More Songs About Buildings And Food

There are too many Talking Heads albums on this list. Just like all the others, about a third of these tracks are okay, the other two-thirds are pointless, repetitive, boring, or annoying. I'm being generous with two stars.

Frustrating. Talking Heads are a band I always think I should like way more than I do. Until we try again in another 12 months Mr Byrne.

Super fun and catchy. Realizing more and more why some rando on RYM described LCD Soundsystem as a carbon copy of Talking Heads (in a good way), even though he was totally wrong.

The beginning of their collaboration with Eno and where they really start to take off. Eno came in and bring just the right amount of punch and flourish to the mix. This is a real nice midpoint in their sound as they continued to evolve. Love how the album starts by just ripping right into it. So much forward momentum on this album.

This and the other two albums in the "Eno Trilogy" were a staple of my teenage listening. Talking Heads were my band and spoke to this oddball from the suburbs, I even used "Artists Only" as a tag for a little while. This album is testament to the fact that they were four talented artists, not just David Byrne's dog and pony show

This is the Talking Heads before Afrobeat really took over as an influence. I really enjoy the second half of this album a lot and I think it is paced very well. The playing is incredibly tight (the drums on I’m Not In Love are *chef kiss*) and some wild guitar effects to make it extra funky. I tend to prefer more of their later output, but this one is still very nice and has a lot of songs that I show people if they ask about good Talking Heads starter songs. Favorite track: I’m Not In Love Least favorite track: The Good Thing

Every Talking Heads song sounds the same to me. I just don't really care for them too much. Favorite Tracks: "Take Me to the River"

Look nothing against Talking Heads, but the lead singer does sound like he's in desperate need of a No 2, and is frantically looking for a toilet.

A great second album is a very rare thing. One with a hilarious and self-aware title is even rarer. These guys don't get enough credit for their sense of humor. A lot of reviewers will focus on Brian Eno but I also hear a more confident Jerry Harrison contributing more, where '77 sounds a lot like the original trio did. Found a Job plays a prominent part in many life choices I make and the circular guitar/keyboard line at the end is to me a programmatic representation of the virtuous cycle that comes from a well balanced life. That may be a bit overboard but also purely as a matter of music it consistently captivates me over the 40 or so years I have been listening to it. Artists Only and Stay Hungry are other ones that have and continue to shape me. Reflecting back, it's odd how often I notice myself singing Stay Hungry to myself, especially considering that this is the likely most I have ever discussed the song. Do the work you want to do. Actually do it. Don't get obsessed with the consequences, for if you consistently approach it sincerely and with the beginner's mind, the outcomes will take care of themselves. Those are the life lessons a teenager got from this album, obviously from the lyrics but also in hearing a band not afraid to go deeper into what makes them weird - zero other bands were doing what these guys were doing - and just get better at it and don't look back. Also, Tina Weymouth is the most underrated bassist in rock n roll.

OK songs but again, an album of it is too much. Can’t imagine a mood to be in where an album of this would be a welcome distraction.

‘Jerky funk rhythms’ is a good description. I’ve never heard of this album, nor heard any of the songs. Outstanding, very pleasantly surprised. You know it’s good when you want to play it the 3rd time without a break. Their 2nd LP and the first of 3 produced by Brian Eno. This is interesting, lots going on. Love the band, not sure about the voice at this early stage but the rhythm of the voice and the lyrics bring it together and the rhythm is excellent, would be great live. Can’t help but move to this. Love the sound, the production, the bass in particular sounds amazing. Sounds indie at times, jangly guitars, but always with a funky drums & bass. Music to lose yourself in at the gig or on the dance floor.

The singing is just horrible, like Chris Martin horrible.

Is it the best album about buildings and food? Yes.

more dorky 70s rock.... it's not awful but there really doesn't need to be so much of it on this list. 2/5.

