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.

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

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.

‘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.

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"

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

"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.

The singing is just horrible, like Chris Martin horrible.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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'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

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.

Yeah. Hell yeah

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

Solid album. Not my favorite by them.

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.

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).

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!!

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

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

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.

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.

I just don't like his voice

May be the worst album of the band

If I stick to my goal of one release per band, I am not sure this would be my Talking Heads entry. However, this is a great disc and has one foot in the version of punk they displayed on their first release and one foot into the funk, rhythmic focus that would dominate the next few releases. Tina Weymouth is tremendous throughout. As Talking Heads are in my top five of all time, I recommend all of their releases (even True Stories).

Easily one of my favorite bands, fantastic album

cool

This is the second Talking Heads album that I've gotten on this list (the first being Remain in Light), and I absolutely loved this album. I loved the rhythm-heavy sound of this album, both for the bass and lead guitar parts. The rhythm focused sound worked well regardless of whether the song was a faster tempo, like the lead track "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel," or a slower tempo, like the cover of "Take Me to the River." And speaking of the title track, "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" was the perfect way to start this album off. There were some wonderful piano, organ, and synthesizer parts on this album as well, especially on "Artists Only," "Stay Hungry," and the "Take Me to the River." This album had the perfect amount of funk influence, and even a little rockabilly in my opinion. Every track on here was fantastic, with "I'm Not in Love" being my favorite of the bunch. I don't know if the sound of this album was due completely to Brian Eno's production, or if it was just the direction the band decided to take, but either way, this is a masterpiece of late 70's post punk music.

В последнее время это одна из моих любимых групп, так шо все альбомы зоходят. Жаль, что тут не ремейн ин лайт, можно было бы побольше расписать. А так альбом выдержанный, вайбовый, звучный. 10/10.

Talking Heads have at least 3, probably 4, albums which are arguably their best. This is one of them. Straight 🔥

Another brilliant Talking Heads album.

This is the album where Talking Heads started putting some space between them and the other bands of the time, making a move in the direction of funk/electronic dance music. Songs like “Warning Sign” and “Stay Hungry” are good examples (and I was thrilled they played them when I saw them live in ‘80). “Artists Only” is fresh, and along with “Found a Job” offer up Davis Byrne’s lyrics at this hilarious best. There isn’t a weak song on the album, though when I was in University and I asked a friend to tape it for me, I requested that leave out “Take me to the River”. It seemed like a shame to include a soul cover on such a ground-breaking collection of original songs. But one thing that 1001 has taught me is that it’s rare for albums to be remembered if they don’t include a single for mass appeal. The first 4 TH LPs get 5s from me but this one easily has the best title.

I recall reading an article on Reddit recently asking which group has released the best three album streak. The usual suspects like the Beatles and Led Zep were in that list, but Talking Heads also got a lot of votes and deservedly so. Actually they one upped those legendary bands with four consecutive monster albums starting with their astonishing debut, Talking Heads 77, then More Songs about buildings and food, Fear of Music and Remain in light. More Songs was also the first of three produced by Brian Eno and it was a stroke of genius to combine them in the studio, truly lightning in a bottle. This album is unrelentingly brilliant, every fricking song is a killer, absolutely no filler. Also, some of the segueways are also a match made in heaven, flowing so effortlessly into each other eg. The Good thing --> Warning Sign, I'm not in love ---> Stay Hungry. Tina Weymouth's bass is so infectious, Chris Franz' drumming is tight and punky and Byrne's funky jerky guitar riffs are a perfect foil to his equally herky jerky singing style. And I haven't even mentioned their hit single Take me to the river yet, but thats moot since I've already said enough to give this album 5 stars.

Love this album and a big fan of this new wave-post punk genre

Yup yup yup

I always love some Talking Heads. From the interesting rhythmic guitar playing to the unique vocals, this is a great album. I also love the Brian Eno production, which probably at least in part due to the fact that it’s Brian Eno. Amazing, and it only foreshadows the absolute masterpiece Remain in Light.

One of my least favorite albums from my favorite band. Still... it's Talking Heads...

First David Byrne/Talking Heads project I've gotten on this generator, as well as my first time actually listening to a full album, and it does not disappoint. I never realized how funky this could get, and the fact that this is so ahead of its time comparatively is just awesome. What an excellent album, looking forward to more.

I can’t believe this is from the 70s. All of the post punk that I love now is directly influenced from talking heads. Dave Byrne can’t miss.

You gotta love some Brian Eno produced talking heads.

Solid album as always from them.

