Reviews (page 11 of 15)
I've have grown to love this band exponentially over the years. A former coworker recommend Stop Making Sense about 20 years ago, and I've been intrigued ever since. I saw Stop Making Sense on the big screen last year & it made me weep. This band is multi-talented, funky, and weird - pretty spot on for a group that formed in art school. Crosseyed and Painless is my favorite on this album & Tina Weymouth is a phenomenal bass player. Girlfriend is a bad ass. Let's not forget all that percussion & David Byrne's oddball vocal stylings. 4.5 stars.
Fine classic rock album. Once in a Lifetime but not much else that I loved.
This is definitely my favorite Talking Heads album. The production is stellar (no surprise), and it’s just pretentious enough to make me happy without overdoing it.
From the description I had high hopes. Definitely unique and funky, but even after listening to it on background for the whole afternoon I couldn't make it stick!
In truth, I would give this like, a 9.3/10, because I think Seen and Not Seen is a little weak in comparison to everything before and after it, but in the absence of that level of granularity, what am I gonna do, not give it 5 stars? Yeah right.
8 distillations of a band firing on all creative cylinders that result in some of the most freaked-out, funky nonsense you've ever heard. And yet, it's perfect.
how were they so good?
yum
Once in a Lifetime +++ The Overload ++ Original malgré le peu de variation dans certains morceaux. Les interventions guitare de Belew sont un vrai plus. 3.5/5
New wave, post-punk. There's a lot that can be said about this album. And I don't have the energy to say it, and I certainly don't have the vocabulary. I love this album, that's what I know. It's weird, it's funny, it kind of makes me anxious. It's over before you know it, I really value albums that can pull you in that well. I have not listened to this album enough but the few times that I have always leave a lasting impression on me. And my god is Once in a Lifetime catchy. Will revisit, no doubt. 5/5
Great, classic album
Last time we had Talking Heads I said this: "Talking Heads 77 is too new wave for me. Some of the music hits a nice groove, there are decent elements of funk in there, but the vocals aren't my thing, never have been across the genre, and bring it down wholly. Just a style that's somewhere between nonchalant and whimsically ironic, no thanks." Remain In Light is the same, I don't need to say any more. Still a 2, still not something I want to listen to.
I find myself thinking that Talking Heads somehow manage to sound like a parody of themselves. Once in a Lifetime kinda works, but I struggle with the rest of it. Like you guys have said, it's just too on the nose new wave for me to be able to take it seriously. I think it scrapes a 3.
Really liked this. Love the distinctive vocals. Good band.
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album. Of their 3 albums I've heard on this list so far, this is the best.
African polyrhythms, rambling vocals and Haitian voudou - nice
I love TH but this one never clicked with me. Some of the songs are cool but they’re drawn out and don’t seem to go anywhere.
Even though I’ve never really been won over by Talking Heads, I truly tried to give this a sincere listen and walked in with an open mind. But this album? Not for me at all. Even with the saving grace of “Once in a Lifetime,” one good pop song can’t save the rest of the album from being a rambling, muddy, pseudo-intellectual recontextualization of ~world~ rhythms that aren’t even enjoyable grooves to listen to. Truly a painful listen for me throughout, and I was trying my best not to skip it completely. While I see the vision, I find the execution downright exhausting and incompressible, which is how I imagine I’d feel if I had to hold a conversation with David Byrne. And that’s me being kind.
Superexperimental. Una variedad de sonidos increible que encajan a la perfección. Quizás no sean las melodías más llamativas ni complejas que haya escuchado, pero explora mucho y el resultado es muy chulo. Suena muy diferente gracias a toda esta diversidad, sin embargo por lo general suena un tanto repetitivo en ocasiones el disco al completo
didn’t listen the whole thing, but sounded goodd
This album was interesting. It contains really interesting elements, though generally not being my cup of tea.
A good album I liked The Great Curve the best.
Idk why but I found myself physically incapable of finishing this album, nothing bad though
Yeah kinda liked it, sometimes a little repetitive but not in an annoying way. 3/5
First existential crisis on the list. Four or five? The back half does kinda fade out, but the songs on the first half are something else. Amazing that they managed to blueprint this with big Fela Kuti, and come up with this, which really only gives away the african influence to my ears on the great curve. Great call and response. There might actually be real polyrhythms on this (usually just music journalist's take on more than one percussionist), though I don't have enough of an ear to tell. Belew solos! Not my beautiful wife! The world moves on a womans hips/The world moves and it swivels and bops!
Forgettable
Interesting album with cool experimental sounds incorporating nature and African beats. Glad I listened to it but wouldn't listen again.
ive been rating some things too high recently, like fours where there should have maybe been threes, but this actually deserves a four
I mean it’s incredible. It merges a kind of African sound with the new wave of the early 80s and with eno’s electronic sound and it comes together so well and sounds so fucking cool. Houses in motion, once in a lifetime, listening wind and born under punches are all highlights for me
These heads sure can talk I really love this album, the talking heads were one of the first bands I properly listened to and this album is great although I slightly prefer speaking In toungues
i honestly wish i liked it more than i do. it's such a cool album but idk it's not clicking!!
Such a strange, interesting album. I never knew what the next track was going to bring. Great lyricism, creepy and funky tones. There's really not much like it.
Álbum creativo muy piola. Es como un electro raro, muy experimental y cautivante
Second consecutive day of Talking Heads. Still not a fan. Didn't finish listening. Yes, this album has 'Once in a Lifetime' which I know (but is not a favourite) but the rest was just... No. Not my thing.
My ears were tired after the third song. I desperately needed relief, so I went and scratched my nails on a chalkboard. Problem solved.
