Over their career, the group has been very influential on American electropop and freestyle artists from both their music and their strident, colorful visuals, being best known for their 1988 self-titled album. The band was formed in Minneapolis in the early 80s, and they performed avant-garde electronic music with flourishes of hip-hop. In 1983, they independently released two albums, 'The InSoc EP' and 'Creatures Of Influence'. Two years later, they released "Running", their first single, which became a hit popular in New York City's Latino nightclubs and "put them on the map". That song, a 7-minute effort that touched on contemporary techno, was written and sung by Murat Konar, who left the band soon after. Their growing success led them from their native Minneapolis to NYC, and the ensuing revenues and contacts, as well as the addition of Amanda Kramer to the lineup, led them to record their proper debut album.
Their first major release album. 1988's 'Information Society', received critical acclaim, giving the group breakout commercial success as the album hiked up to #25 on the Billboard 200. In addition to "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" (which hit #3 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart), the album also had other hits in "Walking Away" (#9 on that chart) and a cover of ABBA's "Lay All Your Love On Me" (#12 on the Hot Dance Music chart). The disc was one of the few to use CD+G, which included digital graphics on the compact disc version in addition to the music. The audio samples from Star Trek were authorized for use on the album partially thanks to the efforts of Adam Nimoy, a fan of the band and son of Star Trek's Leonard Nimoy.
The second release, Hack (1990), wasn't as successful, but had small hits with Think and How Long but still managed to sell quite well in the fall of 1990.
Kurt was also the owner of the heavily-modified The Road Warrior-inspired art car named "Vector" featured on the cover of Hack. The car sported a functioning ranging laser, among other unusual features. Vector was eventually given to a friend at Burning Man in the mid-1990s.
The third release, Peace & Love, Inc. (1992), proved to be more powerful and critically acclaimed, although their label failed to do much to promote them. Their first single Peace & Love, Inc. reached #1 on the 'Billboard Dance Chart'. A music video was produced for the track, but MTV declined to play it. The album is also notable for being perhaps the first album ever produced to contain a track of modem tones, which when played into a telephone connected to a computer resulted in a bonus text message from the band.
The fourth album, Don't Be Afraid (1997), written and performed by Kurt Harland alone and produced by Steven Seibold, was more industrial-driven. Cleopatra Records released the album, but - like Tommy Boy Records - did little to promote it. Harland's love of computer-related materials continued to be evident, as the album included a CD-ROM filled with bonus material, not yet a common occurrence in 1997.
There was also a carefully-orchestrated digital scavenger hunt culminating in the discovery of a bonus track called White Roses. The scavenger hunt began with decoding a modem's signal recorded at the end of the audio CD, resulting in a text message from Kurt which pointed the way to a website where the search began. There is also a cover included of Gary Numan's Are 'Friends' Electric?. Also included is Ozar Midrashim, a track which was later used as the main theme for the videogame Legacy of Kain - Soul Reaver.
During the course of those four albums and about a dozen remix singles from them, Information Society's sound went from more electronic pop music to a darker industrial type, though they will always be remembered for their first hit song and the cardboard guitars they wielded in its music video.
However, in 2006 Paul Robb and James Cassidy announced their intention to re-form Information Society, and began working on a new album. They also performed live at several venues across the US with Christopher Anton as lead vocalist. The Ep "Oscillator" was released in early 2007 followed by the album Synthesizer in late 2007. Christopher Anton provided the vocals on Oscillator, and Synthesizer and was the co-writer on several of the tracks as well.
http://informationsociety.us/
Mirrorshades
Information Society Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Load them at your pleasure.
These are the dusty pictures that I found
While on my search for treasure.
Here is the hazy vision that I saw,
Here's what she said to me:
For a scientist I am too raw
She said don't be making no provocation
Unless you're ready to handle the nation
I'm cold and I'm bold and I don't do what I'm told.
She wore mirrorshades.
And I can't explain the thing about her mirrorshades.
But I know that I can't live without her mirrorshades.
And I kind of lose my mind about her mirrorshades.
And the strange attractors that surround her.
Remember as you bust north at her call,
That you can never doubt it.
No matter what you cannot have it all,
'cause she leaves home without it.
But in the darkness where we both were caught,
In the heartbeat of El Nido.
I had a vhs for her to slot
And now I never want to go.
She said "Now you're here, you've got to show and prove,
And do that dance until it don't move.
The phone doesn't work so you won't be calling home."
She wore mirrorshades.
And I can't explain the thing about her mirrorshades.
But I know that I can't live without her mirrorshades.
And I kind of lose my mind about her mirrorshades.
And the strange attractors that surround her.
She was so absolutely digital,
To jack in now was wrong.
But Cupid punches deck with chemicals
While Dark Madonna sings her song.
She wore mirrorshades.
And I can't explain the thing about her mirrorshades.
But I know that I can't live without her mirrorshades.
And I kind of lose my mind about her mirrorshades.
And the strange attractors that surround her.
Mirrorshades.