As TH no. 1 fan ;) I think that this album should be replaced by Speaking With Tongues, which to my best knowledge isn't among the 1000 (and one). Still, it's great to observe the transformation of the band from '77 to Fear Of Music. If you ever wondered how the mix of '77 and FOM would look like, that's the answer. When you listen to all the band's albums, it'll become very clear that an album like "More Songs..." had to be recorded. For me it always seemed like a natural step and maybe that's why I wasn't focusing on it. But songs like: "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel", "Found a Job'', "I'm Not in Love", "Stay Hungry", "The Big Country" and "Take Ne to the River" are absolutely TOP. I also have to say that "The Good Thing" sounds too calm and predictable for a TH song and "Artist Only" sounds too much like a Talking Heads song.

Perfect

Objective masterpiece such as all the first four albums by this amazing band called Talking Heads.

Timeless music. Miles better than most of the other albums on the list.

Three full albums later, I GET IT NOW! I LIKE TALKING HEADS. Standout tracks are With Our Love, Artists Only, and Take Me to the River.

Much more acoustic than later Talking Heads stuff. Take me to the river stands out as the big banger. Overall cool look into what they would become

I understand that Byrne's vocals might not be for some, but me personally, I love them. The bass lines and funky sounding guitar hooks throughout this album make it really fun, and very different. Absolutely awesome album.

Own this on vinyl, love all things Talking Heads!

Well I was expecting to hate this. Instead, Bowie and I had a super fun dance party. Loved it

I'm a huge Talking Heads fan. There will be Talking Heads albums (that I assume appear on this list) that WILL hit 5 stars. I even considered giving this one a perfect rating. In fact, in the writing of this and in considering why I *wouldn't*, I talked myself into doing just that.

I love a T-Heads and Eno collaboration, always. Eno has a way of teasing the best work out of brilliant artists, and it's no different here. These songs are quirky and energetic, frequently strange, adventurous and insanely funky. This is the kind of album that's full of angular twists and turns, without much in the way of hooks. You have to work a little to settle into this one, but once you're in the groove, it's amazing. The funny part is that one of the greatest covers of all time resides on this album, and it's not even remotely the most interesting song. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): I'm Not in Love, Stay Hungry, The Big Country, Found a Job, Artists Only, Take Me to the River, Thank You for Sending Me an Angel, The Good Thing, With Our Love, Warning Sign, The Girls Want to Be with the Girls

This is a perfect album. Easily my most listened to output from Talking Heads. Not a miss on the whole album. The bass line on "Warning Sign" might be my favorite bass line ever.

Saw them on their first tour here, at Sydney’s beautiful State Theatre. Went with my Girlfriend Julie & my gay friend, Fish. I was already in love with the band - I think Life During Wartime had just been released. I went home convinced I had just seen the next big thing. Fish went home having fallen in love with the dreadful support band, Mi-Sex. This album sounds as fresh today as it did then. Talking Heads were unique. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel is as good an opening track as you would want. It literally gallops - as does I’m Not In Love. In fact, as do so many cuts here. The flow between tracks is great - 1 runs into 2, 3 runs into 4. You’re breathless after Side 1, but Side 2 keeps at it. There’s a sidetrack with the band’s cover of the Al Green classic, Take Me To The River, one of the great covers of all time, but by the album’s end with The Big Country, you just knew David Byrne & genius producer Brian Eno were onto something great. And the great rhythm section should not be overlooked. I was lucky enough to see Byrne’s American Utopia tour in 2018. A genius still.

my top 2

Automatic five stars

The first of a trio of masterpieces (and my second-favorite of the bunch). There is not an ounce of fat on this record and not a single disposable track. I would also recommend this as the perfect introduction album for Talking Heads. The Big Country is my favorite track.

wtwtw

Take me to the river was the only song I recognized, super cool song and album. His singing is kinda hilarious at times but I am a huge fan of David Byrne. 4? 5?

The Talking Heads’ first album with Brian Eno as producer is new wave masterpiece. The pop elements certainly date this album, but are not intrusive or cloying. You can definitely hear the seeds of their sound that would be defined in Remain in Light and Speaking in Tongues. David Byrne’s lyrics are hyper focused to the point of near absurdity but I absolutely love them. Honestly, I’ll give a 5 to most Talking Heads albums, but they truly deserve it.

When I first discovered Talking Heads it felt like a gift. Something so new I didn’t even know that I needed. This album still sounds groundbreaking and I still love it.

Fun album! Would listen again. Holds interest for sure!

