Album Mini-review: Information Society — Orders of Magnitude
File next to ABC, Human League, Simple Minds
Listeners can be forgiven for thinking that Information Society are an early 1980s synth outfit from the UK; there’s an unmistakable air of early MTV-era electronic dance pop to all of their tunes. So it might come as some surprise to learn that the group (essentially a large collective built around the trio of Paul Robb, Kurt Harland Larson and James Cassidy) is all-American and based in Minneapolis. After a run of four albums in the period 1988-1997, Information Society largely went inactive for a decade, and then again until 2014. Their latest, *Orders of Magnitude, is a compilation focusing on eleven of their knowing covers of classic tunes from some of their heroes, including DEVO, Gary Numan, Heaven 17, and even Disney composers the Sherman Brothers. Their remake of “Beautiful World” is a highlight, and features DEVO’s Gerald V. Casale.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.