Reviews (page 6 of 13)
Enjoyable, distinctive sound. Take Me To The River is one of those songs that feels like it rolls along, with a little build-up suppressed energy. I like that vibe; feels like the song is about to get away from the band but they hold it back (barely). There's a freshness to the album's sound somehow, possibly due to Byrne's vocal style. He often sounds like he's experimenting, riffing on the fly, seeing what happens when he changes his breath and resonance.
I've quite enjoyed this. I've always always had a bit of a chip on my shoulder against Talking Heads. Something about the voice. It's grumped me in the past. But this time, this listen, the first, the second and the third, it's all been satisfying and enjoyable. Lyrically interesting. Musically interesting. Finally, vocally is a bit of a key down, but it is what David Byrne is, so I enjoyed him too, after a bit. 4 stars. Ahead of the pack.
An excelllent album, maybe not essential. A bit less twitchy than their debut album, a solid record.
Well, I learned something new today. Reading the band’s bio page on my music app. They said this album was “Art Pop”. Yep, I hear it. I would really just call it a lot of fun. This album carried a lot of sounds of the 1980s music that I grew up loving. I know, this album was released in 1978, but they were obviously honing the sound that would carry them through the next decade. Big fan of this!
The best album by a head based band.
Talking Heads are a great band!
Enjoyable. Keep up the great work!
Such a fun album. I wanted to dance the entire time I was walking. The bass player sure knows how to write a catchy bass line. Love David burns energy. You can tell they find their sound on this album but don't quite have it refined yet.
Still love Talking Heads. But what I’ve discovered is that I adore individual songs and not entire albums. At least not yet. There are a bunch of individual tracks that are great. But as a whole it’s just good. But my epic playlist with all my favorite Talking Heads songs flows better. 4/5
The Big Country reminds me of planning school lol, I like it. Take me to the River has a catchiness to it; no wonder it has by far the most listens on the album.
very good very nice
Pretty solid, take me to the river was the first song I remember of the talking heads.
While this isn't the definitive Talking Heads record, it's the exact sound I think of when I think about Talking Heads.
The first of the Brian Eno Trilogy Only properly heard Remain in light and 77' before but this is right up there with them in my opinion
cool talking heads songs
It’s really more of a 3.5 or 3.75
Take me to the River and Psycho Killer are two I have. The rest sound too same. 4/5
Not the best Talking Heads album, but still really damn good and unique. Most of the songs here sound better on live albums, especially Stay Hungry.
This was so much fun. I thought I knew the talking heads, but I never heard this album, and I guess most of what I heard came after. This was so raw and unpolished. I loved it and all it's crazy nonsense.
It's not the best Talking Heads, but it's still excellent. I would say that there's parts of this record that are a bit flat maybe? But I'm nit-picking because expectations are high from David Byrne.
Up there, but not my top TH album. Lots of great tracks; Stay Hungry Juice Fam. Artists Only, The Good Thing. And of course Big Mouth Billy Bass
Had high hopes because I've heard praises about talking heads in general. Very solid record. Didn't like some songs but the low lows were mediocre but the high highs were exceptional.
For the two members who care about my review… An amazing album in the dance/ synth category. Almost experimental at times, Talking Heads blend several genres into their own style such as the country twang guitar on the solo in “Artist Only”, “Stay Hungry” or “Big Country”. Loved this one. I have no clue how people prefer this version of “take me to the river” over Al Green’s. 🥇Thank you for Sending Me an Angel 🥈Artists Only 🥉Stay Hungry HM: The Good Thing
Straight up, this was a GROOVY album. The Jangly guitars throughout the record are so addicting. I love how the bass guitar is put on the forefront of most songs here, and it just further "funkifies" the record. I can't say it enough, the production is on point. I would have to double check, but this is yet another record where an artist early in their career finds their niche- and I feel like that was accomplished here. 1978 Timmy would've totally scooped a dime and played this on the way to watch John Carpenters Halloween.
Talking Heads are the blueprint for LCD Soundsystem with a mix of velvet underground and I love it. I wanna visit all their music cause I wanna watch stop making sense so bad. The beats on this record are amazing. It starts incredibly, with some jockey giddy songs like, Thank you for sending me an angel and The Good thing. The good thing is the highlight of the record for me. This album does feel like it has alot of influences with the strokes "the new abnormal" and Djo Decide. I hear it on Take me to the River and Im not in love. This album feels like a Jam session with your friends where you are just having fun. Something about this sounding like a live album yet not being makes it feel it so real and awesome. I was gonna give it a 3 but I think it is a 4 8/10
4.5/5
Now, this is the version of the Talking Heads I like. Did I have any idea what he was saying during half of the songs on the album? Nope. Did the lyrics make a ton of sense on the ones I did understand? Sometimes. Was the whole album full of bangers? Absolutely. This is the sort of album that makes you want to dance the entire time. It's catchy, it's fun, it has some crazy bass lines. David Byrne's talk-singing can get a little irritating at time, but the music is fun enough for me to get over it. Much more enjoyable than Remain in Light (sorry if that's blasphemous). Favorite songs: Warning Sign, Found a Job, Artists Only, Take Me to the River 4/5
A bridge between the fun but uneven art punk debut and the near perfect two albums that follow.
I’ve always liked The Talking Heads.
Great album! Their famous cover of “Take Me to the River” is on this album. You can tell that they are inches from their signature sound.
Great record but I'll save five stars for Fear of Music and Remain in Light.
Great album
It was really good, I really enjoyed it. It just wasn’t better than remain in light or speaking in tongues.
Alternative rock. The Talking Heads are one of my favorite bands and I already know all their music. This is a curious choice for this list, imo, since there are at least 4 Heads albums I like better. The Talking Heads have a very unique sound -- driving beat, edgy and almost frenzied guitar riffs, David Byrne's quirky vocals -- and this record is immediately recognizable as their work. Take Me To The River was the big hit single but The Big Country, Thank You For Sending Me an Angel & I'm Not In Love are all excellent. This album doesn't seem like a big step forward from Talking Heads '77 except for the more advanced and complex rhythms. Still, it showcases the cutting social commentary lyrics and innovative sound palette the band is justifiably famous for.