Call this album sausages because every song is a banger. Favorite track: Artists Only

"More Songs About Buildings and Food" is the Talking Heads' second studio album and the first of three collaborated with Brian Eno. The music is more rhythm and dance driven with quirky, jangly guitars and Eno's keyboards overlaying. Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Frantz (drums) really come to the forefront and in a lot of these songs. David Byrne's lyrics are sometimes about relationships, other times not. When they are, it is usually in a weird and original context. This is a fantastic album. The album cover is a photomosaic using 539 close-up Polaroids. Another interesting fact: the song title comes from a title suggestion for their first album of "Songs About Buildings and Food." They just added the More. The rollicking "Thanks You for Sending Me an Angel" begins the album with drums kicking in. Percussions would be added later. Somewhat chaotic/frenetic guitar comes in. It appears to have somewhat non-sensical lyrics...about parenting a baby? The song was a definite highlight of "Stop Making Sense." The first side continues the fast rhythmic pace and ends with another "Stop Making Sense" standout "Found a Job." Here's where Weymouth and Frantz really lay the funk. Weird and interesting keyboards. Some more original lyrics about making a relationship more interesting than what the couple sees on TV. One of my favorite Talking Heads songs. Side two continues the pace but ends on two slower-paced songs. Tina Weymouth lays a great bass line on the Al Green cover "Take Me to the River." Great vocals by Byrne and a somewhat surprising US top 40 hit. Slide guitar highlights "The Big Country." Does David want to live between NYC and LA or doesn't he or is he poking fun at coastal elitists? A lot of days " More Songs About Buildings and Food" is my favorite Talking Heads album which is saying a lot since they have a few outstanding ones. Obviously, an album highly, highly recommended for a listen.

Great album. It’s interesting to consider just how weird David Byrne’s cadence / singing patterns were.

Wow. This is truly terrible, like NO SHOT this is anything else than a 1. Genuinely no clue how anyone would ever rate this above 2, but I guess we are all different and that's the beauty of it...

I like what comes after this album, but holy god I cannot stand this album. Highlights: 1.

I feel bad rating this only 2 stars but for whatever reason Talking Heads has always been a band I like the idea of more so than their actual music. I find David Byrne’s singing voice annoying but I respect him as an artistic talent. Not everyone can like everything!

Starting to think that Talking Heads are pretty overrated

Pretty cool, I liked this a lot. Everything sounds tight without being overly clean, the basslines are really fun, and the lyrics are interesting to think about. Last few songs kinda fell off imo. 4.5

This is the transitional album where Brian Eno came on board as a producer, turning Talking Heads from an arty NYC proto punk band into something that you could dance to. I haven’t listened to this album as much as some of the others - not because it’s not good, but because the live versions of some of these songs on Stop Making Sense (notably their cover of Al Green’s Take Me to the River) are even better than the ones here.

I just don't like his voice

American band goes Brit-Pop (at least it sounds a bit like this). I wonder why it's on the 1001 list.

Love it. As a T heads fan there are only a few albums I wouldnt consider stone cold classics. But this album has so many great songs and was a.strong follow-up to 77. (I dont think the live album,The name of this band is Talking Heads, is on this list but I love the live versions of the songs from this album on there.)

More bass + breaks than would've epxected David Byrne sounds a bit like RuPaul? Cover of that Big Mouth Billy bass song that reminds me of Tony Soprano beating up Georgie with the fish :( fav track: The Girl Wants To Be With The Girls

It's way less obnoxious than the other album I heard from them. I don't like his voice and the manic way he sings a lot of them still, but a lot of the actual music I'm finding myself tapping my foot along to a fair bit. There's some good upbeat grooves in here that work for me, with nice guitar and drums in particular.

How exactly is this an album I NEEDED to hear before I die?

Overall: 10/10 Seriously one of the best albums ever made. On par with Talking Heads '77 and Speaking in Tongues in terms of fun, danceable rock songs. Once again, Tina Weymouth is the best thing about these guys. Inject the bassline to Found a Job in my veins and leave me under a bridge. Fav Song: Found a Job

Just so much fun. I will admit my only experience of a complete Talking Heads project prior to this is Stop Making Sense, which is stellar, and their sound is just so unique and well crafted.

