Remain In Light

There are too many Talking Heads albums on this list, but Remain in Light deserves its place. Truly the high-water mark for the group and its constituent parts.

(10/10) It's a weird kind of funky but also kind of dark record that starts really energetic and enthusiastic, but devolves into a rather stark and bleak experience that feels like peeling back the layers of society and seeing the true dark within. Groovy!

LETTING THOSE DAYS GO BY

No way is this Talking Heads best album.

Cohesive, some interesting sounds, sometimes wished songs evolved more within each track. Thought it was good but probably won’t go back to listen to it again.

Not my bag. Can appreciate that some people may think it’s amazing though.

Var et fint album, tænker at det er foran sin tid på en måde, men er ikke helt sikker

Same as it ever was... Another album I know but never listened to properly. Wow. The rhythm is mesmerising. David Byrne's vocals work well with it. Brian Eno's hand is strong on the production. The crazy thing is as good as it is, you can't even say it's peak Talking Heads. They keep reinventing themselves in interesting ways. I suppose it could be said this is the last of the first incarnation of the band. Fantastic stuff 5/5.

This is actually a notable album. This album made a difference in music. I enjoyed this one. Need less garbage on this list and more stuff like this.

Me gustó mucho el álbum. No lo había escuchado entero. Conocía Speaking Tongues y me sigue gustando más ese, pero me parece súper interesante y novedoso lo que hacía Talking Heads en su época. Tiene unos sonidos súper juguetones y experimentales. Hay canciones muy alegres, otras más oscuras, que quizá que no disfruto tanto, pero igual aprecio los matices del álbum.

Funky and fun, records like this aren't put out anymore, and for a long time haven't.

If I could put every album on 4 stars and put this one on 5,I'd do it.

I guess I just don’t get the hype. Nothing really mind-blowing honestly.

Bullshit.

Their best album, if you ask me (and anyone else)

Noise, just so much noise on loop. The noise never stops. Eventually you realize that the noise just cannot ever stop. Then blessedly it stops and you are freed from ever having to listen to this album again. 1.5 stars, rounding up because this album has exactly one song that is halfway enjoyable.

Fun! Once in a Lifetime sounds like it was released in 2014, in a good way. Seen and Not Seen is The Gift by The Velvet Underground

Experimental. Thought provoking. Groundbreaking. It's not bad; it's just weird. It feels more like a spoken word album with a vibe of music laid out underneath. The feeling of that repetitive, looping synth style is perhaps captivating, or maybe unnerving. And David Bryne's voice - yeah... As strange as it is, "Once in a Lifetime" is probably the best track on the album.

The last few tracks are a very slight downgrade but man those first 5 tracks are SUBLIME. Big fan of this album.

Great classic album

People who don't like Talking Heads are weird. I don't trust them.

4/5

As ever with Talking Heads, they impress and fascinate me far more than they actually engage me. The playing, especially the bass, is amazing, David Byrne basically defines cool detached quirkiness, and there are even chart hits, and yet I still struggle to really connect with their stuff. This is the one I have got on best with so far though, so I am rounding up from a solid 3.5.

They have 1 sound and don’t do anything else

A certified banger. Not a single bad song on the album. My body is moving on its own.

leuk album

Maybe their best album? Great sounds, great atmospheres, two of their best songs side to side (Once in a Lifetime and Houses in Motion).

talking heads have a few songs i really enjoy but overall i’ve never been hugely into them. this was fine.

I've listened to this 3 times and I really enjoy it but it all kindof rolls into one each time. The rhythms are great and fun, then once in a lifetime comes on, which is unbelievably good, then some more great rhythm, then suddenly I find myself saying, "oh, this sounds a lot like joy division" then it ends. All in all, great album, but maybe not all the bits are individually standout enough for a 5.

Bello ma mi aspettavo meglio

One of the greatest albums ever still, especially enjoyed Side A on listening this time around - 5/5 same as it ever was.

Experimental

letting the days go by

Spiky and very New York. Great production. Thin on good songs.

MAN I was disappointed in this. All of the fun from the first half is completely gone in the second. I was lucky to get their albums in order and this is not how I wanted to end my journey with them. Still good, though.

YAY. Except. HA This album cover turned over saturated poster has become associated with the suicide of Patrick Wilson’s brother on Cape Fear. Woops. Anyway, excited. // Love. I think it would hit better when I’m in a dancey mood rather than driving to the airport, but it’s infectious as always, and features some of my faves

Fantastic. 9/10

okay, so far, this is the best Taking Heads album in my opinion. It does not sound completely terrible. Also, Once in a Lifetime is their hardest banger sorry

Explosive

I just can’t get into a whole album of this band that much.