This is exactly what I always hope Talking Heads to sound like — energetic and punky, but still somewhat sophisticated. I'm still no big fan of David Byrnes vocal, but this is still an album I'll be revisiting.
Funky, konzeptuell, luftig. Gerne wieder.
Despite the manipulative controlling behavior of David Byrne to steal most of the song credits for himself, whether he deserved them or not, Talking Heads is a great, tight, and very creative instrumental band that took influences from everywhere they could. The most enjoyable songs are "Thank You For Sending Me an Angel", "Found a Job", "I'm Not in Love", "Stay Hungry", and of course their version of the Al Green cover "Take Me to the River" (which is better as the up tempo number on their live album, but more on that later) Byrne's voice is mixed low, which makes it impossible at times to make out what he is singing about without looking up the lyrics, and even when you have you still have no idea what he is on about, but the instrumentation is so funky and gripping that you don't care. This band's sound is defined by the wife and husband team of Tina Weymouth on bass guitar and Chris Frantz on drums. No one sounded like them then and frankly no one quite sounds like them now, despite most indie/art bands giving it their best effort. Having said all that, I agree with what others have said on the reviews of Talking Heads albums on this list, which is simply that there are TOO many Talking Heads albums on this list. The only Talking Heads that ACTUALLY BELONGS on this list is the Talking Heads album that is not on this list, and that is perhaps one of the greatest live albums ever recorded, Talking Heads: Stop Making Sense. It should be on this list because not merely that it is a greatest hits collection of Talking Heads, but it features arrangements that actually work, and they managed to present them to a live audience at peak performance ability. So remove all of their other albums, and replace them with STOP MAKING SENSE, which covers their contribution and opens up slots for other important albums.
Pretty good but nothing by them tops Remain in Light for me.
4.5
Of the popular Talking Heads albums this is the one I have listened to the least. After a straight-through listen, I see why. This is a fine album with plenty of solid songs, but it doesn't have the same spark that draw me repeatedly to Remain in Light and Speaking in Tongues. Standouts to me are Warning Sign -> Found a Job, Take Me to the River, and I'm Not in Love. Plenty to enjoy here. Soft-ish 4 / 5
Solid album that isn't carried by it's big hits like I have experienced with other Talking Heads albums. Was listening to this one while bouncing inside and outside while grilling so I don't have any real stand outs or details to share, but I was always grooving to this one.
I think Talking Heads either work for you or don't. I'm glad I was born with the Talking Heads-enjoyer gene. This isn't my favorite TH record, but still a damn good sophomore effort. I love the bass, I love David Byrne's strange and kind of charming delivery, and I love the texture and sound of this thing. Highlights: Thank You For Sending Me an Angel, Warning Sign, Found a Job, I'm Not In Love, Take Me to the River (another great cover), The Big Country
Les Talking Heads avec plus de retenue, un abandon dans la musique, la recherche de l’ailleurs où elle peut nous mener
Love these guys, but not my favorite album of theirs
Great album
As much as I love the afro-beat and experimental aspects of the big three(fear, remain, speaking) these first two albums are new wave gold
Love the funk. Fun listen. Could see myself putting it on often.
Amazing
Very talking heads. Fun and funky, but maybe not my new favorite album
Very cool album with cool sound. Felt old school but modern at the same time. Groovyyyy
I'm most definitely a Talking Heads fan, but I'm actually quite indifferent about this album. It's one where I feel like every track is 3 or 4 stars, no standouts, no real flaws. Fave Tracks: Warning Sign, The Girls Want to Be With the Girls, Stay Hungry, The Big Country 3.6/5
Every song sounds the same.
Scho wieder talking heads?. Hm 🤔 afang findi recht starch mit thank you for sending me an angel laht aber nachher bis noch. Ich glaub generell het mers album biz schlechter gfalle wie s letschte, blöd hani eifach die paar letschte albe besser bewertet vergliche mit frühner. Hm wieder es 3.9/5 demfall
danke für engal song. ich lib wenn rock chords. typisch talking heads, es goht afoch immer im gliche vibe wiiter wos agfange het. ich mag de byrne er singt cool. with our love cooli gitarre und so. i like. das gute ding. sehr happy melodie und so. uuuh de prechorus isch seeehr geil. oder ischs de chorus? jep ischs. gfallt mer anyway. uuuh bridge mit klatsche yess finds recht geeeeil. warning sign. nimmt mi weniger mit, aber s isch immerno pleasant und tönt schön crunchy und energetisch aber locker glichzitig. the girl wants to be.. es isch alles so aggressiv Dur-Akkörd i dem album? s macht defür au easy hell und jumpy. de song findi etz chli weniger nice, obwohl de chorus seehr cool isch. Found a Job isch so halbe funky? finds uf jede fall zimli geil. de instrumental bridge teil isch suuper nice mitem dumpfe piano. oke s isch meh es outro, aber geil. artists only isch funny, bitzli horrofilm musig type-tubular bells dings? I'm not in love. mega energetische stuuuff. findi sehr geil d drums hitted. stay hungry churz und bündig und funky gitarre nice. take me to the ricer fangt sehr geil ah. uuuuh shits funkyy. uuuh d gitarre scratches mmmmh geil. de grosse land. bitz köntry ueeh.
sie hend iwie no gern alvumcover mit ihrne weirde gsichter mal luege öbs gueti abwäschmusig isch? stand nach 2 lieder: finds glaub besser als s letschte album idk iwie gfallt mier ganz offesichtlich talking heads eifach nöd eso wobi jz gfalktsmer recht, es isch halt chli goofy musig aber s macht spass oke jz nachem album mussi sege, dassi mega positiv überrascht bin, s macht huere spass und iwie weissi jz nöd öbi fürs andere album z schkechti stimmig gha han?