Iconic and revolutionary. There's no one like David Byrne.
Solid but not memorable 5/10
Utterly brilliant. I first heard this properly in about 1990, and I've never got tired of it. As others have said, the sense of drive is incredible. So many interesting cross-rhythms and melodies in the instruments and vocals. It shouldn't be possible to create fascinating songs around a single chord, but TH manage the brilliance of Crosseyed and Painless, then immediately eclipse themselves with The Great Curve: just two of the "one chord" songs on the album. I didn't know until today that Brian Eno was involved, oops, but the production is certainly masterful. I agree with David Byrne, who apparently said it was "joyous and ecstatic and yet it's serious." It's genre-less, fabulous and even better, makes me want to dance, at least until the (still wonderful) darkness of the final track. 11 out of 10.
Loved it. Nothing can beat Fear Of Music, for me, but it’s still a definite 5 stars. Genius.
Love this album. Don’t know it very well but looking forward to getting to know it better
A lot of my 4 star albums are ones that I really like but they aren’t inventive/influential enough to be true 5 star albums (this is it by the strokes for example). This album is kind of the opposite. I think I like the idea of the Talking Heads more than I actually like the music. I can see why this would be someone’s favourite album but even though I like it, I’m not sure how many times I’d actually put this on to listen to. Highs are still really high though, I’m gonna go 3.6 and round up.
3.4 Probably needs more than 1 listen, lots going on in the production.
5/16/2024
Weird rock.
Quite samey - not for me.
This album reminds me of a night out with my friend. Pretty sure she has ADHD. The night of drinking starts out okay, but all sorts of stories and not everything makes sense. Then a few hours into it it all makes sense (Once in a lifetime) and towards the end you are just feel exhausted listening to her stories, and just keeping up with her. Its not bad but i wouldn't go out with her every weekend. Thats how i feel about this album too
Zo funky, lekker weird, bijna geen matige nummers. Gewoon echt lekker!
7/10
Yeah, some jams are good, but the rest was pretty Eno-riffic. When the bonus outtakes started I turned it off. That shit got annoying.
Maybe the coolest band.
10/10. 100%. One of, if not the best album of all time. Talking Heads created something so timeless that it will be adored for decades to come. Even decades later this album still sounds fresh and new. The lyrical genius at play here, leaves room for discussion in terms of meaning of the songs, such as on "Seen And Not Seen". And "Once in a Lifetime" is definitely one of my all time favourite songs.
Creative genius. 6/5
I like talking heads
Love the talking heads
- funky sounds the Talking Heads are iconic - good vibes, this is one I'll definitely have to go back to - The Great Curve was super fun - 3.5
- these guys aren’t it for me - almost funky but not
not really my cup of tea :/
Trash Too much keyboard
This album is proof that different doesn’t always mean good. The looping thing got old to me halfway through the first song, it’s one of the things what drives me nuts about modern music. I’m sure it was a big deal at the time and had all these cool innovations, but it just didn’t do it for me. The one thing that was cool is hearing a song that weird al parodied (once in a lifetime). It’s 2 stars because it did have some cool parts. I liked the second half better there were some more interesting sections and more variety in each loop. I can see the Fela kuti influence, except his music had good instrumental soloists. This just has incoherent ramblings. Like fela kuli and Pink Floyd combined. I can see how people would like it, but not me.
Party on the A-side, brooding on B, every single song brings it
A truly gem
This one hasn’t been far from the turntable since the day it was released. Never tired of it.
Kept me awake while driving late at night so that’s pretty good.
Struggled to get through this one.
Gamechanger - a couple of good songs, but then crazy experimental
Feels like I'm listening to the same song for the entire album. It's not a bad song, but not super compelling either.
This is a pretty cool record. Love the abundant use of slap bass. Some of it might require repeated listens to fully appreciate. Favourite tracks: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), Crosseyed and Painless, One in a Lifetime.
Can I just get speaking in tongues already? Like this album is funky, fun, endlessly creative, and great in its own right but hearing this just makes me want to listen to naive melody again. Yes the back half of this album starting with once in a lifetime is excellent and I really loved houses in motion but it doesn’t have naive melody and I’m starting to worry that that album won’t show up on here. I’d also take the stop making sense soundtrack but I doubt that’s on this list.
Intermission music. I'd expect something like this to play in the background for people to talk over before an event started
Sad funky futuristic retro beats. Class.
I mean, how can this be anything but a 5? I love everything about this album.
Other than the two singles (Once in a Lifetime and Crosseyed and Painless) there are only so many one-chord songs that I can handle.
Great riffs and sound
Worth it alone for ‘Once In A Lifetime’, one of the greatest songs ever written, full of layers and subtext, and the soundtrack to my midlife crisis. Elsewhere, ‘Born Under Punches’ is a nervous, edgy, anxious opener, ‘Cross Eyed And Painless’ is full of paranoia and doubt, ‘Listening Wind’ is the story of a foreign terrorist who carries out a bombing of American colonialists, ‘Seen And Not Seen’ is about insecurity and identity, ‘Houses In Motion’ is about capitalism and corruption, and ‘The Great Curve’…well I’m not quite sure what that one is about. Regardless, ‘Remain In Light’ is a beautiful, complex record that manages to fuse art rock, post-punk, New Wave and Afrobeat dance rhythms into something thought provoking, otherworldly and wonderfully transcendent. Talking Heads made a lot of good albums, but this one was their best.
Love the Talking Heads. Love David Byrne. No notes.
Good in places. Faded a bit as it went on.
I feel like it started strong and faded a little, but it's probably one i'll come back to
Heard this a while ago and didn't think much of it. Sounds better with age.