Excellent record. Once again, a band I have enjoyed exclusively via singles to this point. A really well crafted album and worthy of inclusion me thinks. 4/5.

absolutely love love love this album, probably a top 10 for me. 5/5.

I feel like I've gotten a run of albums by artists who deserve to be on the list (and are) for better albums. This is the Amnesiac of Talking Heads albums

Really like this one. Reminds me of one of my favorite albums, Security. Very listenable, sounds great with headphones. 4.5

Their music is busy for no reason. Just a bunch of shit going on in this whitewashed new agent funk style I don’t really understand. Not bad just not what I would turn to if I was looking for an 80s fix. Highlight: The Great Curve

Once in a Lifetime is an absolute banger. The rest is ok for me. I can see why people love the Talking Heads.

The Talking Heads are pretty much incomparable in my opinion. This album is a little long and perhaps deserves more of an effort from me in properly delving into it. Still very good though

Le voilà enfin sur ma platine, l’album roi, l’indéboulonnable totem, le prétendu chef-d’œuvre absolu de Talking Heads car après m’être farci leur discographie pas à pas, le moment de vérité a sonné. Il est grand temps de vérifier si cette couronne de laurier n’est pas un brin usurpée ou si l’on nage en plein délire d’hagiographes du rock sous perfusion d’amphétamines. Pour rappel, mon parcours ressemble à des montagnes russes drôlement bien foutues, mais pas exemptes de secousses. On avait démarré en fanfare avec un Talking Heads: 77 sec, nerveux, habité par une névrose new-yorkaise jubilatoire qui s’était mangé un très joli 4 sur 5 amplement mérité. Puis était venu le tour de More Songs About Buildings and Food en 1978, et là, pardonnez ma franchise, mais ce fut la douche tiède. Un petit 3 sur 5 un poil décevant, un disque de transition le cul entre deux chaises où le groupe cherchait encore comment dompter les manies de Brian Eno sans y laisser son âme. Heureusement, Fear of Music avait redressé la barre l’année suivante : noir, anxiogène, paranoïaque à souhait, avec les premiers balbutiements polyrythmiques de « I Zimbra », décrochant lui aussi un bon gros 4 sur 5 bien tassé. Restait donc à savoir si Remain in Light allait transformer l’essai ou s’écrouler sous le poids de sa propre prétention intello-arty. Autant crever l’abcès sans tourner autour du pot pendant trois plombes : le verdict est sans appel, le 5 sur 5 s’impose évidemment. Car ce disque ne se contente pas de dominer la discographie, il atomise tout ce qui traînait dans le paysage post-punk de l’époque pour redéfinir intégralement les contours de la musique pop moderne. En 1980, pendant qu’une bonne partie de la scène anglaise s’enfermait dans des caves humides à pleurer sur des rythmiques en plomb et des trench-coats élimés, Talking Heads et Brian Eno ont eu le trait de génie de regarder ailleurs. Ils ont largué les amarres, fui la grisaille new-yorkaise pour atterrir aux Compass Point Studios de Nassau, aux Bahamas, avec une idée fixe gravée au fer rouge : dynamiter le carcan étriqué du format couplet-refrain occidental pour le dissoudre dans un maelström funk hypnotique, irrigué par les sonorités africaines et la transe vaudoue. Ce qui frappe dès la première écoute, c'est l'intelligence diabolique avec laquelle ce disque a été conçu. Au lieu d'arriver en studio avec des compos bien ficelées au millimètre, le quatuor — flanqué d'un Brian Eno qui agitait ses manettes comme un sorcier sous acide — a décidé de tout miser sur l’improvisation collective, le jam brut et l’enregistrement de boucles rythmiques superposées. À une époque où les échantillonneurs modernes n'étaient encore que des fantasmes d'ingénieurs, ils ont fabriqué des boucles à la main, en coupant des bandes magnétiques et en faisant tourner des motifs hypnotiques jusqu'à l'épuisement. Mais la vraie claque, c'est l'assimilation de l'Afrobeat de Fela Kuti. Là où tant de petits Blancs prétentieux se sont vautrés dans le pastiche colonialiste ou l'exotisme de salon pour bobos en quête de frissons ethniques, Talking Heads a compris l'essence même de cette musique : la pulsation continue, la superposition des strates, le groove mathématique qui libère le corps au lieu de l'enfermer. Pour donner chair à ce monstre polyrythmique, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz et Jerry Harrison ont eu l'excellente idée de s'entourer d'une armée de mercenaires de très haut vol. Faire entrer Bernie Worrell, le sorcier des claviers échappé de Parliament-Funkadelic, c’était déjà un coup de maître pour assurer des lignes de basse synthétiques bien grasses et des nappes cosmiques démentielles. Mais aller chercher Adrian Belew pour lui coller une guitare entre les mains relève du pur génie pyromane, car Belew ne joue pas de la six-cordes, il torture son instrument, lui arrache des cris de mouette enragée, des barrissements d'éléphants cybernétiques et des sirènes d'alarme qui viennent lacérer la trame rythmique. La basse de Weymouth et la frappe implacable de Frantz forment un socle de béton armé, un tapis roulant inextinguible sur lequel viennent s'empiler des percussions d'une complexité affolante. On ne sait plus où donner de la tête, chaque recoin du spectre sonore grouille de détails, de clochettes déphasées, de cocottes de guitare funk ultra-précises et de chœurs qui se répondent dans une cacophonie impeccablement orchestrée. Et au milieu de cette jungle électrique, il y a David Byrne. Oubliez le petit nerd