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.

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.

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.

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

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 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"

‘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.

"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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Starting to think that Talking Heads are pretty overrated

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...

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

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.

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!

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

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 ➕🎶🏢🏢🍲

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

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!!

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

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 just don't like his voice

May be the worst album of the band

Nire gustokoa da talde hau, gaztetan izan nintzen zineman "Stop Making Sense" pelikua ikusita eta handik aurrera... Diska hau eta "The name of this band is Talking Heads"... primerakoak dira!!!

Talking heads are s top 3 band of all time🙏

I once again greatly enjoyed a Talking Heads album

the album's pretty good. it's like the band finally found their quirk after finding a producer who encouraged them to be weird and hyper. i feel like most people are aware of this and as such they consider it their proper debut, sort of including myself. i don't even think there are any non-starters on this thing. it's all quite fun, from the first song to the last. however, i'm going to use this review to focus on a single song -- "The Big Country". i grew up in a flyover part of my state, best known for cattle silage and bus accidents. for a vacation, my family would north to South Dakota. there, you'd see towns with downtowns that weren't really meant for the people who lived there; rather, they were for tourists with cameras and hotel reservations like us. everyone in those towns worked and lived for people who did not live there. the words "i wouldn't live there if you paid me to" always brought to mind the tourist's paradox; by the simple act of visiting and not living, you're essentially perpetually out of place. "the flyover states." it's got to be demeaning to be thought of as that. i don't know if David Byrne was being ironic with this song; i have always assumed it was. the slide guitar always seems like it's poking fun not of the country music of that area, but of the idea people get of it. the people of small town America enjoy their lives and here he is in a little metal box with wings, separated from the real world, seeing all the fun they have and life they live, thinking he wouldn't live there if they paid him. the arrogance and stupidity, even though so many of us living there don't wanna be there either. can you really hate a small town if you never lived there? does anyone who lives in a small town really hate it, or are they just bored? do rocks hate the lakes they've been cast into or do they simply adjust to the water? anyway, good album.

You can hear them get funkier as this album progresses. Starting with the angular guitar attack through to the groove of Take Me to The River (not to mention the laid-back country swagger of The Big Country). It's an amazing transformation, almost like you can hear the band loosen up and get less taut and nervous, while also tightening up as a rhythm unit, and it makes this one of my favorite Talking Heads records. Essential.

Kerniger Sound, unglaubliche Stimme. Super!

Quite probably my favourite Talking Heads record. So many interesting and unique sounds on this one.

Love the talking heads

This, their debut, and Remain In Light go back in forth as my favorite. It is slightly more polished than their debut and feels like their classic sound. I can see how some don't like Byrne's vocals but he is one of my all time heros. I love his aloofness/ manic energy he puts off, he always makes such unique observations is his lyrics as well. Tina's bassline in Found a Job is one of my favorites ever. Everyone if firing on full cylinders. The heights on their debut and Remain in Light might be higher but this feels more consistent than either. I love every song on here, the thing that might put it just below a perfect rating is the larger impact this album had on its community. I would argue the debut and Remain in Light both had more influence/were more groundbreaking while this one just continues where they left off on their debut. Still though probably my favorite front to back listening experience of Talking Heads, easily in my top 10 favorite bands. Rating: 4.9

More words about Byrnes and Eno. So, the last time I talked about a Talking Heads album, I was going on about how I enjoyed their third album more than the first two because it was with FEAR OF MUSIC they finally gained that all-too-important "disco" element to their sound. The part that made their songs danceable, and, to my ears, just a bit more enjoyable than the earlier, stiffer post-punk nerd funk sound on their other two albums. It should be noted that when I wrote that review, it'd been a few years since I'd heard MORE SONGS ABOUT BUILDINGS AND FOOD, and I hadn't exactly gone back to see if my description of it fit. 'Coz, honestly, listening to this album again knowing why I like the stuff on FEAR OF MUSIC and REMAIN IN LIGHT so much... Y'know, it deserves a bit more credit than I was willing to give it in that other review. The band does sound much looser here than I remember them sounding on their debut, and while I wouldn't say it's danceable as much as FEAR OF MUSIC is — this thing's cover of "Take Me To The River" is no "Living During Wartime", in that regard... Certainly, it hits me a lot better than their debut did. I can tap my foot and bop my head and groove in my seat to it (that's the most I dance, because believe me, I cannot). So, yeah, that's about the size of it. It's a really fun album and deserves credit for being where they started getting dance-y. And seriously, why haven't I gone and listened to STOP MAKING SENSE like I said I would back in that other review? Goodness me, now **that's** an album should be here.