Thank god for Talking Heads. Not that they don't have influences, but, like many post-punk bands, there's a particular dimension of quirk that only they represent. There's a "Talking Heads" itch that just can't be scratched by any other group. I'm not as familiar with More Songs about Buildings and Food as I am with other Talking Heads releases, but I found it just as enjoyable. The songcraft here isn't as immediately accessible as that on, say, Remain in Light or Speaking in Tongues, but that only gives this record its own understated character that rewards repeated (and repeated and repeated) listens as the songs open up and reveal their secrets. I'm going to leave this here and go listen again. More Songs about Buildings and Food might not be my favorite Taking Heads album, but it's still a masterpiece. Five stars.

I was in a bad mood when I turned this on yesterday. In fact, I was furious. I work for a company with messed up people, and I consistently see the worst people get promoted. Those who should excel on merit tend to go nowhere. A particular dweeb I know just got put in charge of managing an entire country, an office of hundreds of people. So, taking my dog out, I threw my headphones on, cussing under my breath like a psychopath. Any album I put on was doomed to receive unfair judgement. I really love the Talking Heads, and I have for decades. I already knew this album, although admittedly, I’m far more familiar with other TH albums. As this started, and I was still having a rage-fueled freak out, I had no patience and spent the first few tracks thinking this must be the weakest TH album. Then, Found a Job came on. It perfectly reflected what I was feeling. I played it again and looked at the lyrics. The notion is simple- if you don’t like what you see, if your work doesn’t make you happy, then something’s wrong. Take matters into your own hands. This track gave me the perspective I needed at the time I needed it. It literally flipped my mood back to a good place. I’ve heard of music effecting people like this before, but for all the countless hours I’ve spent listening through album after album, this was the first time I’d ever been struck in such a way, reminded of the simple solution, gifted perspective, and improved because of it. Five stars, bitches.

I should really be listening to talking heads more

When your friend says they heard of talking heads, they only heard the single "Once in a lifetime". When they say they are fans it's because of this album.

hear my voice move my hair i move it around a lot but i dont care this and remain in light are very easily 2 of my favorite albums ever, i never really get old of them and will happily put them on whenever.

The Talking Heads are like The Beatles to me - I can’t tell what makes one better than another. Not to say that they don’t sound different, but I really just think they’re all great. I loved listening to this album as I always do.

I knew talking heads via stop making sense. I enjoyed this from start to finish.

herky jerky white boy funk

we got some more of that quirky and eccentric new wave rock music from talking heads. our ol' pal brian eno is back, helping with production. compared to their last album, this album has a stronger emphasis on that somewhat alien type of dance rock music we'd see from the likes of devo and oingo boingo. this second album is much more refined than their first. these guys are stereophonic mad scientists with sound, it's all over the place but it's written by very intelligent people. those basslines walk around the block like nobody's business, those beats NEVER stumble. a beautiful tornado of early new wave goodness.

So weird. So fun. So funky. So odd. So unique. So quirky. So silly. So... Talking Heads. From their least to most critically acclaimed works, Talking Heads has a style that is just so Talking Heads, no other artist/band can ever replicate or duplicate because none of them are as weird, fun, funky, odd, unique, quirky, or silly as these four. And for their second album, they can only go up from here, and they did.

Talking Heads were always a band I felt I should like, but I never really clicked with their music beyond the singles I heard from time to time. That changed a couple months ago. I’m not sure what changed exactly, but they finally made sense to me and they became one of my most listened to bands. I love the funky guitar and the focus on the rhythm section. Such a unique sound. I find it surprising that these guys were regulars at CBGBs because they don’t quite fit my image of the bands I thought played there

This was getting a strong 4, as it begins and ends with two of my favourite Talking Heads tracks. Now I reckon this is their most consistent album. 9/10.

I love Talking Heads. They are probably one of my 5 to 10 favorite bands/artists of all time. While Talking Heads 77 is great, I think this was a huge step forward and is at least a borderline masterpiece. It’s a weird, fun listen every time.

Just utter perfection. If ‘77 was a breakout of nervous energy, this masterpiece showed this band had depth, had craft, and had bigger dreams than CBGB. An utter classic among any number of classics from the Talking Heads.