coincé et maladroit des débuts qui chantait comme s'il avait un balai coincé quelque part. Sur Remain in Light, le bonhomme se métamorphose en prédicateur évangéliste halluciné, possédé par une fièvre mystique et une angoisse urbaine totale. Ses textes, largement inspirés par des bribes de slogans publicitaires, des phrases glanées dans des émissions de radio religieuses et des incantations automatiques, prennent une dimension prophétique terrifiante. Byrne n'articule plus, il éructe, il scande, il sermonne une foule invisible, alternant le parlé-chanté fiévreux et des poussées mélodiques d'une intensité folle. Il capture avec une acuité mordante le malaise de l'homme moderne, écrasé par les flux d'informations, l'aliénation de la société de consommation et la perte de repères, tout en vous forçant à remuer le fion sans la moindre retenue. C’est précisément cette dualité qui me fascine : réussir à marier l’angoisse existentielle la plus noire avec un funk d'une sensualité et d'une puissance physique absolument dévastatrices. L’album fonctionne d’ailleurs comme un diptyque d’une redoutable cohérence, divisé en deux faces aux trajectoires émotionnelles radicalement opposées mais parfaitement complémentaires. La première moitié est un assaut frontal ininterrompu, une décharge d'adrénaline pure qui vous saisit à la gorge pour ne plus vous lâcher. Dès les premières secondes de « Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) », on découvre un groove syncopé élastique, des bruits parasites qui crépitent de partout et ce refrain obsessionnel scandé par Byrne avec une urgence de condamné à mort. On enchaîne sans reprendre son souffle sur « Crosseyed and Painless », un marathon funk hystérique propulsé par une ligne de basse d'une insolence totale et un débit vocal quasi-rap où l'esprit finit par lâcher prise devant la vitesse d'exécution. Puis déboule « The Great Curve », sommet absolu de démesure orchestrale où des polyphonies vocales féminines croisent le fer avec les solos apocalyptiques de Belew dans une transe dionysiaque qui frôle la démence pure. C’est touffu, c’est dense, c’est sauvage, mais d'une lisibilité miraculeuse grâce à la production chirurgicale d'Eno. Puis arrive la charnière, ce « Once in a Lifetime » que tout le monde connaît mais qu'il faut réécouter dans son jus pour en saisir toute l'ironie décapante et la grâce cosmique. Ce riff de basse aquatique, cette rythmique sautillante et ce prêche hilarant sur la maison de banlieue, la belle bagnole et la femme idéale qui ne mènent qu'à un grand vide existentiel (« My God! What have I done? »). C'est le tube absolu qui ne ressemble à rien d'autre, le chef-d'œuvre pop par excellence qui cache sous son vernis dansant une charge acide contre le mirage du rêve américain. Après ce sommet, la face B entame une lente descente vers des territoires beaucoup plus crépusculaires, presque spectraux. Le tempo ralentit, la sueur commence à refroidir, et la fête tourne au mauvais trip sous une chaleur moite et suffocante. « Houses in Motion » étire un groove pâteux et paranoïaque, tandis que « Listening Wind » installe une atmosphère quasi-cinématographique d'une beauté vénéneuse, racontant l'histoire d'un insurgé face à l'impérialisme culturel américain sur fond d'arabesques mélodiques lancinantes. Le disque s'achève sur le fascinant « The Overload », tentative délibérée du groupe de composer un morceau dans le style de Joy Division sans avoir jamais écouté un seul de leurs albums, simplement en se basant sur ce qu'ils avaient lu dans la presse musicale britannique. Le résultat est une marche funèbre industrielle, lente, glaçante, noyée sous des bourdonnements synthétiques lugubres et des frappes de tambour caverneuses. C'est l'antithèse absolue de la première face, l'extinction des feux après la transe, le retour brutal à la poussière. En huit morceaux seulement, Talking Heads boucle un voyage sensoriel d'une richesse inépuisable. On est à des années-lumière des petites facilités pop ou des redites flemmardes. Tout ici transpire l'audace, la prise de risque maximale, le refus de la complaisance et une liberté créative totale que très peu de formations ont réussi à atteindre dans l'histoire du rock. En réécoutant ce pavé aujourd'hui, je me rends compte à quel point il a vieilli comme un grand cru classé, sans prendre une seule ride dans la gueule alors que tant de productions du début des années 1980 sonnent désormais comme des reliques poussiéreuses et ringardes. Remain in Light a posé les fondations sur lesquelles viendront bâtir des générations entières de musiciens, de LCD Soundsystem à Foals, en passant par Radiohead, Gorillaz et toute la scène math-rock ou dance-punk des années 2000. C’est un album-monde, un monument d'avant-garde populaire qui parvient à être exigeant sans être chiant, dansant sans être con, et novateur sans être indigeste. La collaboration entre Byrne et Eno atteignait ici son zénith absolu avant que les ego ne finissent par faire imploser la fragile harmonie du groupe lors des sessions suivantes de Speaking in Tongues. Alors oui, nous pouvons ranger les pincettes et remballer notre scepticisme : le roi n'est pas nu, sa couronne est solidement vissée sur son crâne et son trône demeure inviolé. Talking Heads signait là son chef-d'œuvre, l'apogée d'une démarche artistique sans équivalent qui justifie à elle seule toutes les louanges déversées depuis plus de quatre décennies. C'est brillant, c'est halluciné, c'est indispensable. Un album qui mérite son 5 sur 5 sans la moindre hésitation.

