first found their album in a
discount used CD bin about 8 years ago. I hadn't heard of them
but the lyric sheet made it seem worth the risk.
It was the best buy I have ever made. The lyrics and music are
amazing, and everything fits together perfectly, with themes
(both words and music) running through the entire album.
The "W" section is always my first place to check when I
find a new record store, and over the years I have found a
few copies which I passed on to friends. I even found a
cassette copy in a variety store in Australia! Go figure.

The album merits your full attention. Even though I have
heard it 100 times, my favorite way to listen is to sit
quietly and pay attention. It never disappoints and I keep
finding new things to amaze me. I am also amazed that this
album is not a best seller. At least a half-dozen songs on
it seem perfect for MTV, and everything on it is perfect for
college radio.

So what is the album about? The words are a scathing tirade
against the media (tv, radio, advertising, televangelists, etc).
The music is melodic and intricate and soothing and in-your-face,
all at the same time. I know that you can download samples for
free, but you really miss something if you don't listen to the
whole album in the original order.

I hope that you buy it and enjoy it as much as I have.

All the mystic power of the Zep, but with good will and good vibes. Very powerful singers and thoughtful lyrics. Soul-feeding music. Occult wisdom. Now anthemic fire, now intricate rhythms. Secret Orders take note.

Enjoy!

Actually I don't own this CD; I own "World Entertainment War," which I guess is the first one, and this is the second. Still, most of the songs are the same, so it seems it's basically the same album with a different cover.

Rob is the guy behind freewillastrology.com, and he brings his motivational messages to his music in much the same way. If the lyric sheet in this one is the same as the one I have, it's about 5 CD-size panels that fold out, in very tiny print.

The music is top notch, and the whole album is a huge, cohesive production. A few of the songs, like Televisionary, and Marlboro Man, are just unbelievably good and will ring in your ears for months after just a few listenings. Even the weakest songs on the album are really good.

Highly recommended. This is a big album, and needs to be played loud.

This CD is one of the few things you can spend money on that will change your life in totally positive ways. Better sex? Yes! Hell, it might even regrow hair. I can think of no other CD that I could reccoment this highly. Buy more than one I know you are going to want to share it.

A lot of us are lucky enough to get hit with occasional strokes of genius. Not too many of us follow through and put a brilliant idea into form. And almost nobody:

* ceaselessly sees truths that habit and culture make most of us wholly blind to,
* leads revolutions in thought and lifestyle that (if we're lucky) actually have the credible potential to transform us all into a species of happy beings,
* magnetizes an entire community of like-minded truth- (and beauty-) (and joy-) seekers who, like little lost lambs from a scattered herd, have been wandering, nameless and leaderless, for years,
* commands superior talent not just in literature but also in music,
* and prolifically -- every single day -- churns out art and philosophy of the highest quality.

But Rob Brezsny does.

It's true, too, that genuinely unique beams of original light have been known to be overlooked by most of their contemporaries, praised by some, and scorned by others (maybe sort of like some of the reviewers here who doubtless have either never attempted to do anything difficult, or have tried, given up, and (bitching all the way) settled for the mediocrity Brezsny's genius inspires us all to free ourselves from).

I'm embarrassed by my surprise in finding his music is so good. Surprised because what he writes so is so superb, consistently so, and there's so much of it, that I guess I figured the odds his music would also be that good were slim. But he beats the odds. And embarrassed because I should have known it would be so good. Of course it's good. Rob Brezsny is definitely one of the most talented, far-sighted, creative people of our day, and I wouldn't be surprised if what he hasn't done yet proves him to be one of the most creative, admirable, joy-inspiring people ever.

You'll like this CD if you like really good, pure classic rock, great vocals, and all the high-energy artistry of the best classic rock sound.

When I purchased this CD I thought it was going to be pretty average and I probably wouldn't play it more than once or twice,but this is one of the best CDs that I have ever bought blind,not knowing what to expect.The lyrics and music taken together make this one great CD.

a superbly done album. buy it!