Too Much Sleep is the second album by the experimental college rock/art rock band Bongwater. It was released in 1989. In 1998, the album was remastered by Alan Douches and Kramer for its inclusion in Box of Bongwater set.[2]

Too Much Sleep
Studio album by
Released1989
RecordedNoise New York
(New York City, NY)
GenreExperimental rock
Length48:02
LabelShimmy Disc
ProducerKramer
Bongwater chronology
Double Bummer
(1988)
Too Much Sleep
(1989)
The Power of Pussy
(1990)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]

Most of the songs are written by Mark Kramer and Ann Magnuson with some exceptions. "Talent Is a Vampire," "The Bad Review," and "Ill Fated Lovers Go Time Tripping" were written by Kramer, Magnuson, and Dave Rick. The title track was written strictly by Kramer, while "One So Black" was written by former King Missile member Dogbowl. Notable cover tunes include "The Drum" written by Peter Blegvad and Anthony Moore, "Why Are We Sleeping?" by Kevin Ayers, and "Splash 1" by the 13th Floor Elevators, one of two Roky Erickson covers with which Bongwater made themselves famous.

Bongwater's usual drummer David Licht did not appear on the album, which used a drum machine.[3]

Music videos were created for the songs "The Drum", "Why Are We Sleeping" and "Psychedelic Sewing Room", all directed by Brad Dunning.

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Living End"Kramer, Ann Magnuson2:40
2."The Drum" (Slapp Happy cover)Peter Blegvad, Anthony Moore4:25
3."Mr. and Mrs. Hell"Kramer, Ann Magnuson3:24
4."Too Much Sleep"Kramer3:39
5."Talent Is a Vampire"Kramer, Ann Magnuson, Dave Rick5:45
6."Psychedelic Sewing Room"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:22
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Splash 1" (The 13th Floor Elevators cover)Roky Erickson, Tommy Hall2:19
2."He Loved the Weather"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:07
3."Teena Stays the Same"Kramer, Ann Magnuson2:33
4."One Hand on the Road"Kramer, Ann Magnuson3:15
5."Khomeini Died Tonight"Kramer, Ann Magnuson1:58
6."One So Black"Dogbowl5:04
7."No Trespassing"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:23
CD edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Living End"Kramer, Ann Magnuson2:40
2."The Drum" (Slapp Happy cover)Peter Blegvad, Anthony Moore4:25
3."Mr. and Mrs. Hell"Kramer, Ann Magnuson3:24
4."Too Much Sleep"Kramer3:39
5."Talent Is a Vampire"Kramer, Ann Magnuson, Dave Rick5:45
6."The Bad Review"Kramer, Ann Magnuson, Dave Rick1:50
7."Ill Fated Lovers Go Time Tripping"Kramer, Ann Magnuson, Dave Rick1:52
8."Psychedelic Sewing Room"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:22
9."Splash 1" (The 13th Floor Elevators cover)Roky Erickson, Tommy Hall2:19
10."He Loved the Weather"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:07
11."Teena Stays the Same"Kramer, Ann Magnuson2:33
12."One Hand on the Road"Kramer, Ann Magnuson3:15
13."Then the Babies Return"Kramer, Ann Magnuson3:29
14."Why Are We Sleeping?" (Soft Machine cover)Kevin Ayers3:58
15."Khomeini Died Tonight"Kramer, Ann Magnuson1:58
16."One So Black"Dogbowl5:04
17."No Trespassing"Kramer, Ann Magnuson4:23

Personnel

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Adapted from the Too Much Sleep liner notes.[4]

Release history

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Region Date Label Format Catalog
United States 1989 Shimmy Disc CD, CS, LP shimmy 031
Netherlands 1990 CD, LP SDE 9017

Legacy

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Electric Six covered "The Living End". Their version was released as B-side on the single Gay Bar.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Bongwater: Too Much Sleep > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  2. ^ Gehr, Richard; Pattyn, Jay (2007). "Bongwater". Trouser Press. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  3. ^ "Bongwater". Trouser Press. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  4. ^ Too Much Sleep (booklet). Bongwater. New York City, New York: Shimmy Disc. 1989.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ "Electric Six - Gay Bar". Discogs. 2003.
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