While this album was ok, I wouldn’t seek it out for another listen. I typically like funk-style music but this beat felt repetitive and I’m not a fan of spoken lyrics in songs.

Yea I get it. Kinda experimental and just a breathe of fresh air especially for the 80s

Last couple of songs were a snooze

The whole album is kind of like "Born Under Punches"--keeps you off balance and confused while it's on but then it just kind of sticks around in your head all day and you realize it's fundamentally good. 6 keepers in 8 (75%). 2 bangers (25%).

all jams!!!

Another of the 50 or so albums that are in my all-time top 25 - that's two in the last 5 days (with Doolittle). Reading others' reviews I don't really have a ton to add - I guess what hits me most listening this time is how incredible TWs bass sounds (I don't feel comfortable using the word "funky", but if I did, I would say "it's just so damn funky").

I can hear that they try to be unique but I can not understand and like this kind of music. Sorry.

Really solid album, not quite sure I can give it 5 though.

Me fascinan todos los diascos

Sensational. This is the reason talking heads are so revered. Almost perfect

Unreal. Enjoyed every second. Killer bass. Funk and world vibes.

letting the days go by! water something something

アフリカ音楽を大量に取り入れた、トーキング•ヘッズの作品の最高到達点らしい。 リズムが変則的で、聴いたことない音がいっぱい使われてて、ビートがメインのダンス•ミュージックみたいなかんじなのかもしれない。 王道に Born under Punchesと Once in a lifetimeが好きです。聴いていてとっても楽しいし、何回か聴いてこそわかる良さもありそう。何回も聴きます

A solid release by this alternative rock band. Very good instrumentation and songwriting.

Started strong, got weird. Still ok

Maybe I don’t like the talking heads as much as I thought?

Yes yes, whatever you say just keep giving me these Talking Heads albums.

And you may ask yourself... This is all makes sense when I realised that the whole album is stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Wonderful stuff!

The overall rythm can be quite repetitive but I do enjoy the layers on top of them so I don't really mind at all. Good Album!

Just couldn't get into this at all. Didn't even finish it

Miriam Makeba Miriam Makeba Brilliant Corners Thelonious Monk

Album Number 1 on my list… I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come because it’s genuinely unlistenable….

This is definitely an interesting one. The opening three songs are definitely drawing from both Afrobeat and funk influences. The songs are a lot of fun and have a lot of energy. Byrne's vocals aren't given the same focus that you hear on most Talking Heads albums and those vocals often swirl into choruses intermixed with Nona Hendryx's multitracked vocals. You can here the intermixture of that funk influence with the fascination with looping tied to minimalism that was occurring in NY at the time. The big hit, Once in a Lifetime is a kind of midpoint in the album and it takes those elements above and combines it with a far more conventional David Byrne vocal take. It's a great single. From there, the album goes in a far more artier direction, far more similar to the Byrne/Eno album made at the same time. The other single, Houses in Motion brings in that same funk element, but in a more stilted fashion, incorporating a more avant garde sound with the horn arrangements from Jon Hassell. From there it gets increasingly abstract, ending with a very grim and droning track, "The Overload" Overall, this is as close to the avant garde as the group gets. You definitely hear some of the same interests in a kind of mutant funk that other post-punk bands were going at the same time. It's also a much different sounding album than you would have thought it was going to be if you had just heard the main single. I like it. Incidentally, Angelique Kidjo made a really fantastic cover version of the album a few years ago and I highly recommend that.