A pretty damn good continuation of the kinds of songs started in 77. Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 5. The randomizer giving us this album one day after Brian Eno & David Byrne’s collab “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts” is one of the more remarkable things that’s happened. Somehow, I still don’t really have an answer to if Eno influenced Byrne more on that album or vice-versa, but I’m not mad about that – this might be one of the more remarkable production jobs I’ve heard yet from Brian Eno, and he’s worked on a lot of stuff so far on this list. For a second album, I think it’s interesting that this feels so different from Talking Heads ‘77. A lot of that album’s DNA is still very present here, as it should be, but most of David Byrne’s eccentricities feel more purposefully controlled here. His “weirdness” on ‘77 felt sort of abrasive, at least back when we got that album on day 38 of this whole thing. On this album, while it’s all still there, it feels far more endearing. I could chalk that up to listening to many, many weirder albums since then, as well as “Fear of Music”, but I really do think something about the structure of each track has been simplified here, in a way that’s more commercially appealing without sacrificing David Byrne’s vision. It feels like a natural evolution, while still feeling uniquely different. That entire commercial appeal is thanks to Brian Eno, but his contributions compensate for the slight sterilization of David Byrne – the instrumentals on this album more than add the “weird” factor that Byrne’s missing, but that weirdness is channeled into innovation for 1978 that’s too damn electric to ignore. While this might not seem as strange now, I have to imagine the heavier emphasis from the band on guitar riffs, basslines, drums breaks, all textured by some ambient Eno strings & synth work made for an especially unique blend back then, punctuated by David Byrne’s more controlled vocals gliding on these tracks. I really feel like I can hear a lot of 80s new wave / synthpop tricks here, and while it would be more refined in the decade to come, this is a pretty good swing. Seriously, I’m just impressed by how well Brian Eno embedded himself into David Byrne & the band’s sensibilities like this; maybe I just haven’t given him enough credit as a more malleable producer, given how much I associate him with ambient music, but this sounds fantastic for the time, especially from “Artists Only” onward. That is a great 5-track stretch, though I might’ve flipped around the last two tracks. I really liked this, what can I say? I’m glad the first 3 albums by Talking Heads are on the list, because it does feel like a proper rise in quality from album to album. This isn’t as good as “Fear of Music” to me, but it’s right behind it, and equally as enjoyable. It’s a rather good 5.

I love the talking heads

Understated masterpiece of scratchy funky indie. Bursting with ideas. You never know where it’s going to go next. Almost fifty years old and still packs a serious wallop.

This is when Talking Heads started to get more consistent and really find themselves. It's a wonderful (but imperfect) sophomore album, and contains some of their best songs, especially "Take Me to the River."

Ah here we go. Such an evolution from the first album. All of the songs are good. Eno helps. That rhythm section. The groove that sneaks up on you in Found A Job and I'm Not In Love. Take Me To The River.

Good

9/10

What does one even say about the Talking Heads? They’re such a unique musical entity, often imitated, but David Byrne is simply uncopyable. There’s a certain magic on the first few Talking Heads records, and this one almost perfectly encapsulates that magic. It’s a little more up-tempo and poppy than their first record, but it’s still very much a weird and fun new-wave masterpiece. There’s not much more to say here, it’s an excellent album with unreasonably high levels of replayability. 5*

What is there to say about the Talking Heads? I feel like a lot of the time they kinda get reduced to goofy guy with big suit, psycho killer, this is not my beautiful wife wacky band which is a shame. But im going to focus on this album specifically. ‘More Songs’ is their first collaboration with Brian Eno and shows the first steps away from the CBGB sorta post punk live recording feel on their debut ‘77’ towards their next two studio albums, ‘Fear of Music’ and ‘Remain in Light’ which are lightyears away stylistically. ‘More Songs’ represents the band at a true inflection point in the evolution of their sound and for nerdy superfans of the band i imagine that must be pretty exciting or something, idk. Something i love about this album is that it’s very dense. There’s little to no time wasted and of the eleven tracks, no fewer than seven are absolute bangers. Some i feel the need to mention specifically: “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel”, the shortest track on the album, is a fantastic example of what opening tracks should be; “Warning Sign” and especially the first minute of straight grooves; everything about their cover of “Take Me To The River”; and “The Big Country”, which i think is lyrically a fascinating song that my perspective on has changed a lot as i have gotten older but i have always always enjoyed just as much. This is actually one of my two least favorite Talking Heads albums, along with ‘True Stories’. If today were the first time I’d heard it, i would probably give it 4 ⭐️, but considering all the replay value I’ve gotten out of it through the years and will surely continue to get, i don’t think anything less than 5 ⭐️ is fair.

I'm sure Talking Heads having so many entries on this list is going to elicit some eyerolls, but fortunately I love them, so you'll get no complaints from me. This is probably the weakest of their three Brian Eno-produced albums, but that still didn't stop me from listening to it multiple times; and I see no reason to rate this any less than the other two albums considering a Talking Heads low is still way better than an alleged high for many of these other artists.