Hearing this album makes me feel like I'm constantly in a high speed chase. A little too melancholy in some spots for me but overall very fun Once in a Lifetime is probably the standout for me.
Some great songs on here. Houses in Motion is terrific but Listening Wind really stood out this time. We are so lucky to have Talking Heads
I keep trying to get into talking heads but I just can’t, there’s too much going on
I mean it's a classic what more can I say
As expected, an anchoring album of the 80s
Well that was as ‘Talking Heads’ as an album could be.
I only ever had a greatest hits for the Talking Heads, so I don't know what a full album experience will be like. Honestly I was intimated and wasn't sure when and where to start. But very excited for this. This rules, plain and simple.
New Wave und experimentell. Nun ja.
I didn't really like the first song too much (repetitive), but loved the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th songs. I can see how they were a vibe in the 80s - eclectic and also accessible. Both/and.
Top so far
Awesome sound
I started really enjoying this around minute 40.
Ohhhh yes please, gimme more! I love Talking Heads, I don’t necessarily know why as it’s not massively aligned with the rest of my music, but I just do! Just makes me feel happy to imagine David Byrne doing his funny little dances. Simpsons: Byrne has guest starred and him and the band mentioned quite a few times!
First listened to this whilst on a very windy hike. It didn't fit the vibe, but thought I heard bits I'd quite like. Decided to give it another listen at home, in case it deserved a 4. As each song passed on the second listen, it got worse and worse, until it couldn't get any worse.
Not a fan. The only song that I will listen to again is once in a lifetime
Talking heads are a band that I feel I should really like but they just don’t click for me for some reason
I loved this shit. Such cool African influences — shoutout Fela Kuti… also some Caribbean/ Soca influences? Yessir
Once in a lifetime is a classic epic song, but the rest of the album doesn't hold up. Frenzied, jarring and very memorable.
We enjoyed this album, listened to on the train back home. That one popular song was still good (we don't remember the name). Other than that, no standout tracks but all around pretty good.
A fresh blend of funk, new wave, and early hip hop that makes liberal use of loop tracks. Sounds very much that a prelude to Eno’s later instrumental forays, though the Talking Heads deliver lots of character through vocals, guitar, and especially bass to keep songs interesting. Very cool exploratory album that still sounds exciting today. Stand out tracks include “Born Under Punches”, “Houses in Motion”, and “Seen and Not Seen”.
Fast beats, funky sounds, interesting voices and rythms. Some songs like listening wind are more hippie feeling, and the last part of the album is slower. So far 4 stars
David Byrne's style is so eclectic that the music he and the Talking Heads create is the very definition of an acquired taste. Their style is so weird and peculiar, but not necessarily difficult to listen to. This album wasn't bad but it didn't seem to exceed past a rating of 3.
Good album with inventive rhythms. I always seem to enjoy Talking Heads.
I've always thought this was overhyped. I prefer earlier Talking Heads
Not bad, I felt like a lot of the songs were really lengthy and were just going on and on for no particular reason - like, I get it. The quirky new wave sound is neat though Favorite song: Once in a Lifetime Least favorite song: Listening Wind
This doesn’t feel like their best album. The majority of the tracks were kitschy performance tracks. Which, to be fair, is what Talking Heads do.
Never liked the Talking Heads and this didn’t change that
Once in a Lifetime is a five star song. But in the while this us not a five star album. Too much talking vs singing, percussion vs melody. I know they have an album I enjoy more, hopefully it will show up on the list.
Epic, influenced so many bands.
Was really liking it, didn’t realize the album ended, a Flaming Lips song auto-played after and I was like “damn I really, REALLY like this” (just really liked it)
The definition of “scaring the hoes” music
Not rlly my vibe
More like talking dead
-gibt bessere Alben der Band (Talking heads '77). -Liebliongssongsong "Once in a lifetime" -1001 >> https://open.spotify.com/episode/54W220HlWXWf02kozb8ZG2?si=525a7a1e3fc14cb5 -Jetzt im Kino Stop Making sense (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rjMwSTeVeo) -cooler Tänzer (https://www.instagram.com/dailydavidbyrnedances/?hl=de)
I just had "Talking Heads 77" 3 days ago, and wasn't impressed at all. In the 3 years between "77" and "Remain in light" Talkingheads have somehow moved from something that I didn't enjoy at all, to something I absolutely love, and that will enter my normal music rotation. It's faster and more upbeat, and just all around more stuff going on. Absolutely brilliant.
Still an extremely listenable album, rhythmically and the distinctive vocals of David Byrne are simply a novelty. .. all I want is to breath.
Amazing album
Such a creative album. If Stop Making Sense is the best concert film I’ve ever seen this album contributes a lot to that. 4.5/5
This wasn't a bad album. Nothing grabbed me emotionally so it was just alright.
an incredible album. Really nothing else needs said. A never skip
I try every time but I do not like the Talking Heads.
I really enjoy the Talking Heads. Sometimes they can be a little much for me, but overall I really enjoy their music, and this album is no exception. "Born Under Punches," "Crosseyed and Painless," and "Once in a Lifetime" are the best songs on here, but they're all pretty good. This is between a 4 and 5 for me, but I've been listening to "Born Under Punches" on repeat all day, so it's getting a 5.
It never struck me before how much funk is in the compositions. It is odd music with austere vocals at times. Once in a Lifetime feels innovative while the theme is reflective of the human condition, easy to see how it was the breakout hit of the album in the US, at least.
Didn't really care for it.
Classic album. A few of the biggest TH tunes ever. Crossed & Painless is an all time great, and Once in a Lifetime may be their best song ever. 4.5
Love this album so much. Really intricate, but poppy new wave.