Such an amazing album by one of the greatest bands of all time. The rhythms of Tina and Chris, so heavily funk-influenced, the guitars of David and Jerry, and Jerry's keyboard work, and of course the lyrics from David and Brian Eno. It's one of their best, and it's been decades since I've sat down and listened to the whole album all the way through. Just terrific.

If you ever wondered what the hypnotic polyrhythms that you could find in the music of Fela Kuti would sound like if they fronted by a zany autistic white guy, then look no further than Talking Heads' masterpiece. Backed by talented studio guns Brian Eno and Adrian Belew, all the moving parts here just work perfectly and still sound fresh some 40 years later. The band take influence from afrobeat and reggae sounds, but they never feel like they are ripping that style off and use it to create their own unique sound. From the infectious percussion to the funky guitar work to David Byrne scatty paranoid singing, there's so much to love here.

I need someone to play "Houses in Motion" to a couple of huskies.

A fantastic bit of post-punk energy from Talking Heads. Lots of African beats and funked up looped grooves and I love how songs build up and sounds get layered on, especially on Born Under Punches and The Great Curve. The album highlight is the brilliant Once In A Lifetime. The second half of the album doesn't quite hold my attention as much as the first half, but Listening Wind and The Overload use dub effects in interesting ways that would have inspired later music. A solid 4 stars.

I tried listening to the Talking Heads greatest hits album and couldn't really get into it, should've listened to this one instead, this rocks

Love

VERDICT: Peak weird dance music. Often imitated, never equaled. BEFORE: I love the Talking Heads and I could stand to listen to them a bit more often. No complaints here. AFTER: This is a classic. Complex, thrilling, funky, catchy, experimental in a way that never undermines the groove. Every time I listen to it I hear something new and exciting. This is the sound of a band doing exactly what they want with incredible results. I was glad to hit this on the weekend because it means I had time to listen to it twice. You can hear the influence on a lot of the 00's indie bands coming out of New York in the mix of dance, rock, funk and electronic sounds and the structuring of tracks as dance music rather than traditional verse-chorus rock songs. HIGHLIGHTS: This is busy music that wouldn't work without Brian Eno's carefully balanced production which keeps everything crystal clear and in perfect balance. Born Under Punches' glitchy techno-funk sounds decades ahead of its time. Crosseyed and Painless and The Great Curve set the template for LCD Soundsystem's entire career. I particularly love the multi-layered vocals, brass stabs and what I assume is Adrian Belew's avant garde guitar work on The Great Curve. Once in a Lifetime and Houses in Motion are both fixtures of my playlists but somehow never get old. Once In A Lifetime is riotous and Buildings In Motion slinky and sinister. Listening Wind has eerie electronics and fantastic percussion - it almost sounds like 90s downbeat or triphop. LOWLIGHTS: There is a slight energy dip in those final three tracks but not enough to detract from the quality of the music. VERDICT: 5/5. A masterpiece.

Already have a copy of this one a classic

Meh? Once In a Lifetime is good. The rest is ok, nothing really stood out to me, but it is definitely a different sound. David Byrne's voice can be a little moany and annoying at times. (3)

Wow. This one really surprised me :D Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) ★★★★⯪ Crosseyed and Painless ★★★★✩ The Great Curve ★★★★✩ Once in a Lifetime ★★★★✩ Houses in Motion ★★★★✩ Seen and Not Seen ★★★★✩ Listening Wind ★★★★⯪ The Overload ★★★★✩

Just no.

Was expecting more from this album

Once in a Lifetime is of course one of the greatest songs ever. Listening Wind reminds me that this band is straight up weird. Despite how much I love that one track, the album overall is just okay.

A very nervous album. A lot going on, no spaces to take a breath. Might be a bit too long for that feeling. But the breath was found at last on The Overload. Which might be my favorite, alongside Born Under Punches and Once in a Lifetime.

oh yeah this is what i want to hear! funky ass grooves. 9/10

Hammam moet nog zo luisteren maar niet echt mijn smaak denk

To jest jedna z najcudowniejszych płyt wszechczasów i naprawdę, wszystko jest tutaj doskonałe. Konstrukcja płyty jako całości, poszczególne kawałki, budowanie nastroju, ale najmocniejszym punktem niewątpliwie jest Listening Wind. Boże, to nagranie to jest lewitacja dla ciała, ducha, wszystkiego. Kocham Talking Heads, kocham tę plytę, chcę być tą płytą jak dorosnę.

