overdriven

comparative more overdriven · superlative most overdriven

1. Driven too hard, or beyond normal limits; exhausted.

   Intertwining, staccato rhythmic patterns by overdriven guitars and basses — the kind of thing that makes rock critics say “angular” in their sleep — used to be merely a sign of semi-competence; now it’s a trademark post-punk device with 30 years of formidable history.

   2007 February 18, Ben Ratliff, “Soft Balladry, Raw Angularity and Beats With Heavy Feet”, in New York Times