Sounds ok Some really weird songs. Song plays in spotify go in descending order of plays. I guess a lot of people try this album and can't make it through. Once in a Lifetime is a good song Album doesn't seem to really flow. a few songs are good, but I probably wouldn't listen to it start to finish.
Once in a Lifetime and a bunch of other BS
Decent album
Pretty awesome
The second Talking Heads album I've ever listened to and I like it much, much better.
An ok one
Love, love, love this band so much. Such a unique sound that blends so many different genres into a beautiful, interesting whole. That's basically the recipe for my perfect album. Favorite track: Once in a Lifetime
Didn’t realise Once In A Lifetime was a Talking Heads song. Rest was OK too.
I enjoyed this much more than Fear of Music, though the songs are a bit overly long. Once in a Lifetime is an obvious classic, but then I think this is a little more contemporary. It's still avant garde and embracing the Talking Heads sound, but it also is far more approachable.
typischer bass, schlagzeug, bongos - talking heads! mir haben es vor allem auch die „unfinished outtake“ am ende der remastered-version angetan.
Dieses Album gefällt mir besser als das Debütalbum. Schneller, rhythmischer.
I was surprised that I liked this to be honest. I'm not typically a fan of the talking heads, it's all a little too 80s on the nose for me but this - with its global influences - was an enjoyable listen
I'm glad that I listened to both of the Talking Heads albums on the same day. Earlier, I listened to Talking Heads: 77, and one of my main critiques was that the vocals just needed to be tightened up. They listened, obviously, and three years later they came out with this. The vocals are tighter, and they even harmonized and added some background vocals. Everything I said about the other one still applies here. Great album. Great band. Same as it ever was.
Not gonna lie, thought I was in for a stinker upon listening to the first song, but the songs got better. This is one of those albums where I thought the songs were generally fine, but would I go out of my way to listen to them? No. I recognized Once in a Lifetime and I do like that song, but if it already wasn't exposed to me through pop culture/radio, would it stick out? I'm not sure it would. All around average.
Very funky stuff. Loved the intricate percussion. Also interesting guitar riffs thoughout. Once in a Lifetime is a jam. A lot of the other tracks felt like filler though. Artsy weird stuff that I did not vibe with. As a whole it was meh.
Nothing to say that hasn’t been said 100x before. I don’t like to give 5 stars unless an album is literally perfect. That’s the case here
One of their best albums. their work with Eno is a shining start
Only recognized one song. The rest was really great.
Liked the first half better than the second. Big fan of the groovy instrumentals. 3.5
6/5 from Ant Hayden
Way ahead of it's time, David Byrne and Brian Eno are simply exceptional Favourite track is overload, it has that dark and hypnotic Ian Curtis feel with it, almost impossible to believe they recorded this without listening to JD before I feel I could be doing an ELO - Out of the Blue all over again and I may regret not going full marks 4.5 / 5
Probably the best album on this list so far. One of the most influential bands ever and this is their crowning piece. Simply majestic. 5/5
4.5 AND YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF, REVIEWING A TALKING HEADS ALBUM ON A RANDOMLY GENERATED WEBSITE. AND YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF GIVING THAT AKBUM A 4.5. AND YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF, HOW DID I GET HERE?! I love albums that sound completely out of time from when they were released and this is one of them. 1980? these crafty bastards. I found it a lot more groovy than first anticipated and of course ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is a big banger - even if I do prefer the Kermit the Frog version. It’s a classic. Enough talking and give me head!
I've always respected the Talking Heads. Interesting, unique, creative, thoughtful. I've just never been able to get into the music. I find it unmoving and tedious.
A rare repeat artist. Only had a few of those so far (Metallica, A Tribe Called Quest). This is my favorite Talking Heads studio album. Has been for a while now. The use of syncopation, the influence of African rhythms and styles, the at times enigmatic, at times incredibly insightful lyrics, and the intangible mood and attitude of this album just grab me in a way no other Talking Heads album has. I’m a little biased, I think. “Speaking in Tongues” has what I consider inferior versions of songs that were in “Stop Making Sense,” so I just find it hard to listen to. “Fear of Music” (the first album I reviewed in this project), falls flat for me for most of the album and comes off as overly pretentious (not that “Remain in Light” isn’t, at times, pretentious). “Talking Heads 77” is my second favorite but it just comes with so much naivety and has a very specific sound of a band early in its lifespan that it can’t be my favorite. Anything after “Little Creatures” is just a band in decline. No, this is the best one if you ask me. This was a thrill to listen to again with a purpose. I was reminded of why I loved songs like “Born Under Punches,” “Houses in Motion,” and “The Great Curve.” Deeper cuts like “Listening Wind” earned a little more favor this time around. Overall I love this album and it’s almost cheating to hand it to me because it was an automatic five stars before I even started the first track. My one complaint about my listening experience is that the Dolby Atmos mix on Apple Music was…bad. Certain elements I felt were key to certain songs we mixed far too low and some songs almost sounded new, and not in a good way. But that’s not the album’s fault. Five stars. Standout tracks: Born Under Punches, The Great Curve, Once in a Lifetime, Houses in Motion
I think the production for this album is really wicked and really unique for its time period. However, I often dislike a lot of albums in which the lyrics are super philosophical and deep and I need to dive through genius lyrics to understand what the fuck they are talking about.
Talking heads are great & this album just reinforces it. Combining sounds from a wide array of genres to make their own unique sound.
no soy muy de grunge-punk y no conocía ni el álbum ni la banda anteriormente. sin embargo, me ha gustado mucho! gracias joan por haberme animado a finalmente empezar con esto
One classic song and not much else
It's okay, but not great in my eyes
Loooooooved it
25% biiseistä menee jatkoon ja loput vähän tökki, joten negatiivisen puolelle painuu tämä levy.