Some good songs but not my cup of tea
A fantastic album. Such a unique blend of music and vocal Melodie’s. I really love how much space each instrument is given in the different sections of the song, though cohesive at all times even when intended to be jarring. It’s joyous, ominous and wide open at any given moment.
Another absolutely fantastic album. Saved multiple songs on this one
Ha! Great cover. I like Fear of Music better, but this is very good. Take Me to the River is the peak.
Very accessible Talking Heads. Still the Talking Heads. Delightful, weird, fun, poppy...checks all the boxes
Just a great album, and gets better and better the more times you listen.
David Byrne has a very unique way of looking at the world and it's great that he puts it into his music.
Rating: 8.5/10 It's the Talking Heads, of course this is a great album. The first half is very good to great, has some nice rhythms and grooves but nothing too special for their standards. The second half is amazing, so many great songs, riffs, melodies, and choruses. So smooth and funky. Not one of their best albums overall, but still great. Favorite songs: The Good Thing, The Girls Wants to Be with the Girls, Found a Job, Artists Only, I'm Not in Love, Stay Hungry, Take Me to the River, The Big Country. Worst song: Warning Sign.
Instrumentaal zou het 5 sterren waard zijn. Ik vind de stem van de zanger helaas net te irritant, maar verder lekker album.
My crew and I are in a late 80's movie, this is our soundtrack, and we're on a mission. Don't know what the mission is, but we're not to be diverted, except by the frequent hijinks that occur... and then bam, we're back on the trail with focus and purpose.
Come for David Byrne, stay for Brian Eno and the grooves.
Nais! Pappa er veldig fan av talking heads så har hørt litt på det i oppveksten. Take me to the river er en stor banger. Ble veldig gira og lå den til i jogge-spillelista mi. alt i alt nais! Hvis dere andre likte dette albumet og talking heads er favorittalbumet mitt remain in light. Ga dette 4/5 fordi remain in light er 5/5.
Quite liked it. Kinda punk/funk rock influences.
High end of 3 stars, rounding up 😊
Love the Talking Heads, not my favorite. A sign of things to come. Some fantastic stuff on here.
Good album, funky and unique. 4/5
Really nice and chill to listen to :)
Fun album. It took me about half of the album to get into the right mindset.
Una mejora significativa de la propuesta del primer disco, sobre todo con la entrada del legendario productor Brian Eno. Es un disco sólido y bastante disfrutable que volvería a escuchar, sin embargo, no le entrego la calificación máxima porque considero que la trilogía de Eno solo asciende en calidad hasta llegar al Remain in Light.
Didn't know I'd enjoy talking heads this much!
Excellent, quirky, but also good to have in the background - forgot about this one
good
Listening to this one in the airport heading to SLC. I’ve been absolutely ruined by the stop making sense live album - I love so many of these songs already but the live versions > album version just bc of familiarity right now. Overall, loved it, will listen again once my obsession with stop making sense subsides.
Pretty good but not a huge fan.
I enjoyed listening to the Talking Heads album. It has me interested in hearing more from the Talking Heads.
Un disco bastante friki, como era de esperar de los Talking Heads. Como no tiene canciones conocidas, habrá que darle algunas escuchas para sacarle el jugo. Lo añado en cualquier caso a mi lista.
The album that has Take me to the River is getting 5 stars automatically
Solid. Really enjoyed putting this on and letting it ride. Heard of but never really sat down and listened to a Talking Heads album.
Classic Heads
I’m familiar with the Talking Heads but hadn’t heard this one before. It’s full of fun grooves, inventive riffs and provocative lyrics. Trails off a bit in the middle but picks up steam again towards the end. Will definitely come back to this one.
I generally like Talking Heads so I generally liked this. I didn't find much that stood out and made me sit up and go "this!" but on the other hand I enjoyed the entire album. This is a 3.5 rounded up to a 4.
Honestly surprised I hadn't heard their version of Take Me to the River before.
I think I really like the Talking Heads. I don’t have many specific thoughts other than that I just really enjoyed this album, and I was sad that it ended.
Why do I get the feeling that this album is complained about by die hard Talking Heads fans for being too approachable to the common pleb (like me)? 3.5 rounded up
Objectively all the songs are good and well crafted, but it is hard for me to get into it. Maybe there is just a little too much going on--or I just find Byrne's voice grating. Highlights: Girl, Found a Job, Artists Only, Take Me to the River,
The Talking heads are one of my favorite bands. This isn’t my favorite album from them, but still has some great tracks.
Funky, fresh sound that I never would have otherwise checked out. Kept my head hopping and my toes movin.
Superb, a very fun (and clearly a timeless) album. Didn't feel the urge to skip a single song on this album, first time listening to it, well worth it.
No this is the best so far. Will definitely be listening again.
Super enjoyable. Gave it a second listen. Did blend into one at some points but I didn't mind as it was what I was looking for regardless.
Not my favorite Talking Heads, but still the MFing Talking Heads!
Not as good as fear or remain but still great Low 4
080626 15:43 4
I can hear the sparks of the sound they will come up with in later records here. Their ideas need more time develop. Not a a really stand out track on the album but not a bad album.
The first Eno album. Awesome sound.
Oye, no había escuchado este disco antes y me gustó mucho.
sound from talking heads i haven't known before - top
I’ll talk more about Talking Heads later, I can’t be bothered right now
Seems to me to be a transitional album between the early output to their later style, rather reflective in the album with the latter songs more funky and earlier more quirky. Overall 4 * I rather like Talking Heads
Great album. So many great songs, and it really bridges the gap from '77 to the more afrobeat influenced albums to follow. "Found a Job" is a personal favorite. 4.5/5 Will definitely listen again
Wonderful album with many songs for which I want familiar. I still enjoyed it. Turns out I'm a bigger fan of the band than I originally thought.