Not the best and not the worst TH album. It’s entertaining. Once in a Lifetime is a fantastic song.

Good album, didn’t think I’d like it but I did

Not my favorite Talking Heads album but even second rate Talking Heads is better than most albums.

Je m'attendais pas à accrocher. Il faut dire que je m'attendais encore à un album de post-punk et j'ai l'impression d'en avoir eu plein, ces temps derniers. En revérifiant, je me rends compte que c'est au moins le deuxième album du groupe que j'écoute dans la liste. Le précédent ne m'avait pas plus marqué que ça. Mais dans tous les cas, celui-ci était vraiment sympa à écouter. Il se passait plein de choses à chaque moment, c'était assez délirant et on a souvent droit à des grosses basses bien en avant, qui font bien plaisir. Mais je n’accroche pas autant que certains autres. Il a un statut culte et est extrêmement bien noté sur Rate Your Music, mais moi, ça ne me parle pas tant que ça. Mais je dois admettre que c'est super bien foutu, à l'époque, ça devait retourner le cerveau. Il faut dire que le groupe n'a pas peur d'expérimenter et de faire des trucs bizarres. J'ai trouvé certains titres un peu trop répétitifs pour leur bien, mais sinon, on sent la passion et l'attention au détail dans chaque composition, tant l'espace sonore est occupé à la perfection. Pas mon truc, mais je comprends qu'il soit dans la liste.

The 4th TH album so far, probably the best. The beats on the first few tracks do the heavy lifting. Once in a lifetime is so good. Gets sort of less interesting by the end of Side 2. 4.5 rounded down Heard before? Yes Owned: Yes, 106/409 (25%) Will I get: Already have

Easily my favorite Talking Heads album. Perfection.

Pretty awesome, David Byrne is an inspiration to every autist

Didn't like, just The Overload track

Almost a 5 star album but for the last 2 tracks

If anything could explain Talking Heads, this is it. A collaboration and tribute to West African musical traditions, they join that with New Wave synth-pop and David Byrne goofy lyrics, sometimes spoken akin to early, early hip hop, and out comes this landmark.

I like the talking heads, but of the three albums from them I know, this is my least favorite.

Yes

Fine (sorry Harness)

It's really good at times, but just way too weird.

Not my favourite of their but still an easy 5

music for music nerds

Better than Coldplay

It’s really nice

Again, if 3,5 was possible, this would be it. Better than average, but not sure I will come back to this.

Not my fav one.

Interessante come ogni cosa dei Talking Heads. Non è il mio sound preferito ma molto figo. La mia preferita forse Once in a Lifetime.

A classic for a reason. My favorite aspect is the perfect rise-and-fall sequencing. One of the best sequenced albums ever. ML399

Really dig this album. Seemed ahead of its time and the tracks have aged well. Funky and intelligent and fun.

I only knew psychokiller by talking heads, so this was a refreshing look at the band

For a long time I didn't really care for the output of Talking Heads, but the music is more and more growing on me. Especially this release is my favourite Talking Heads album and every time I play this record I love it more. Great production by Brian Eno.

simply fantastic

I picked up this CD from a bargain bin knowing it had some hit songs, but didn't expect to enjoy so many other tracks

Grandes como siempre. Me encanta porque te agregan todos los sonidos que quieren sin cansar

Appreciate the creativity and musician ship but it just doesn't gel with me. Once in a Lifetime is an obvious banger though.

Pleasant dance music all around. Almost all tracks sounded like the kind of thing you'd put on a playlist and call it a deep cut. "Once in Lifetime" only real standout track.

Probably their best album musically but not my favourite for songs, if that makes any sense. It's so rich and layered and clever, but it's also among my lesser played Talking Heads albums by some distance. But it's still absolutely brilliant – they're just that good of a band. I was so happy to listen to this today. Some of their coolest, strangest arrangements are on here, and some of their most delicious percussion and bass. The atmosphere's so dense and immersive it makes me feel like I'm underwater. The whole record has an intense, nocturnal, dreamlike mood that verges on menacing, even though it's also addictively danceable. The Overload is some dark, weighty post-punk – I love that coming from them. One of those albums that just embodies immortal cool. I love Talking Heads! I love David Byrne! And you too, Brian Eno! 🫶

Another album I used to have. Bought it on release because I loved the single Once in a Lifetime. So disappointed with the rest that I swapped it for a copy of The Who by Numbers (which I ultimately got rid of as well!). Hearing again now, there were a couple more tracks which went down well but on the whole I still don't like the album that much. I will listen to the other album that everyone else recommends though - Speaking in Tongues - which I've never heard.