Ei ollu erikoinen
This was fun! A romp through the unique sound of Talking Heads. A bit experimental so there are some misses, but most of the songs are cool and weird.
I wonder if they would have been as popular as they were without the music videos...like the groove, don't like the voice. And, I wish he was a Union man.
Listen to this!!
I like it. Perhaps one day I’ll love it. 4/5
Their sound was interesting but the album just didnt quite hit for me
Not my favourite Talking Heads album, that's Stop Making Sense, but still really solid
My opinion did change a bit since I first listened. It's a cool album. Crosseyed and Painless is my favorite from it
Amazing album. Pushed the boundaries of music in directions that defied typical labels. I immediately went back and listened to the entire album again.
Not for me
One reason i had never listened to talking heads before was i had no idea where to start but this album was great. No skips
Silly
A good album but not my favorite. I prefer Naked and the work David Byrne has done solo. Remain In Light and the other Talking Heads Albums needed to happen to produce what was done later though. There is no bad Talking Heads album.
- I see why people like this and I especially see how it was somewhat groundbreaking in the 80s. This album is eclectic and oftentimes bizarre. - Unfortunately, it just does not do much for me. I do like "Once in a Lifetime" and see why this particular song pops up often.
This is a high 4 for me that gets pushed into the 5 territory on the virtue of its lyrics. The continued feeling of paranoia and frenzy and undeserved self-confidence and cyclicality and !!! It's all very good. We love you Talking Heads.
Absolute classic, one of the true must-hear of this collection. Everybody knows the track watching the days go by, yet it is all of the other tracks, like Crosseyed and Painless, Born Under Punches, and Houses in Motion for which is album really stand out. The Overload is the one track that doesn’t fit, and I don’t even begrudge that - just puts a backdrop for the funky light of the rest of the tracks.
"Born Under Punches!" Jesus christ... that might be one of the most memorable opening tracks of all time. I fucking love that song. "Once in a Lifetime" is one of the best songs ever made. I'd need to listen to the album in full a few more times for the rest to really grow on me.
Mid. But that song just gives it a boost
once in a lifetime!
Like this a lot more the more I heard it not my favorite album from them also not a huge talking heads guy this is still great tho mid-high 7
This album was a vibe!! It was very unique and groovy and I would definitely listen to it again :-)
I enjoyed this one thoroughly. I only knew Once In A Lifetime coming in but it’s full of great songs
At times weird but a great listen
I have mixed feelings about this album. I like some Talking Heads music, but some of their more artsy stuff can be an acquired taste. I appreciate the technological accomplishments of this album—it's essentially the first album to significantly incorporate loops, even though computer tech at the time couldn't actually handle creating them, so they had to learn to play the loops themselves. That's wild. There are some really fun grooves throughout this album. It's difficult not to bop to it. The songs with sung vocals are generally catchy too. "Once in a Lifetime" is obviously a classic. "The Great Curve" is maybe my favorite track on the album. On the other hand, the back half of the album starts to drag. The lyrics are mostly abstract nonsense (though they sometimes stumble on some cool ideas mostly by accident). The songs that are almost completely spoken word ("Houses in Motion" and "Seen and Not Seen") get a little annoying after a while. I know sing talking is what David Byrne is famous for, but this goes beyond that, and I felt like I was at some weird gallery show. Also the distorted trumpet solo in "Houses in Motion" sounds like a shofar haha. And that's my biggest complaint with this album. It feels like an art project made by white students about the things they learned in school about African music—because that's basically what it is. They listened to Fela Kuti and read some academic articles about the cultural importance and function of music in African cultures and decided they wanted to make an Afrobeat record (with some dancehall and funk thrown in). There's just something derivative and a little appropriative about it that doesn't ruin the album, but rubs some of the shine off. On that note, Jaqueline Kidjo (a singer from Benin) made a full cover album of "Remain in Light" in 2018 and it's incredible. It actually has the heart and vitality that Talking Heads attempted to imitate. Highly recommend everyone take a listen to it. I'd give it a 3.5 if I could, but am rounding down to a 3. I appreciate the technological innovation and importance of this album, and I don't dislike it, but I also don't love it.
And you might ask yourself, Why am I here? And you might ask yourself, Why am I listening to so many albums? And you might find yourself Listening to this 1980 classic And you might tell yourself, Maybe this site isn't so bad after all
I feel like I have to be in a specific mood to listen to the first 3/4th of the album. The bass tone and the rhythm is really grooving. The last two songs were transcendently dreamy, however. A great fever dream feeling
Really well done but not my type of music
Unfortunately, this album is as good as the nerds at /mu/ say it is.
I really like this album and already own it. I have heard it many times and I'm sure I will hear it many more.
Pure kinetic perfection that appropriates all the most exciting energies of its era to create something unheard and strangely alien. Relentless grooves, complex poly-rhythms, hyperactive guitars that are at once post-punk and disco, new-wave sythns, funk bass, Krautrock trance, lush gospel harmonies, intriguing imagistic lyrics and off the wall charismatic vocal delivery. Nervous, ferenetic and anxious and yet totally self-assured in vision and delivery. I've listened to this thousands of times and hope to listen thousands more, one of the best albums ever recorded.
10/10, one of the all-time favourites
I always want to love Talking Heads and am always disappointed. So sloppy and messy. Not much on here apart from Once in a Lifetime.
Another classic.
Spectacular album. Docked one star for being a little too chilly in spots.
One of my favorites from one of my favorites. I have not gotten tired of it.