Talking Heads puts me in such a good mood everytime. Such fun and quirky instrumentals, so easy to have a goofy dance to. Fav track: Stay Hungry Light 4.5
very stellar album from Talking Heads. glad to see this thing give actual classics. 8.3/10
Talking heads are one of the big discoveries from this list for me, listen to Remain in Light a lot. This album has the start of them developing that off kilter dancey sound but it's a bit more straightforward and it didn't grab me as strongly. Still a lot better than most mind, think it needs another listen.
A step up from “77” and a step in the right direction for this Post-Punk Quartet
Energetic groove. Listened to a lot of Talking Heads for a period, and they set the tone for that place; which was laid back, fun and a little silly.
fine
This was a great listen. I knew that I really like Talking Heads and David Byrne, but I hadn't explored deep into their catalog. I enjoyed every single song on this record. Found a Job is a banger.
Great band but some of their slower songs don't work quite as well. Take Me to the River is a beautiful cover though.
Took me a bit to get into it but then I was into it
When it first came out I thought it was a little silly. I take it a little more serious now.
A great album by a great band.
I liked it. Makes for good background noise too
Brilliantly interesting and entertaining.
I have always liked a few songs by the Talking Heads, but there were also silly things about them that made it so I couldn't get into them. However, I've always wanted to go through their discography, and listening to this album finally has convinced me to do so. I really like this album. The songs are playful, but they are definitely artistic and full of purpose. I still imagine that once I get more into their 80's output, I will lose some of my appreciation, but I definitely will revisit this album.
A very solid sophomore offering from the Talking Heads here, which is often tough to pull off. You can't hear a Talking Heads song without knowing immediately it's them. The sound is unique and ahead of its time. It's hard to find fault here but overall not my favorite of from their catalogue, especially with Remain in Light being a perfect album. Standout tracks: Thank You for Sending Me an Angel, The Good Thing, Take me to the River
talking heads is weird. i find any talking heads album to be a hard listen. although i know theyre great and always grow up on me after a couple listens its hard. maybe because im not in a late 70s club or maybe because im not a psycopath. anyway, as i said they always manage to grow up on me and surprise me even. also this one is not as hard as the other ones ive listened to so far.
Remain in Light is one of the best albums ever made so this record must be slightly worse. In the end it's still a solid dose of music.
Really cool shit, and interesting mixing makes it always fun to analyze
Why is there not a single song on this album about buildings or food? I can't believe I was lied to. All jokes aside, this album's pretty alright. I really like the instrumentals for this one. The whole album is very funky and I like that. The lyrics, while some songs had me a bit stumped as to what they were about, were well written and some of the meaning behind some of the songs were quite good. The pacing of this album is pretty alright as well. Now, let's talk a bit about what is, if I had to guess, the most divisive aspect of this album and band; the singing. I feel like David Byrne's singing is very love-it-or-hate-it. I myself think it's really goofy most of the time, but sometimes the singing is pretty good. I don't hate listening to the singing, but it's not the ideal experience for me. Overall, this album is definitely influential and I understand why people really like it. light 4/5.
Not always my thing, but still damn brilliant.
Weird and wonderful as usual for the Talking Heads
I liked this album for the most part. Got to explore a good bit of the Talking Heads discography I didn't know anything about. I will always enjoy the Talking Heads and their weirdness.
The drums being the same on every track is so funny. like even when you thinks its gonna change, it doesn't. David Byrne is the king of catchy hooks. The good thing and stay hungry are some highlights for me.
Add a star to the rhythm
Unique, pretty cool, groovy, nice bass
Lavly stuff
4.5 stars. This is really good, David Byrne is so talented. From the leadoff "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel", the tone is set for an upbeat, positive sound with catchy riffs and solid basslines. Enough time has passed from when those obnoxious fish mount decorations were popular that "Take Me to the River" stands alone as a great track. "The Girl Wants to Be with the Girls" is great as well.
I wanted to love it but ended up just liking it. It won’t smack you over the head with hooks or Melodie’s but the production is really interesting and the vocals are the classic quirky Talking Heads. 7/10
8/10
Yeah yeah gimme some talking heads! Liked it a lot!
Solid 8. Consistently impressed with Talking Heads' discography no lulls. Highlights: Thank You For Sending Me an Angel; Take Me to the River
Really different. I like it
First time listen to this mostly high energy Talking Heads record with a driving beat could be the best thing I've ever heard from them. Sure I'm still not a fan of David Byrne's nasally voice and it does grate by the end, but that aside, this was a bit of a revelation for me. Standout track : I'm Not In Love
Talking Heads' second album builds upon there first. Great vocals from David, instrumentation is solid. Not really anything super significant in their discography. Still a great record, good sequencing, goes down easy.
No doubt this is in the top of all time. A band that borrowed the Blues, for sure, but made it great in this set of songs. The new wave that came out of New York at that time produced some stunning music and laid the ground for many other changes in pop. This is beautifully quirky, sparse before they really hit their groove and the songs became top tier but still a great album.
Sprøde, sjove guitarfigurer der minder om The Strokes (det er nok den anden vej rundt).
Talking heads, what more to say?
It's something
Any talking heads will get 4/5. Although this is far from their best - it’s still brilliant
Above medicore album by a great band.
They are a little out there ut always a good listen
Fun stuff, very bouncy and quirky
80/100
New one to me. There are better TH’s albums but it is great.
So people really like this? Like unironlcally? I don’t get why anyone in 2023 would want to listen to this.