Im a bit of a late comer to Talking Heads but have been pretty obsessed the past year or so. This album is fantastic with world music/punk/reggae influences - and in my opinion shows that the band is more than just Byrne (the bass is amazing!). I cannot believe this album is from 1980 as it still sounds so modern and fresh.

There is no better album to drum along with your hands to! Gloriously odd, undeniably funky, with superb Eno production, what’s not to like? The only thing I never understand is why this is the ‘one’ Talking Heads you’re supposed to hear - it’s a great record but I only really ‘got’ them when I heard of Fear of Music and Speaking in Tongues. I guess it’s cos of ‘Once in a Lifetime’, but yeah i dont think this is the gateway drug people think it is.

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Talking Heads are just fantastic. They pioneered new wave and blended art house and pop in a way that no one else has matched. Side A is a 4.5 but side B kind of drones a bit too much.

Once in a lifetime is of course one of the best songs of all time. The rest of the album stays good, but it is also quite a hefty thing. I should give it more focus than I do.

Hard to fault and impossible not to impulsively dance to. Don’t love the last track “The Overload” but otherwise excellent throughout.

Odd and neurotic, and a delight to listen to. Maybe they were just too new, because they never did it again.

Not my favorite Talking Heads album but it's a masterpiece. Deep and epic in scale and incredibly polyrhythmic. It builds on Fear of Music to an ethereal scale. And Side A may be one of the best sides of music ever pressed to vinyl

"Crosseyed and Painless" and "Once in a Lifetime" are two of the Talking Heads best songs and make this an album worth listening to. "Born Under Punches" and "The Great Curve" are also strong tracks. Unfortunately, the last three songs slow down the momentum significantly. This is a strong 3 that could be a 4.

This was the last thing I needed after the latest Elvis Costello album. I already don't like Talking Heads, and the one song I knew going in - Once In a Lifetime - is of course one of the top 5 worst songs of all time. Right up there with Call Me Al and What A Wonderful World. But perhaps the rest of the album is good. It doesn't start well, the first song acting as a checklist for many things I don't like in music - talky singy, intellectual New York types, white boy Afro/Jamaican beats, fragmented parts, jangling. Guitar solo is very cool. Why the song goes on for another two minutes after this is a mystery. The 2nd song is very funky and the third follows suit but is again at least 2 minutes too long. Both would be far better served if they had a vocalist who could, you know, sing. The 4th track is unrelenting in how dismal it is and must never be spoken of again.

yesss talking heads, songs kind of blended into one but was a vibe the whole way through. Really cool one.

Sound particolari, a volte mi sembra di sentire solo rumori e non musica, non è molto il mio genere, Listening Wind fa viaggiare, Crosseyed and Painless hit.

I enjoyed this album. Discordant and frankly odd, The Talking Heads were rather out there, but this album abused some of the pitfalls of other outings for them. They didn’t get too far into the bizarre, staying as grounded as they ever do. And I love Once In A lifetime (but who doesn’t).

Not too bad, but rather repetitive at times.

This was phenomenal. I can’t believe it took me so long to listen to this.

Side 1: Upbeat and rhythmic Side 2: Slower, atmospheric Best songs: Once In A Lifetime, Seen and Not Seen Didnt grab me as much as other Talking Heads songs/albums

Ditto my previous statements about Talking Heads/David Byrne.

I’ve been loving the Talking Heads since this experiment made me do a deep dive on More Songs About Buildings and Food but I didn’t think this one was as grabby. Still some strange ass lyrics and composition, but in a fun way. Light 3

whole byrnussy in this one.

Nice vibe from this album

Interesting. I was familiar with Once in a Lifetime, which shaped a lot of the way I view David Byrne—spastic and quirky—but it was cool to listen to the Afro rhythms in this album and to hear how they experimented with sounds, lyrics and subject matter.

funky sounds

Very fun rhythms, it's often quite groovy. But just feels so repetitive.

Fine. Songs grew repetitive and mor monotonous as the album went on. Though I did like Once in a Lifetime

I'm only four songs in and I'm already so annoyed. Way too repetitive. This is just so grating on the ears rn I need to listen to something else. Picking it up again, at first it was less offensive, but then fela's riff happened and I'm having a terrible time again.

no se xq siempre espero algo mas de esta banda y siempre me decepciona con un terrible meh. 5/10

Never listened to an entire TH album before and now I know why

Cool

Perfect. No notes

UNREAL. only knew ‘once in a lifetime’ prior to listening, a great time. hell yeah

Great stuff

Mid tier Talking Heads for min del. Men mid tier Talking Heads er fremdeles bedre enn det meste.