More Songs About Buildings and Food This might be my 2nd favourite TH album behind Speaking in Tongues, on a par with, although very different than, Remain in Light and slightly head of Fear of Music and Talking Heads: 77 It definitely feels like a step forward from their first album, the rhythm section is similarly groove driven, but it feels more stronger and more agitated, and the guitar is slightly more prominent and more intertwined with the bass and drums. And Brian Eno’s keyboard and synth augmentations add a different texture than their first album, as well as his production skill adding a different dynamic. The lyrics are also slightly less opaque, although still enigmatic enough, but David Byrne’s bemusement at his inability to understand how ‘normal’ people live their lives is clear, particularly on The Big Country. It also has some of David Byrne’s best melodies and some of their best musical hooks. Thank You For Sending Me an Angel is a banger, I love the stomp of With our Love and as it changes to and from the synth bass parts. The Girl Wants to Be With The Girls has the great twinkly piano and an excellent bass riff and that great guitar motif around the chorus. Found a Job has that brilliant break into the synth/piano riff from 3.16 onwards and a brilliant rhythm overall. The Take Me to the River cover is great, excellent synth/organs. And Big Country is superb, with its country twinges and marching rhythm and detached lyric. There really isn’t a weak track for me, it’s a great album, unsurprisingly a 5 ➕🎶🏢🏢🍲

It's maybe their 4th best album and it's still absolutely amazing. They just knew how to write a song around an amazing groove. Those basslines and funky guitar riffs with David Byrne's wackiness topping it all off. What a band.

I've heard most of these before on Stop Making Sense but never the album proper! It's pretty great but not my fave talking heads. Still super danceable and cohesive though! 4.5

Fabulous find. I really enjoyed this throughout. Finished on a real high with The Big Country and its slide geetar. I need to explore more TH

Great album title and a great album. Enjoyed a lot. Was not really aware of their pre 80's stuff apart from "pyscho killer" and for some reason I thought they were Australian... Not a dud track on album - its's a very high 4 as want to hold back my 5's for the absolute classics.

Yeah. Hell yeah

Ah, good old talking heads. The first half is alright, but the second half is KILLER man. Pretty good album, but it’s not the best Talking Heads album.

Lots of fun. Nods to Motown and R&B throughout. Best thing I've listened to on here so far.

Eno’s production saves this from being a largely forgettable record. …and even then, a lot of songs from this record are more enjoyable live, as documented on “The Name of This Band is Talking Heads” (the superior Talking Heads live album, Stop Making Sense stans).

Solid album. Not my favorite by them.

not the best talking heads but they are just so unique and wonderful

Day 37 of Albums You Must Hear.. More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second album from New Wave band Talking Heads. I reviewed their debut album ‘77 about a month ago and enjoyed it. Talking Heads sophomore offering finds the band with a new producer, Brian Eno, who would help the band add a bit more danceability to their already polished sound, resulting in Talking Heads coming more into their own style that would become more and more “uniquely them” for the next few years. On MSABAF, singer David Byrne would broaden his singing a bit more, bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz would bring even more of a pulse to the rhythm section and Jerry Harrison would continue to create funky synthesizer and guitar effects. The cover of Al Green’s Take Me to the River was a smash hit for the band and is an absolute gem! I’m Not in Love is another great track that can easily get stuck in your head all day. I had fun with Talking Heads More Songs About Buildings and Food and their unique approach to punk rock. Please share your thoughts, memories and opinions!!

Here is the problem with the Talking Heads, and by the I mean my. I would love nothing more than to give this album a 1 cause I hate David Byrne that much. Yes, it is that petty I hate him and I would give this fucking thing 0 stars because of him. But every album has that one great song and just like my review for Talking Heads 77 if this album did not have Take Me To The River you would see a big ole single fucking star, but cannot give that one song a star so this album gets 2, and it should be happy it got 2.

Think I was in a bad mood. The more I listened to it the more I hated it

Why is it always the singing that sounds bad. Maybe it's just the thing of the old music I have never really paid attention to before but these albums really seem to have the same issue. Mid music, bad singing.

Occasional delights but mainly David Byrne's weird cadence waddling all over meandering melodies while Brian Eno tries to make sense of the mess of it. Lightning occasionally strikes but it's too seldom for me.