A pretty great album but quite handily the weakest of Talking Heads’ impeccable first-five-records run
Released in 1978, "More Songs About Buildings And Food" marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Talking Heads, the pioneering American rock band led by the enigmatic David Byrne. Following their acclaimed debut album "Talking Heads: 77," this sophomore effort not only solidified the band's unique sound but also showcased their ability to experiment and innovate within the rock genre. The album's title itself is a clever nod to the mundanity of modern life, and it sets the tone for the lyrical content throughout. From its inception, Talking Heads was known for their intellectual and often abstract lyricism, and "More Songs About Buildings And Food" is no exception. The album explores themes of alienation, urban living, and the monotony of everyday life, all set against a backdrop of post-punk and new wave musical sensibilities. One of the standout tracks on the album is "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel," which opens with a burst of energy and introduces us to Byrne's distinctive vocal style. His frenetic, almost neurotic delivery adds depth to the lyrics, making them feel simultaneously absurd and profound. The song's catchy hooks and quirky percussion elements make it an instant earworm. Another highlight is the band's cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River." Talking Heads manage to infuse their own distinctive style into this soulful classic, giving it a fresh and playful twist. The track demonstrates the band's willingness to embrace diverse musical influences and incorporate them into their sound. The album's production, helmed by Brian Eno, is a testament to the band's willingness to experiment. Eno's influence is particularly evident on tracks like "The Good Thing" and "Found a Job," where the use of layered synths and electronic textures adds a sense of modernity to the band's sound. Eno's presence contributes to the album's overall sense of innovation, pushing Talking Heads beyond their comfort zone. "More Songs About Buildings And Food" is a cohesive body of work that flows seamlessly from one track to another. The album's pacing is expertly managed, with frenetic tracks like "Warning Sign" balanced by introspective moments like "The Big Country." This balance keeps the listener engaged and showcases the band's musical dexterity. While "More Songs About Buildings And Food" may not have enjoyed the same commercial success as some of Talking Heads' later albums, it is a pivotal release that captures the band at a crucial moment in their creative journey. It is an album that dares to explore the mundane and the absurd, marrying thought-provoking lyrics with innovative musical arrangements. In conclusion, "More Songs About Buildings And Food" is an essential addition to any Talking Heads fan's collection and a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of post-punk and new wave music. It's a testament to the band's artistic vision and their ability to push boundaries, both lyrically and musically. Decades after its release, this album continues to resonate and inspire, reminding us that there are always "more songs" to be sung about the world around us.
Some albums have riffs that just speak to me. The Big Country is one of those songs, and the Talking Heads seem to have quite a few of them.
Took me several cycles through it to appreciate the energy and vibe. It is a bit challenging as it is certainly not standard pop melodies, but with David Byrne's staccato singing style on top of quirky driving beats and some eccentric flourishes. The more i listen to it, the more i appreciated it.
Talking Heads are so influential, even when this is not their best album. So tight too.
liked it! Opening song and the back half of the album was great. A couple of songs were a bit "weird" and not melodic enough for my taste, but that's par for the course with my experience with Talking Heads. Overall a fun listen
The album that showed the world that Talking Heads weren’t a one hit wonder and were in fact a very special band. Tracks like “I’m not in Love” were so original bringing the funk to punk. The twin guitars backed up my the tightest backbeat. Not even their best, but you could include any of the bands albums and I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Oh I really like this one
I really like Talking Heads but am not familiar with this album at all! Take Me to the River holds a special place in my heart, and is really well produced! The Good Thing and Warning Sign are both great songs. I like Found a Job as well! Overall, really liking it! I think probably a 4/5 for me.
I like this a lot, it’s nice and pop-dance-y but with enough unique 80’s synth rock riffs to keep from being boring. Having only ever heard Psycho Killer (and not liking it much) I didn’t expect that from the Talking Heads but was pleasantly surprised. Their cover of “Take Me to the River” was also very good.
I've got a soft spot for Talking Heads. This wasn't my favorite album by the band, but I still enjoyed their irreverent sound.
I feel like if David Byrne sang for any other band, it would sound awful. But, the talking heads somehow make it work. Solid.
I should really know it better
not my favorite Talking Heads Album but still good
Lil weird but honestly time flew
HEY I LOVE DAVID BYRNE BUT I AGREE W U GUYS THE SONGS DO GET MUSHED INTO EACH OTHER LIKE MUSH. HOWEVER HIS LYRICISM. MAKES ME FORGIVE THAT A LITTLE BIT. THIS ALBUM IS NOT AS GOOD AS THE OTHER TALKING HEADS ONES THO. THANKS
Quite liked this one. Not amazing, bit pretty damn great.
nice
Talking heads are my kind of weird rock.
For some reason I’ve never heard of this album, lots of good stuff on here
I enjoyed this a lot! The instrumentals were amazing.
Very good
I had lots of fun with this. Great drums, bass and crazy David Byrne vocals. I must be in a good mood this week because I'm giving another 4.
Pretty nice album
Tasty
I am a fan of this band but I don't think I had listened very much to this particular album, so it was great to hear it all the way through, probably a first for me. Such an innovative and interesting group, and at least to my ear, they always manage to draw me in, engage my listening brain, and keep it going. Their sense and use of rhythm are particularly intriguing to me. Very skilled on their instruments, too, and they also weave in some great harmonies and melodies. David Byrne's signature vocal delivery rings clear on this album, too. Overall, a truly enjoyable listen. Thanks for reminding me how much I like the Talking Heads, dear ol' 1001 Albums project! Related note: I recently read David Byrne's 2012 book, "How Music Works", and it's excellent. I highly recommend it.
This is a good album. I like but have never loved Talking Heads. There are songs of theirs that I really love but I'd say the rest I could take or leave. I know David Byrne is a great songwriter and they're very influential but I have a hard time giving this one full stars because personally it's not all for me. If there were half stars I'd go with 3.5 but am rounding up because there are some really great tracks on here. Standout Tracks: Thank You for Sending Me an Angel, I'm Not in Love, Take Me to the River, The Big Country
Fun little album. Very, very funky. Not bad for day 1!
Great album, no sophomore slump here.
3.7/5
BL: I love talking heads, they’ve been with me my entire life due to my parents putting me onto Once in a Lifetime at the age of maybe 7 or so in the car. Remain in Light is one of my favourite albums of all time - but I’ve never listened to this one, so let’s see. AL: I liked it a lot. Doesn’t hold a candle to remain in light but still a very fun listen, Byrne is quirky and clever as ever. FT: “Artists Only”, “take me to the river” “The Big Country” 4/5
They’ve always had a consistent sound.
Really good album. It blows me away this is from the 70’s. They were so unique.