I was boring in parts, but i like the sound in some songs, like "Crosseyed and Painless" and "The Great Curve".
Amazing
Good news from TVLKINGHEVDS Had not heard this one in its entirety before, the album is weird good. Liked all songs except Overload. Can’t beat Once in a Lifetime. You may (often) ask yourself; how did I get here? The cover art always seemed to me to be a nod the cover of Let It Be. Team rating (2.8*s)
Their best album. Funky songs like Born Under Punches (Take a look at these hands!), of course Once In a Lifetime, and as the last song the frightening the Overload. David Byrne sings in his best maniac-like way and the African rhythms and production by the genius Brian Eno finished it off. Well deserved that they are again very hip and hot with the re-release of the Stop making Sense concert film. Do hope we also the Speaking in Tongues album in the 1001 list.
I don't even have to turn this album on to know that it gets FIVE STARS from me. One of the most listened to albums in my life. This was part of the beginning of the spiritual awakening that listening to music gave me.
This was a fun album. We get Once in a Lifetime which is a classic. The other songs were all interesting in their own way. They didn't stay with me, but I felt like I was experiencing something while listening. Loved some of the Nigerian influences and sonics.
Whoa, another big one, within a week of Nas' Illmatic. As someone who casually peruses RateYourMusic.com from time to time, both this album and Illmatic are in the top fifteen rated albums of all time - that's part of where I get my "big one" designation. We've had a few Talking Heads albums, and none of them really clicked for me. Weird, fun fact: we've now received each of the first four Talking Heads albums, in chronological order. I made jokes in past reviews about my opinion improving and softening with each new album, and how maybe they could claw their way to a 5 star. This one is the moment of truth. Obviously it's got the big hit "Once in a Lifetime," but just in general, this album is so funky and full of life. The instrumentals are super crisp and detailed, and there's this good balance of variety and cohesion - they were definitely locked in. It's a sort of refined, alternative take on '80s new wave (and it's 1980, so ahead of that curve anyway), and it works really well here. Almost enough to make me want to revisit their other albums we heard, but I do think this is the mountaintop (and that debut really sucked if you ask me). Prior to today, I would definitely have considered this band overrated by music nerds, and I still kinda do, but now I sort of get it. I wouldn't call this a top 20 album of all time or anything, nor is it getting five stars from me today, but it's really, really great. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it and that I wanted to replay tracks almost immediately. With time, I could potentially see it ascending to 10/10 or five star territory for me. Favorite tracks: Once in a Lifetime, Seen and Not Seen, Born Under Punches, The Great Curve, Listening Wind, Houses in Motion. Album art: I'd say this one is iconic, I've seen it plenty of times before. I love the sort of digital artifact covering over each of the faces, it just seems bizarrely modern. The faces are all in a blue filter, the coverings are a bold red. Text is nice, the upside down A's are a nice touch. Cool cover. 4.5/5
Está bien, hubo varias canciones que me gustaron.
36/1001
This album had lots of funk and 70 influence. I enjoyed it a good amount
This was better than I remember it. I do really like '77, but later Heads typically doesn't do it for me.
❤️
Always a 5, every track is perfect. TH was one of the best.
The Fela Kuti influence is clear in this one, but not as good. Overall rough, not much stood out to me. 2*.
People just did fat rails of blow then recorded absolute dog shit back in the 80s, didn't they?
couple of bangers but generally uninteresting
Wow. Excellent album all the way through. I had no idea.
take a look at these hands
Very quirky, typical David Byrne. Some tracks with little vocals, great for background music.
Listening Wind has some crazy instrumentals. Got bored with some songs when they were very repetitive. Liked a few songs and the mixing of genres.
Indisputably my favorite Talking Heads album. Every song is just full of energy and VIBES. You'd be hard pressed to find anything like this before or after their time. It's just so unique and quirky. 20/10. Cannot recommend enough. Standout Tracks: Born Under Punches, Crosseyed and Painless, Once in a Lifetime, LIstening Wind
found myself tapping my foot along to a good number of songs. some were really cool. i liked houses in motion, crosseyed and painless, and born under punches, and once in a lifetime's a classic. others didn’t do much for me though. i’d say it’s between a 3 and a 4, but i’m feeling generous today
Goeie grooves, merk nu wel echt dat ze inspiratie uit highlife halen. Wel meer waard dan een 4
Once in a lifetime and great curve only standouts
Inattendu mais vraiment bon
Weird and fun!
Typical Talking Heads album, some songs really like and others just seem rather quirky. I have always liked the band overall and Byrne singing.
I thought it was solid and contrasted each song well
It was interesting. Liked the sound of it but it was also just really weird. It wasn't necessarily a bad weird (like Public Image Ltd. or Sonic Youth) more just the album lacked consistency and even in some of the songs themselves there wasn't much unity. Not really my style but still sounded nice.
I enjoy the random, eclectic mix of sounds, instruments. great album to listen to while you're doing other stuff-up tempo & keeps you moving
Hyvää groovia ja rytmiä!
"Listening Wind"
Not really my vibe... Too much talking?
Great opening 5 tracks, how many albums can repeat that!
I love hearing the influences from this album on other albums!
I only discovered that I love Talking Heads in the last couple of years. This is a very good album. Listening this time proved that the first half is killer. And the second half is just good. Therefore it just misses the perfect rating. 4.5/5
Interessantes New Wave Album mit afrikanischen Einflüsse. Sehr abwechslungsreich aber auch sehr anstrengend arrangierte Stücke. „Once in a lifetime“ ist die Erkennungsmarke des Albums - jedoch nicht alles. Sehr spannend zu erhören ist „House in Motion“. Wiederholung möglich!