The lyrics of Information Society's song "Mirrorshades" paint a vivid picture of a mysterious and captivating woman who wears mirrorshades. The song begins by describing the discovery of some hidden knowledge, represented by "notes from the underground" and "dusty pictures." The singer narrates his encounter with a woman who possesses a hazy and enigmatic vision, and she declares herself too raw to be considered a conventional scientist. Despite her unconventional nature, she claims to know everything about the singer.
The woman warns the singer not to provoke or challenge her unless he is willing to handle the consequences on a national level. She exudes an air of confidence and disregard for authority, asserting her independence and nonconformity. The mirrorshades, a recurring motif throughout the song, symbolize her allure and mystique. The singer becomes infatuated with her and feels unable to live without her and, in the process, loses his sense of sanity.
As the story progresses, the woman urges the singer to prove himself and demonstrates the isolated nature of their relationship. Phone communication is impossible, implying a world detached from conventional connectivity. The lyrics also mention El Nido, suggesting a metaphorical state of entrapment or vulnerability. The singer offers a VHS as a token of his affection, solidifying his commitment to the woman.
The song concludes with a reference to the woman's digital nature, a juxtaposition with the "wrongness" of connecting in a digital realm. Cupid represents love's influence, even in a world driven by chemicals and technology, while the Dark Madonna is symbolic of a rebellious spirit or counter-culture. The song's final lines reiterate the singer's fascination and dependency on the woman who wears the mirrorshades.
Line by Line Meaning
Here are a few notes from the underground.
These are some undisclosed secrets or information that I have discovered.
Load them at your pleasure.
Feel free to delve into them as you wish.
These are the dusty pictures that I found
While on my search for treasure.
During my quest for something valuable, I stumbled upon these old and forgotten images.
Here is the hazy vision that I saw,
Here's what she said to me:
Let me share with you the blurred image I witnessed and the words she spoke to me.
For a scientist I am too raw
I know all about you can't you see?
Although I may not conform to the conventional expectations of a scientist, I possess deep knowledge and understanding of your being.
She said don't be making no provocation
Unless you're ready to handle the nation
I'm cold and I'm bold and I don't do what I'm told.
She warned against inciting any disturbance unless one is prepared to deal with the consequences. She expressed a rebellious and independent nature.
She wore mirrorshades.
She was adorned with sunglasses that reflected a mirror-like surface.
And I can't explain the thing about her mirrorshades.
I cannot fully comprehend the enigmatic aspect of her mirrorshades.
But I know that I can't live without her mirrorshades.
However, I have come to realize that I cannot imagine my life without her and her mirrorshades.
And I kind of lose my mind about her mirrorshades.
Her mirrorshades have a mesmerizing effect on me, causing me to feel a sense of mental disarray.
And the strange attractors that surround her.
Moreover, there are peculiar and captivating forces that surround her.
Remember as you bust north at her call,
That you can never doubt it.
In the event that you respond to her summons and head towards where she beckons, always remember that doubting her is futile.
No matter what you cannot have it all,
'cause she leaves home without it.
Despite any desire you may have, she purposely chooses not to bring it with her or make it accessible to others.
But in the darkness where we both were caught,
In the heartbeat of El Nido.
However, in the obscurity where both of us found ourselves entangled, within the core essence of a specific place or moment.
I had a vhs for her to slot
And now I never want to go.
I had a VHS tape for her to insert and watch, and as a result, I no longer desire to depart from this situation.
She said "Now you're here, you've got to show and prove,
And do that dance until it don't move.
She expressed the expectation for me to now demonstrate my abilities and credibility, and to persist in my efforts until there is no further progress to be made.
The phone doesn't work so you won't be calling home."
Communication devices are not functional in this context, which means you cannot contact your place of origin.
She was so absolutely digital,
To jack in now was wrong.
Her nature or persona was predominantly characterized by technological elements, therefore it was misguided to connect with her in this moment.
But Cupid punches deck with chemicals
While Dark Madonna sings her song.
However, love, represented by Cupid, influences her actions by employing artificial means, while a mysterious and alluring figure known as the Dark Madonna accompanies these events with her captivating tunes.
Mirrorshades.
Mirrorshades.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL ROBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
duffy
2021 and still jammin' to this album!
Jason Green
Amazing track! Still holds its own all these years later. Underrated/under appreciated! #CLASSIC 😎👍
Scrimlip
Such...A FLIPPIN' GROOVE.
Maria Inês Santos
I l9ve Informarion Society💖.
Danny Green II
This effing album is legit A.F.
wani wani
Nice😍pretty cool as always💃💃💃😉👍❤💥
Wagner Araujo
Tenho observado os números do Information Society no yutube e não consigo entender os baixos números de uma coisa tão maravilhosa quanto foi e sempre será esta banda. Translating >>>> I have been looking at the numbers of the Information Society on yutube and I cannot understand the low numbers of something as wonderful as it was and always will be this band.
Razão e Ciência
Very good!
Yaiye The crac
The best✌🏿✌🏿✌🏿✌🏿
Marc Darcy
Now I need to hear - NOW THAT I HAVE YOU