I haven’t listened much Talking Heads earlier, but this is definitely a great album based one listen
Just my kind of band
Fun & weird
listened
Maturing towards fear of music
Definitively music from a brain far from ours
As a little kid I didn't know that "Take me to the River" was actually an Al Green song. I thought David Byrne wrote it. I love his cover so much. I don't know that the rest of the album is as solid as most other Talking Heads albums but I appreciate that they're never content to rest on their laurels and always pushing to connect with the audience in new ways and remain relevant. Would go 3.5 if I could.
This album doesn't have any of the group's best songs but the build at the end of "Found a Job" and inventive cover of "Take Me to the River" shows that the Talking Heads are serious musicians, and not just "quirky" art students. The influence of disco on rock and roll can be heard in a lot of the guitar playing here. David Byrne's singing is not always my favorite, but it is certainly distinct. The back half of this album is stronger than the front half in my opinion.
I really liked the bass lines and percussion on this album - a lot of interesting stuff happening. The vocal delivery here is just so odd, yet it doesn’t feel too out of place with the music, which is a feat of its own. I ended up being quite fascinated with how it all works together. Standouts: I’m Not In Love; Take Me To The River.
it’s a talking heads album of course it’s gonna be good
Talking Heads songs almost all sound the same to me, which is fortunately a groovy and fun vibe that I can get down with
This is a solid selection of songs. Brian Eno produces, and i can definitely hear it. Tight, fun songs, and still ahead of its time for a 70s album. Not bad.
ja leuk. kan nog op me groeien denk ik
Everytime I've heard the talking heads I've liked them. Kind of band that I think I'd have loved at the time if I was around. Slightly dated now but still good stuff. 3.5*
Very cool record, with grooves for days. Lot a lot of obvious singles, but a great album nonetheless. 8 out of 10
Enjoyed this a damn sight more than the debut. Mood and the fact that today I played this from decent speakers would've played a part, but the songs are better, there's a flow to the record, and it's a lot less stiff. David Byrne sounds more interesting, and the band's killing it. Am surprised, as the debut near-convinced me they weren't for me.
Pretty good.I enjoyed all the songs but none of them really stood out to me.I enjoy the talking heads .
‘More Songs About Buildings And Food’ rattles along over its two sides. It’s slightly more punk than funk, but it’s still groovy, as the Heads signpost the direction they would head towards on subsequent albums. There’s lots of highlights here, a few being ‘The Good Thing’, ‘Found A Job’, and ‘I’m Not In Love’, as well as their superb cover of ‘Take Me To The River’. A really enjoyable forty minutes.
4/5. I want to give this a 5 just cause of the uniqueness but some are definitely skippable, especially the last song. It still bops though and is a fantastic record nonetheless. I never realized how integral the instrumentation was to Byrne’s voice, they work so well together.
4/5
Wonderful stuff. The highest 4 I’ve ever given
1978 "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel" (track 1) is a keeper Has "Take Me to the River" which is a classic "The Big Country" is a great change of pace and is makes me think of Neutral Milk Hotel (was probably an inspiration)
Talking Heads; nothing and noone sound quite like them. This is sometimes a very good thing, but also sometimes not. This album does have some great music on it - but are Talking Heads overrepresented on this list? Yes, probably.
A fun new wave, dance-rock album with a ton of driving rhythms and arrangements. Tina Weymouth’s bass lines sounds are killer! The whole album sounds tight. Standouts: Thank You for Sending Me an Angel, The Good Thing, Warning Sign, The Girls Want to Be with the Girls, Found a Job, Take Me to the River, and The Big Country.
Goed album, prima luisterbaar, origineel bovendien. Maar niet je van het.
4.25
David Byrne can take me to the river any time he wants.
I don’t recognise any song titles on this album, but when I’ve looked into Talking Heads I realised there are a fair few songs that I do actually know. They seem to be one of those bands where everybody knows a bunch of songs, but you might not necessarily know that you know them. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Take Me To The River, The Good Thing This was a fun album to listen to. The sound is fairly consistent from song to song while still being different enough to sound interesting. Take Me To The River was really enjoyable - I’m 99% certain I’ve never heard that song before, and yet there was still a twinge of familiarity that I can’t quite place. Perhaps it sounds like something else, or perhaps it is just a very catchy song that it feels like I knew all along. Despite all of the above, I’m not sure that there was anything here that makes me want to listen again. It’s a little like those films where you’re glad you watched it, but you’re glad you rented it rather than bought it.
It's the third or fourth best Talking Heads album, but it's still great. It has at least four classics on it. That's not bad for a low ranking one.
I really really liked this one, to me it’s as good as remain in light as it’s much more consistently solid than that album but there’s not the same highs as well 4/5.
Very cool new wave. Funky, great lyrics and vocals. I like this a lot!
This was the beginning of the Eno era. I see this album as hitting at batting practice and Fear of Music was hitting the home run.
Me gustó, pero no tanto como me gustaría. No se si es porque la melodía simplemente no busca ser más o si no es tan bueno como creo que es. Ya lo escuché varias veces y, aunque sí que me gustó, no me parece la gran cosa. En general, creo que es bueno, aunque es algo repetitivo, la mayoría de veces, no es tedioso o molesto. Lo disfrute un poco más las últimas veces, por lo que espero que le gane más afecto con el tiempo. Por último, pienso que el álbum es bueno y estoy algo confiado con que me gustará más mientras más veces lo escuche, por lo que, aunque ahora mismo no estoy seguro de si darle 3 o 4, lo más probable es que en un futuro me arrepienta si le dejo las 3.
Legendary album. Not something I’d listen to a lot, but I could jam “I’m Not in Love” all day.
good album very classic talking heads vibes and of course take me to the river is one of their all time bangers
I like the talking heads. The only thing that turns me off about "Take Me to the River" is that it was so overplayed on the classic rock stations of my youth.