David Byrne is living proof that you can be on the autism spectrum, suck at singing, and still be a star. With Our Love sounds a lot like the songs off of Speaking In Tongues, specifically Girlfriend Is Better and Pull up the Roots. Found a Job is the album's stand out. Judy's in the basement // Inventing situations. Who can relate? Probably a top-five Weymouth bass-line, Byrne's singing is good here (I'll get into this), overall catchy song. I think this was an album for its time, and you need context to understand why it's considered important. This is me gently saying that this album mostly sucks. In 1978, David Byrne freakish delivery was considered interesting/quirky/transgressive/iconoclastic/insert $5 word here; now it just sounds bad. Warning Sign in particular is a real stinker. That's the problem with gimmicks. A big part of what made Talking Heads stand out was because of Byrne's singing; not because it was good, but because it was different. Now that forty + years have passed, the songs that we all remember, the songs that still get played today, are ironically the one's where Byrne does make an earnest attempt at singing - This Must Be The Place, Road To Nowhere, etc. Take Me to the River is fire, but you already knew that going into the album. I love at the end they go fuck it, country song.

I respect the hell outta David Byrnes, but this is some unlistenable shit

Instrumentals were decent but the lyrics and vocals were god awful.

What rhe flip

Did not expect to not like this at all, but the vocals were annoying as hell.

I had never really paid much attention to Talking Heads in the 80's. There were a few songs I would sing along to if they came on the radio, but none on this album I did not like it at all. I was so blown away by how awful this was, that I listened to it from start to finish TWICE to make sure I wasn't just being a cranky old man.................it was shit!!

No idea why this is here.

I did not enjoy this. Could not stand the vocalist. It did nothing for me all.

pretty shit

This didnt even work for me as background music.... The first song is unique, but then they all blur together...

Sounded like an album of people who try to be different just for the sake of being different. I'd pay to not have to listen to this again.

May be the worst album of the band

pedrada atras de pedrada, nao conhecia essa fase mais antiga deles, muito foda.

Loved this album- surprised as to how much I enjoyed the overall vibe and feel of it.

Traté de pensar un pero para no ponerle las 5 estrellas. Es cierto que no es su álbum más famoso o que tenga los sencillos más conocidos, pero el trabajo y la esencia están ahí.

Played this in the car just this week. Can't go wrong with a Talking Heads album!

Love these wacky kids, think they’re going places.

More like, "songs i really wanna dance to" haahaha (this is a bad joke) But seriously I found myself really loving this record. Stop Making Sense is one of my favorites of TH's discography and it's so so SO cool to see some of the blueprints of that here. Take Me To The River especially, a song that both albums share, is really cool to see how it changes via this original version and the live performance years later. Deeply danceable piano, some great guitar riffs and fantastic production and David Byrne's eccentric lyrics-- but as someone that already loves this band's sort of out there style, I've got a taste for this kind of sound specifically. Highlights: Found A Job, Artists Only, The Good Thing, Take Me To The River, The Big Country. Honestly there were no misses on this record at all! I absolutely loved it. I cannot wait to sink my teeth into their other albums in the future :D

I love them so much. Did you know that the front cover is made of 529 close up Polaroids? These guys ART, man

Talking Heads are one of my favourite bands and this record kicks ass.

For me Taking Heads can be hit and miss across an album, but this one was consistently top drawer (for them) from start to finish. The beat running through the songs was very danceable (I didn't put it to the test). The funky bass and guitar playing added to this feeling. Even David Byrne's vocals weren't too OTT. Loved it.

Jeg trodde ikke jeg var verdens største Talking Heads fan. Prøvde alltid å penetrere via det som skal være deres magnum opus, Remain in Light, men jeg forble for det meste i skyggen. Omsider hørte jeg det som gjerne omtales som deres nest beste verk, Fear of Music, og var mye mer ombord på det. Resten av skivene har jeg hørt lite på. Jeg hadde dette lastet ned, som betyr at jeg har hørt det i hvert fall én gang tidligere. Men det er som å høre det for første gang nå. Og fy faen for et skritt opp fra '77! Det bridger på en måte de jangly CBGB post-punk røttene til bandet med det mer poppa og world innflytelsene på Fear. More Songs About Food and Stuff har kanskje ikke de samme mesterverkene Fear of Music har, men det consistent og livsbejaende (dagens ord).