Love this album and own it!!

One of the best

Love love love love

An old favorite.

Never stops amazing me how talented this group of musicians is. Tina and Chris bring some soul to the album with their funky rhythms. Jangly and fresh guitar and vocals from Byrne and Harrison sync to the rhythm in a weird landscape of fun.

Very unorthodox and weird, I felt like I was listening to bad music but I actually loved it. Maybe a little repetitive beat at times. Props for being super unique, fun, interesting, upbeat, and consistent but not stagnant

Not one of my fave Talking Heads albums. I always thought Eno’s production goes a little too spacey on a couple of the tracks that should have a dryer sound given their tight funky punky arrangements. That being said, they’re probably my favorite band and this is still brilliant as hell.

Where has this been all my life

9/10

Very solid

Really good and funky

Y’know when I was first listening to Talking Heads ‘77 I kept thinking to myself “I wish these guys made more songs. And I wish those songs were about buildings and food”. I guess they had the same idea. Just a fantastic album. Not sure if I like this or Fear Of Music more.

This may be the first time I’ve listened to this album in a complete sitting, and damn I’ve missed out. Really enjoyed the tracks I’d obviously heard over the years, but there’s so much more. Another great pick for the list.

If neurotypical people ask me what Autism feels like, I would tell them to listen to Talking Heads. As a person on The Spectrum, David Bryne’s lyrics about trying to find his place in society sometimes hits a little too close to home. Great album from start to finish.

This was superb. Will be listening again.

Personal favorite - “With our love” and “The Good Thing”. Album to vibe to. The first part of the album was very enjoyable and fun to listen to - gives a lot of energy and retro futuristic vibes. The last half is a bit more dull but, still not hating it. Amazing find

no skips on this

Glad this came up after a bunch of average albums. Great stuff as expected by the talking heads. Take me to the river is the best track but everything jams out. I could have this on all day.

Tightest rhythm section I’ve heard in a minute and the songs all groove insanely hard. Excellent throughout

David Byrne is a visionary. This one might take the cake over remain in light ; the good thing, found a job, artists only, I’m not in love, stay hungry we’re favorites actually it’s too hard to pick. I was audibly excited by every single track.

Every song is peppered with great riffs and licks. The songs are forever moving into different catchy phrases, vocal and musical, punk, funk, disco, new-wave. And the tempo is pumping throughout. Eno was fresh out of Low - there is none of that Berlin-brooding here, but he gives it a driving consistency. Perversely, the single 'Take Me to the River' is the weak spot for me, and doesn't replace the majesty of Al Green's version with anything much interesting. But this album is easily a five so can afford a small trip up. Superb.

iconic, revolutionary and classic

Really interesting album with creative and varied song ideas.

I was excited to throw this record on the turntable on Sunday for a dance party, only to discover in shock that this is one of the few Talking Heads albums I don't have a physical copy of! A lot of my favorite tracks are on this one: The Good Life, Found a Job, The Big Country... if I keep going I'll just list all of the songs.

The talent of Brian Eno, the artistic vision of the Talking Heads, along with the genius of David Byrne made everything they created feel extraterrestrial. I’ve yet to hear one of their songs that doesn’t suck me in or hype me up. Mad love for them and their influence.

A very decent album. The songs still sound cool after years.

Splendid and superb album. In my opinion their best and that's saying something. The mixtures of rhythms, styles and hooks just mesh so perfectly yet awkwardly. A must listen.

girls are getting into abstract analysis

strange epicness david byrne is a silly don

Their distinctive style showed up some real sophistication and musicianship. Found myself really vibing. Would listen again

There are two kinds of people. People who love the talking heads, and people you eventually realize have never said a single interesting thing.

Love this album. Somehow defines and also transcends new wave. This is a band just starting to understand their own potential and greatness.

a really fun album. it's not as out there as the other talking heads albums i've listened to over the course of this project and felt a little more mainstream, so i liked it a bit better. it's still off kilter and still very much talking heads, but it felt a lot more accessible to me than some of the other stuff i listened to. what can i say, i really really liked it!

There are ‘smart’ albums you’ll have to be in a heady mood to enjoy (TPAB, Trout Mask Replica) - at the very least they require taking time out of the day to absorb. Then there are albums like this, which are ‘smart’ but don’t in the same way demand an investment. Not the best Talking Heads, but it endures. And what an opener to send it off.

FINALLY smth good Not my fav talking heads album but still awesome

Absolutely class. Byrne and Co are geniuses!

Very cool and relaxing music! One of the inspiration for 2000s indie/alternative bands.

Tbh I think every album needs more songs about buildings and food. Talking heads rules. This album isn’t an exception.