Ich mochte es aber es war nicht atemberaubend. 3,6/5
Bei weitem nicht das beste Talking heads album aber trotzdem sehr solide. Strong 7/10
todos los discos de talking heads son god
no es mi favorito solo porque son todos buenisimos
The Talking Heads make great music. You can hear what made them great: Existenzial lyricism combined with paranoia and absurdism too - without forgetting about the humor. Musically the later albums are more interesting.
Love the percussiveness of the vocals with the bass. I slept on Talking Heads for too long.
A beautifully put together collection of songs. This just got better and better as the album went on. I have been a fan of their other stuff that I’ve heard. Such a unique style.
1nd best talking heads album
⭐ Thank You for Sending Me an Angel
Talking heads but funky 4.3/5
Everywhere I look, I see Brian Eno helping to produce incredible albums. It's neat to find out that he had a big influence on the sound of the Talking Heads and their use of polyrhythms. This isn't my favorite Talking Heads album, but it's definitely great 4/5
It was good, I could never get into the talking heads sound tho
There are a lot of sleeper songs on here, such as "Artists Only", "I'm Not in Love", and "Found a Job". You can hear the Eno in this album, and it's very good because of it. A gripping mix of punk, new wave, and art rock this album belongs in the collection of any music fan. A great album, but not the best Talking Heads album out there.
Good album, with a varied sound Saved tracks: The Good Thing, The Girl Wants To Be With The Girls, The Big Country, Stay Hungry
achievement from this list - I am into the Talking Heads now
Lovely stuff 4/5
Hadn’t heard this album before but really enjoyed listening to it, made my afternoon at work more enjoyable
Never heard any of these songs before, but enjoyed this listen. Of the 3 Talking Heads albums we've now heard, I would say More Songs About Buildings And Food and Fear Of Music are both better than Remain In Light (although from looking at the global ratings, that's somewhat controversial)
Talking Heads is a band that changed everything for me after hearing Remain in Light. This is the beginning of their amazing four album run with Brian Eno, although the thing that really elevates this from their first album is the way that Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz embrace dance music, moving the whole sound to a funkier place. This is not my favourite Talking Heads album. It might not even scrape into my top five (depending on whether you count bootlegs or not). But a bloody great record it is, and it is great to hear a band with a really fresh outlook finding its feet, and looking out to the future. And you can dance to it!
I only really know Take Me To The River off this album and right there that's a track that gets me to 2-3 stars...and overall this is a good listen...so going 3.5 stars, but it looks like 4.
A very good album, it's not like my style, but i like it 7/10
They haven't fully developped into the totally alien new wave entity that they would become, but they're getting there. But the songs are strong and Eno's presence already indicated that they would become something really special.
Pretty cool, but have you heard of their other albums?
Love this band, not their best at all tho
The recipe for the songs that make up this album: -Find an annoying guitar licks and strum it to death -Complement this with some goofy or weird sounding synthesizer accents. -Sing the lyrics with an ironic, crazy and edgy voice tone. Well, that's a nice recipe.
Their style is so unique, you can't confuse them with anyone else. I like how some of the songs blend into the next. Overall very good. I can just imagine Byrne's dance moves. Fave track(s): With Our Love, Warning Sign, Artists Only
Already listened
Robotic, alien funk. I think it'd be kind of hard for someone to be introduced to this as their first Talking Heads record, but as someone who's already very familiar, I love it. A few songs sound a little bit the same until it hits the fantastic "Take Me To The River" cover. Favorite tracks: "Take Me To The River", "Found A Job", "The Big Country"
Great vocals with very high re listen value lyrics. The rhythms are excellent as well.
Mieux que le premier, plus maitrisé au niveau du chant, ça part moins dans tous les sens. Quelques titres accrocheurs (genre The Big Country)
20 years ago, when I started my grown up job, got my first paycheck and thought I was rich, I promptly purchased half of the Talkking Heads discography. I thought they were a band I would certainly get into and just maybe, they might become my favorite band of all time. But, I found their best known singles weren't very representative of their overall sound. I wasn't ready for the full diversity of their quirkiness. They were too spastic for me and have mostly sat on the shelf along with too many others I thought I would get into. This was not among the albums I purchased back then, but I can confidently say I would not have gotten into it. Thankfully, things, people and tastes change and this is fantastic to me now. I wish I could point to the artist(s) that pushed the envelope for me and brought the Talking Heads inside the fence. Maybe it's the way music has evolved and I'm yearning for a new "new wave". These guys were innovative in a way that was new, weird and still sounded good amidst the unfamiliarity. This album is short of a 5 for me as it's short of nearly all the tracks being standouts. Still a great album and I'm glad it's here. 1 = bad 2 = average 3 = good 4 = great 5 = outstanding
Developing that syncopated beat.
It's four stars and a really good four stars.
Third and final Talking Heads album on the list - not even 200 albums in! I do find this selection a bit odd and would have chosen both Fear of Music and Speaking In Tongues over this one. Or maybe just include all of them, I wouldn't mind. On More Songs About Buildings And Food, Talking Heads are as tight as ever. Listening to 'I'm Not in Love' you get the feeling that the band is one large organism with each limb working in perfect unison. But there are individuals. The pulsating 'With Our Love' is peak Byrne with a crisp guitar sound and classic Byrne vocals with lots of phrasings. Weymouths bass is incredible on the whole thing, but especially shines on 'Warning Sign'. I think what is missing for me on this album is enough time and space for the songs to develop. We see a bit of this on 'Found a Job', where the track is given the time needed to evolve and create some of the grooves that would fill up the next two records.
Not the album I would’ve picked for the last of the three Talking Heads albums on this list - but that doesn’t make it any less great. Byrne is on fire throughout the entirety of More Songs About Buildings And Food (A+ title by the way) and Frantz and Weymouth are equally amazing! There’s not a bad song on this; but there’s a couple I would have loved for them to dive deeper into. The length is almost perfect - but for once I wouldn’t have minded this being a bit longer!
I liked it more than I thought I would. Fun album.