À couple of flat songs
Bit chaotic, bit weird, bit fun, bit confused. 63/100
Love any album that feels like it defines the sound of a band. This album just feels like the most Talking Heads album ever.
It was boring
It was good! The music really brings you into the song.
Interesting, unique music. Cool and funky. But not really my style - especially the vocals.
Occasionally weird, occasionally brilliant
Ey once in a lifetime what a banger :D Es isch cool aber d Lieder fühled sich schnell sehr repetitiv Ah (aso in sich selber) Idk ob das Sinn macht aber ich ha s gfühl d Lieder sind sehr lang zoge. Ich check au max nid was unfinished outtakes sind (nei ich has Wikipedia nid glese) 3.9/5
Boah ich weiss ned öbi hütt eif negativ und schlecht druf bi oder öb die albe wük all so whack sinf iwie aber s hittet eifach gar ned
Beep boop
birn under punches isch frenetisch und funny. ich mag de david byrne wo mit mir redt. finds chli lang fast 6 minute crosseyed and painless foht guet ah ich mag d perkussion. s blibt afoch ufem gliche immer? wikipedia seit afrobeat iflüss und jo gsehni scho. the great curve isch seehr viel perkussion und au easy nervös. bitzli funky? once in a lifetime kenni halt. aber riese banger. text hammer. bassline. you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. refrain iconic. ich denk so oft a "same as it ever was". flanger gitarre (orgle?) part isch huere geil. houses in motion. mega ente grüsch time. seen and not seen findi chli es nüt? listening wind. meh. the overload. langsaam moody.
goofy ass musig bass sehr slappy beepbeepbeep es isch sunntig morge, ich han kei bock uf das aso once in a lifetime hani jz no cool gfunde aber ja bin nanig wiit und es fühlt sich ah wie wenn ich sit 45 min am da hcoke bin ja jz redt er eifach lislig chli über en funny aber au ahstrengede beat vlt findis eifach zu 💫quirky💫 oder bin z wenig quirky 😦 omg nei fela's riff gahtmer ab sekunde 1 ungkaublich uf de sack glaub allgemein findi sochli die atmosphärische lieder voll okee, d zdbaudzqushgsjq-lieder findi echt nervig
My all-time favorite. Seriously, play this at my funeral. 5 stars. No skips.
David Byrne makes giant strides in giving musicians the artistic freedom to be weird as fuck, and I love him for it. Once in a Lifetime is perfect and kind of carries the rest of the album.
Not my cup of tea
Indispensable.
Particularly enjoyed listening wind. Enjoyed this start to finish.
RAHHHH I LOVE THE TALKING HEADS WHAT THE FUCK IS A SMALL SUIT JACKET🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
It was pretty avante garde, and the only song I still actually liked was Once in a Lifetime. There was a track at the end called "Right Start" I think which was a partially instrumental piece from Once in a Lifetime, as if you stripped vocals and some instruments off it.
Like many Talking Heads albums, the first listen feels a bit cold, a bit impersonal, but it’s on the subsequent listens the music reveals its raw, beautiful humanity. Once in a Lifetime is one of the great songs of my life. I transcended when I got to see Byrne himself perform it on a Broadway stage, I’ll never forget it.
Chaotic but interesting.
Classic
1. born under punchez - 0 2. crozzeyed - 0 3. the great curve - 0 4. once in a lifetime - 1 5. houzez in motion - 0 6. zeen and not zeen - 0 7. liztening uuind - 1.5 8. the overload - 1 9. felaz riff - 0 10. unizon - 0 11. double groove - 0 12. right ztart - 0
Ok I like where this list is going. I have heard this album plenty of times before. Highlights: energy of first three tracks... When Born Under Punches turns into The Heat Goes on and every repeat of the lyrics David Byrne is in the background coming up with unique nonverbal ways to enhance the track... "She is moving by remote control"... "Facts just twist the truth around"... "Same as it ever was"... Side 2 never really did it for me.
Mehrstimmig, klingt immer irgendwie richtig voll.
This is what happens when a bunch of RISD art students are shown rock ‘n roll and African polyrhythms. Walks a very fine line between accessible and interesting. The layering is incredibly complex but meshes so well together. “Once In A Lifetime” is the obvious single but “The Great Curve” is a beast of a jam, and “Houses in Motion” has such a slippery guitar part. Incredibly impressive.
5 stars because “once in a lifetime” is on here and that song bangs. david bryne is an icon
This album rules. The songs are busy, chaotic, repetitive, and driving. Houses in motion is a groove. Definitely feel like this album pushed the envelope and paved the way for a lot of post punk artists out there. Anyway, I’m just here so I wont get fined
Great album. Timeless hits, a unique sound and lots of weird going on. David Byrne is a genius 8.5/10
Good upbeat album and I was kinda fucking w/ it. The Great Curve and Once in a lifetime, great songs. The rest of it felt like a fever dream.
I definitely like More Songs about Buildings and Food more than this one, but it’s still a good album. They just have such a unique style to them that no one else can replicate.
I loved this, super chaotic and fun. Added most of the songs to my library.
I’ve never listened to a talking heads album fully before, very pleasantly surprised
3rd talking heads album on this list so far. This list has made me really appreciate their music and how much of a powerhouse they are as a group. Another very good album here. Flows nicely and has alot of memorable songs
Just okay, i think Byrne is dope af but this album is pretty carried by once in a lifetime imo.
Once in a lifetime is the single taken from this album.