Take me to the river

I don't know why I love her like I do All the changes you put me through Take my money, my cigarettes I haven't seen the worst of it yet I want to know that you'll tell me I love to stay Take me to the river, drop me in the water Take me to the river, dip me in the water Washing me down, washing me down I don't know why you treat me so bad Think of all the things we could have had Love is an ocean that I can't forget My sweet sixteen I would never regret I want to know that you'll tell me I love to stay Take me to the river, drop me in the water Push me in the river, dip me in the water Washing me down, washing me Hug me, squeeze me, love me, tease me 'Til I can't, 'til I can't, 'til I can't take no more of it Take me to the water, drop me in the river Push me in the water, drop me in the river Washing me down, washing me down I don't know why I love you like I do All the troubles you put me through Sixteen candles there on my wall And here am I the biggest fool of them all I want to know that you'll tell me I love to stay Take me to the river and drop me in the water Dip me in the river, drop me in the water Washing me down, washing me down

Really great TH album. Possibly the best...

great

Perfection!

Talking Heads are in my top 5 fav bands of all time. There are only a couple of releases that aren't a 5 and this isn't one of them.

Great album, sounds stronger than their first and you can feel the confidence through the strong grooves throughout.

Tempora mutantur, this is one of those records and moments that changed everything. My next door neighbour left school early and went and got a job in a record bar, as you did in those far off 70's days. I went to visit her during Thursday night shopping (another life changing innovation) on my way to Maroubra Junction library and she said "buy this, it will change your life". And she was right, I listened to this in 78 and everything changed (I'd missed the first album and thought this was their first). The Pistols had scared me (they were scary..) and as much as I loved EC from the get go, I knew the traditions he was drawing on. But this, bloody hell. Even though I didn't know it at the time, as a riposte to the dreaded CSNY (hope you are well Stephen) I indeed went and cut my hair. I also gleefully frisbeed Supertramp's Even in The Quietest Moments into the clothesline, felt I was pretty rad and punk for doing it too (no doubt that fucking record is probably going to pop up in this process, Rick Davies revenge..). Just the album cover alone was an inspiration, I went and knicked my mum's polaroid camera and wasted a hell of lot of shots finding out how hard it was to assemble a shot of your head! I think the beauty of it is the creative tension between Byrne/Eno and Frantz/Weymouth, with Jerry happily looking on and providing so much of the pad to all of these great songs. Take I'm Not In Love, the riff, the rhythm section, the spoken word and the stops, tension tension tension, perfect. Artists Only, all the Byrne themes are there, offset nicely by the bass harmonics, and then Harrison's superb organ riffing..it leads us into the funky mind fuck that is David thinking whatever it is he's thinking about as a songwriter. The lightness leads to dark, while his little meditation on getting his stuff out of his head unfolds. Ditto Warning Signs, glissando bass line perfectly complementing David's musings and Frantz's funky drumming. A truly great record.

I hadn't listened to this one all the way through before. I own Little Creatures and much preferred this within the second tier popularity Talking Heads albums. It's probably less innovative than some others... But it felt less like riding a wave in a bunch of different directions, stopping and going. More grounded in some way. This felt like maybe the easiest background music talking heads album, and probably the easiest to listen to -- i could see myself having this one in background in the way I have Darklands in the background a lot right now. Wish it had at least 1-2 more hits on it.

you can really see brian eno’s influence on this album, and it feels like exactly what i want from the talking heads.

I loved it, it had a very unique sound.

Fantastic, enjoyed this immensely

It’s just a mesmerising collection of rhythms and auditory patterns. Like Jackson Pollock on a 45.

Very good. Love the driving rhythms. Will be listening to more of Talking Heads.

Cool album. Kind of has an 80’s rock vibe with som modern production. Favorite songs are the last two : “I’m so lonely you could die”and “Heat” The title track is cool kinda reminds me of the talking heads (I thought it may have been a David Byrne colab). Other favorites are “ If you can see me” and “Dancing out in Space” Feels hard to rate this after listening only once. 4.5

Talking Heads you say? Well they're no Stuart Maconie in the talking heads stakes. When was the last time you saw David Byrne on one of those I Heart The 1980s, I Heart the 1990s, I Heart Whatever Happened A Week Last Tuesday TV shows? And when was the last time Stuart Maconie wasn't featured in one of those I Heart The 1980s, I Heart the 1990s, I Heart Whatever Happened A Week Last Tuesday TV shows? Byrne just isn't putting the work in to be considered a real top level talking head. He's just not in the conversation when Channel 4 are looking for someone to reminisce about the first series of Big Brother. This album is great though, I'm sure Maconie has pretended he remembers its release vividly on some nostalgia-fest TV show or other.

I have the deepest love for David Byrne and I already knew I loved this album so an easy 5 for me.

Love the Talking Heads!

I love this album I love everything Talking Heads do.

one of the all time greats, massively overlooked within the Talking Heads catalogue

Bastante buen disco

super fun, super good, really great album

Got this a few weeks ago and originally gave it a 3 and forgot about it, but haven’t stopped listening to it today. Vocals were so unique. drums and bass spazzed the entire album. Take me to the river and the big country was an extremely powerful 1 2 punch to close out the album. “Everything Hit” - Nav