This is my kind of weird. At first, I was going to comment about how familiarity with the material alters these reviews as I wasn't sure how I'd react to this album if this were my first time listening. But then, I remembered that I was all-in on this record from the first time I heard it, back when I was 12. I had seen Talking Heads play "Take Me To The River" on SNL in 1979 and this was among the first LPs I ever owned. So, I guess I just like this music. Still, couldn't quite get to a 5-star. Why? Not sure. I think it's almost baked into the music, the artistic, consciously demented delivery makes this a bit too experimental, which means not every song lands — or maybe not every part of every tune does. But there's a vision here, quirky and off-kilter as it is, and this band is solid and the material is great. David Byrne gets most of the attention, but Tina Weymouth is a badass, and Chris Frantz and Jerry Harrison contribute mightily — this is a band and album that succeeded because of its individual parts aligning. Love it. Was happy to see this come up in our feed.
In an era where every punk or new wave band tried to create an identity with spiked haircuts, wearing leather, chains, and combat boots, the Talking Heads look normal if not nerdy. But they stood out musically. Scale: 5 - My absolute favorites. 4 - Albums I like. 3 - It was ok to listen to it but wouldn't seek it out. 2 - Didn't like. 1 - Absolute shit.
Great collection of tunes. The Talking Heads always sound like themselves, which is sometimes an advantage and sometimes monotonous. I liked this groove enough to get over it the whole time.
I need to listen to this album more than I do, I also seem to gravitate to Speak in Tongues and Remain in the Light. Great album!
Such a great record that continues to showcase the lyrics, vocals, guitar, and keyboard of a truly unique and ground breaking band.
The Talking Heads are great. This is a great album.
I really like listening to the Talking Heads. This album is one I need to listen to more. The Take Me to the River cover is great.
Cool
I have enjoyed listening to more than just the singles.
Always loved Talking Heads. And this album displays their punk origins.
Such a great album by one of the top 10 bands of the 20th century. 4/5
None of the songs I know them for, but I really liked it overall.
This great, not the talking heads best album but still i very much enjoy this album
Omg cabezas que hablan
Ett steg upp från 77
The awkward raw nervousness of their debut is traded for a more polished stilted nervousness. The quality music remains intact.
Pretty good!
Innovators
4.75 What a wonderful album. Sonically pleasing, the instrumentation is varied and unexpected. Standout track: Take Me To the River is an obvious choice but Thank You For Sending Me An Angel is one of the best album openers of all time
Really leaning into this staccato delivery. Artists Only grabbed me. This album is a great Talking Heads album, so I would revisit it. But a very reasonable person could just as easily pass on this. A fun listen, but not one to sell you on the Talking Heads imho.
Più interessante di quello che mi aspettassi.
Talking Heads is truly a genre. Any song of theirs, whenever it comes on, is immediately identifiable as them, even if you’ve never heard it before- and if it ends up being someone else, you can always say, “wow, they sound exactly like Talking Heads” and everyone will nod in agreement. Which is a polite way of saying all their songs sound the same. That lets-call-it-consistency is on full display on this CD. Until the last track it basically sounds like one long song. Typically I find that kind of dull and I did not consider myself much of a Talking Heads fan. But this CD is just so infectiously fun that I can’t help really enjoying it. Their singer is not very good, but their drummer really is, and this CD is very tight rhythmically and much more rhythm- vs melody-driven. That’s not my style but they absolutely make it work. And the big thing is just that this is so fun and joyous.
Definitely a talking heads album. Great vibes. Still weird. Fun vocals and good spirits
Pretty Good
Two solid songs, rest is general decent background to listen to. Take me to the river & big country.
just a solid talking heads album. they rarely miss.
I’m a big fan from just about all the way back, and especially of the earlier catalog through Speaking in Tongues. This album kicks off so hard that I feel like it can’t quite carry that energy through the whole thing, but it’s all good songs and absolutely sticks the landing.
Fun talking heads album, not as good as their best work ,but fun nonetheless
W talking heads
Definitely some good songs, and I think I could give 5 stars to a different talking heads album. Just something about this falls a little flatter than I might like
Starts off like normal rock, but as the album progresses the song become hectic. The vocals start making no sense and the instrumentals get louder in a way. I like the main sound of the album and I like the transitioning from basic rock, to unhinged, then back to a sad song.
Enjoyed the opener a lot, lots of future influence within the Talking Heads and this album is not an exception. The vocal inflections of the lead singer remind me a lot of Keith Strickland from the B-52s, the iconic exaggerated inflections really give the Talking Heads a unique sound. Overall, I enjoyed this record quite a bit, but it isn't the greatest thing I've ever heard. Not bad at all for the first record on the docket, I'd give it a solid 7/10
Fun and funky songs for the mildly alienated. Disco for art students, but way better than that description sounds.
Great album
Good album. Maintains the talking heads feel with varied sounds.
The songs that I will listen to a lot are "With Our Love", "Warning Sign", "Found a Job". I really like the Talking Heads: always have, always will. And this was a good album. However, their repeated song structure wears a little thin when you are listening to them an entire album at a time.
Great. Does not reach the heights of Remain in Light but is a necessary step that is unique and interesting in its own right. No hits as such though there are certain riffs that provide hooks. Favourite track so far is Warning Sign.
Really enjoyed this,
Early new wave.
This is such a funky and fun Talking Heads album. Classic Byrne bouncing around, seemingly having fun, but technically sound!
Catchy, boppy, fun to listen to. The production is top notch, so many interesting details.
19th August 2022 Listened during the day on Friday. Getting things together for Meg and Em’s wedding in London over the weekend. I love Talking Heads, this process has really hit them home for me. This is perhaps their most “accessible” album? Rockier and less experimental than others but no less for it.
TALKING HEADS ARE LEGIT. Such a cool band that I never really listened to.
I found this to be a lot of fun! Atop a bedrock of itchy, manic anti-funk we have a load of ideas and textures that all come together nicely. 'Found A Job' is a delight. This album also happens to contain one of my favourite ever covers - I don't think there's a better version of 'Take Me to the River' out there.