Pretty cool but no songs I’d add to a playlist
I'm too lazy to listen to Talking Heads...they are so 80s that it tired me somehow. However, this specific album was a happy surprise. I don't know if the pressure on the 80s radio made their singles sound so different from the entire album, but the songs I found inside "Remain In Light" do not sound like what I expected from Talking Heads. They are much more powerful and less generic synth-pop. It's still 80s songs, but at least it's much more enjoyable.
Pretty good toons. Funky ass songs that feel like a fever dream. Once in a lifetime is a highlight but the ending is a bit disappointing. 4 stars.
A masterpiece.
Way better than Fear of Music! Funky, catchy, weird: great!
hatte ich ganz vergessen, das bessere bei beiden grossartigen th alben
Watched a movie by Nicholas cage the same day that referenced this band!!
Wanted to like this more than I did. I've tried several times to really like them but I think I'm the end I really only like the hits. The other music is just too quirky for me. That being said, it's at least listenable.
own
So Good 👍 years ahead
Classic Talking Heads, great album!
Good album. Didn't know much about the band before listening to the album. Tina Weymouth lays the groove.
Talking Head's 1980 Brian Eno-produced record stands as one of the funkiest displays of post-punk attitudes and ethos. Digitally spliced with tight licks of guitar, bass, and horn enterlaced through each track, this album remains one of the most mind-bending listens of the 80s. The unrelenting punch of the polyrhythmic, afro-inspired percussion and the slap bass hits are woven throughout the first track as Byrne rambles about his mortality under a controlling government. "Fire cannot hurt a man". I love the group vocals that close this track off, alongside the cacophonous nature of its guitar solo. There's a moment in the song "The Great Curve" right after the strung-out and noisy guitar solo where the drums, bass, and horns form an insatiable groove that I consider to be one of those "How does music get this good" moments. "Once in a Lifetime" has Byrne's best ramblings. It feels like a burst of panic runs through him as he comes to terms with all his regrets, as well as with what's to come. A great psychedelic synth loop arpeggiates throughout this track with one of the catchiest choruses in their entire catalog. I love the downward and dark spiral this album takes, both sonically and thematically. "Seen and Not Seen" is subtle instrumentally and Byrne talks about his desire to morph his face into an ideally attractive magazine-ready image. "Listening Wind" leans towards the New Wave sounds of this album; dark and gothic laced with lyrics about a rebel's journey for liberation. "The Overload" is the darkest and most ambient track, allegedly based on a Joy Division sound. All the tracks on this record are so distinct and enjoyable. The album starts fast, punchy, and visceral and slowly spirals down into something gloomy, gothic, and dark, all the while remaining one of the cleanest and futuristic-sounding albums of all time. 10/10
It's pretty impressive that an album this experimental gained the popularity that it did. I enjoyed most of the songs: the bass was funky, I liked the repetitious elements, the droning sections, and the vocals. Though I found the album to not have much of an identity or personality. It felt like the songs were just clumped together with a few singles mixed in. Both the opener and closer were weak. 3/5
5.5/10
Not as strong as I expected. A few standouts.
Good, but it ain't no speaking in tongues
Brian Eno Produced? Fela Kuti inspired? David Byrne at the helm? Yeah I’m thinking that this slaps.
Great album!
Loved this, so much to hear especially the percussion and beats. Once in a lifetime is the only immediate banger but the other songs really grew on me with time.
6/10
Solid album and definitely one I will come back to. Once in a Lifetime is a certified slapper and one of the best songs from the Era of this style. Really enjoyed the varying use of styles and instruments. Some of the songs weren't as good as others but the album as a whole is really good.
Awesome album. Love pretty much everything about it. Combines so many aspects of rock and metal into a perfect blend. I liked the change of pace into changes and leguna even though it can seem to come out of left field. It was the brief respite before continuing on. I'll definitely keep this one in rotation. I think it's a 4.75 rounded up to 5
Once in a Lifetime was fine and the rest of it was fairly uninteresting
??? Don’t like this, too much change in music
not my taste
Pretty odd sounding, but also catchy. Love all the instruments and Once In A Lifetime is a classic
i was verrrry excited to see this one today. an absolute classic by one of my favorite bands.
Appreciate this album very much, all the lyrics and tune.
Sehr vom Afrofunk beeinflusstes Album der Formation. Treibend, aber auch monoton. 2,5
Unrelenting energy - expect nothing less
Copy and paste what I said about "Fear of Music". One thing to note is that Once in a Lifetime is prob the best song between the two albums.
Got better on the second listen. Then worse on the third. Once In A Lifetime is a top 50 all time song, but the rest of the album be so different. And sometimes better.
Thoughts before listening: This is a 5-star album, and one of my personal favorites. I was first introduced to this through Phish's cover, but the Talking Heads soon became a band that I loved all on their own. Review: Yeah this is great. Such a unique sound for the Talking Heads at the time, and I have always loved the tempo of this album. Especially with the first 5 songs, they are playing funky, world music inspired songs but at the tempo of the punk scene they came out of. I have always appreciated the Talking Heads' place as a bridge between the late 70s CBGBs punk scene and the more party aspects of 80s new wave. Those first five songs are the star here: "Born Under Punches", "Crosseyed and Painless", "The Great Curve", "Once in a Lifetime", and "Houses in Motion". These are the whole album to me and some of the best songs of their era. I am less of a fan of the final three spacey, moody songs that follow, but the quality of the top of the album still makes this an easy 5-star for me.
I love new wave but I have never been a fan of the Talking Heads. This album didn’t really change that for me, but I gained an appreciation for some of their work I wouldn’t have been exposed to otherwise. The album didn’t have a ton of songs I enjoyed on it, but it was very cohesive.
Solidly enjoyable end to end. Needs listening to again. Once in a Lifetime is the only thing that jumped out on first listen (and I've heard that one before).