I’ve recently relistened to Remain in Light, and this was a perfect opportunity to listen to more Talking Heads. This is a groovy, tight-packed, and most importantly, fun listen. I’m a big fan of the anxious energy of Byrne’s vocals, and the groove of the drums and bass.

David Byrnes skabede vokal og resten af bandets uptempo rytmer skaber magi. Jeg har et nyt yndlings band

Yes ah please

Honestly one of my favorite bands of all time and I’m not sure why I gave the two previous Heads albums a 4. Possibly just overthinking it. I haven’t listened to this one all the way through before, just the hits, so it’s somewhat unfamiliar, although some passages are familiar from the tribute band we always went to. As an album, I think it combines the indie pop of ‘77 with the more aggressive sound on Fear of Music. It’s less childlike than ‘77, and maybe their most outright punk album. The two singles are still fantastic, but in some ways they don’t prepare you for the rest of it. Wonderful experience. Maybe I’m feeling more immediate, less analytical of the songs I haven’t heard so many times before. Maybe it’s just that I’m basically listening to some new (for me) Talking Heads songs in the year 2026!

The fun, funky era of Talking Heads, and a blast to listen to. Probably not my favorite Talking Heads album, but man it's still excellent. My friend's band used to cover Thank You For Sending Me An Angel, so kicking off with that track really put me in a good mood.

Favorite album from one of my favorite bands. An eccentric blend of new wave, punk, soul, funk and even country music that just lands perfect for me. Tina Weymouth's bass guitar on this album was a big influence when I was learning to play the instrument, especially on songs like "Artists Only", "The Girls Want to Be With the Girls" and the cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River". 10/10.

Made the initial mistake of putting this on in the background while gaming last night, so decided to give it a second shot before receiving my next album early this evening. And boy am I glad I did. This album was wonderful and truly took me on a journey whilst listening. Focusing in on the music and lyrics flipped my initial thoughts on this record. Byrne and Co create such a unique auditory world. So many twists and turns listening to these tracks. Glad I gave it its due! 5/5

Hay que considerar a Talking Heads como unos grandes renovadores de la escena del rock de los 70-80. Difíciles de clasificar, precisamente por su peculiar estilo, no vamos a poder desligar a la banda de ser un proyecto personalísimo de David Byrne. En este álbum se hacen un poco más bailables y la sección rítmica tiene mucho más peso. Se nota la producción de Brian Eno. Se escucha mejor con auriculares, como casi todo, pero así se aprecia cada detalle de mejor manera.

Me encantó. Este sonido me llegó de manera directa, cruda y encantadora. Asombrosos arreglos, interpretaciones, pulcro en todo sentido. Vanguardia total y sumamente neoyorquino. Hermoso disco!

Talking Heads always put a smile on my face - I love the peculiarity of them. Some great tracks on this album - the opening track (Thank you for sending me an angel), although quite short, sets the tone for the rest of the album, which powers along with foot-tapping joy. There's a great mixture of rhythms - "Warning Sign" features tight break-beats, while "Take me to the river" is more anthemic with deep reverb on the snare, and lots of funk-punk in between. Loved it :)

My fourth album by Talking Heads in this challenge, and one thing I’ve definitely realised after 800+ albums is that I love this band—and David Byrne is a genius. This is their second album and the first produced by Brian Eno. You can really hear them starting to find their sound here, with Eno’s influence bringing a sharper, more refined production. It feels like the beginning of something special. The opening run of tracks is fantastic. Thank You for Sending Me an Angel, With Our Love, and The Good Thing are all brilliant and set the tone early. The second half keeps it going too—Stay Hungry and Take Me to the River are standout moments. There’s a consistency across the album that makes it such an enjoyable listen. Favourite tracks: With Our Love is a fantastic track Least favourite tracks: Nothing stands out, every song earns its place Album artwork: Brilliant cover, simple but iconic

Big mouth Billy bass

- Fun ü

Really enjoyed listening to this album.

Great album to walk to. Good tunes and loved the transitions

Imposible darles menos !!

I LOVE THIS ALBUM SO MUCH