Dette er vel den beste platen til TH? Once in a life er den beste låten deres.

10/10. De fire første låten e så bra at andre halvdel virke litt tam. Den e bra den også. Favorittlåt: Crosseyed and Painless

Liker det, men det blir fort litt enigmatisk og ubestemmelig (både musikken og tekstene).

Helt ok!

Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but still great stuff. The second half has this chilling dark atmospheric vibe which is interesting but not as enjoyable as the first quirky half with its more famous songs. 8.5/10

Enjoyed

Once in a lifetime gör hela albumet, älskar den!

Det här är bra. I like. Efter några mer utmanande album de senaste dagarna är vi tillbaka med musik som helt enkelt bara är bra. Den är kreativ och unik, men varken svårlyssnad eller överstimulerande. Absolut ska jag medge att den vid första lyssning inte riktigt når upp till det goda ryktet som albumet har, men det är såklart fortfarande ett bra album. Jag är dessutom övertygad om att med fler lyssningar och ett lite vanare öra kan detta nå 9-10/10. För tillfället blir min bedömning dock 8/10.

Absolut klassiker!!!!!!!!! För jävla groovy (vet inte om det är ordet jag vill använda men jag är trött o måste sova nu) en tydlig ljudbild från start till slut o David Byrnes unika o härliga röst är en trygghet i orostider (måndagkväll). Ett album jag besökt för ganska länge sen men jag är GLAD att jag återbesökte. Min favorit på skivan är ”Crosseyed and Painless” som är snabb, rolig o slår rakt ner i mitt blod. Hade jag haft mer tid skulle jag sätta mig o läsa alla texter, men det har jag dessvärre inte tid för denna afton så adjö o godnatt, jag är glad att detta var dagens album. Puss o kram

7/10

Classic banger alert

Banger!!!

Weird, surprising, and enjoyable. PF: Right Start

Classic

Not bad, repetitive, not my style

Honestamente un poco sin más. Es el primer disco que escucho entero de los Talking Heads y se me ha hecho un poco largo. Encima no había ningún hit de los que conozco. Meh.

adhd

I was never a Talking Heads fan, beyond the 2 or 3 radio hits. I don't own their albums. That said, I enjoyed "Remain in Light" immensely, and have kicked myself in the ass for not listening earlier.

esta bastante cool el concepto, me gustaron la mayoría de sus canciones y pienso que es un álbum al cual le voy a dar una oportunidad por las melodías que tiene. crosseyd and painless mi fav

It feels like I like every Talking Heads album a little less than the one before it. It's getting better. Once in a Lifetime is my favorite Talking Heads song, it's just a great song. This album had some ups and downs, but I generally liked it.

It's Talking Heads and they are doing Funky things. There's a very clear evolution you can hear from their earlier works to this one. Not necessarily better or worse but more different. More influence from Funk and World makes it a bit more of a fun listen for me. Can't really find a fault with this one. I guess the final track just kind of goes on for too long. But other than that, pure bliss.

amazing, already knew it, hard to forget, good to re-listen

As usual with early 80s Talking Heads a few bangers (Once in a Life Time) but also very self indulgent at points.

Was fine,, not really my jam

Maybe not my favourite Talking Heads, but an album from these guys is always gonna be a gift horse. It’s cool and I like it.

es para dejar de fondo y bacilar.

I love the Talking Heads, but 4 albums within 6 years all in the Top 1001? I think that's overkill, their sound didn't change much during that time, it's not justified. "Once In A Lifetime" was the Heads song that got me into them as a kid just getting into rock radio and the video on MTV helped a ton! As mentioned, I'm not sure why this album stands out from the others. I like nearly all of it, but with only one hit song with a legacy, it's not as appealing as the others. There's definitely a "weird" factor built into this one with odd sounds, lots of percussion, a bit of preaching but nothing outside their norm. I found a few songs to be waaaay too long. Best lesser-known track for me was "Crosseyed And Painless". Least favorite track was "The Great Curve" followed closely by "Houses In Motion". 3 stars, one amazingly great song and some other better-than-average songs to go with it. It's not T1001 worthy in my book.

What a great start to the week! Despite containing what I believe are two of the greatest TH songs ever, I think this is my second favorite album by them. Full of great grooves and very evident Fela Kuti influences, this is such an experimental and unabashedly weird collection of songs (which, as a lifelong TH fan, I will eat right up). Favorite tracks: Born Under Punches, Crosseyed and Painless, Once in a Lifetime

Truth is, I'm really just not as into these guys as most people are. I enjoy them, and deeply respect them, but nothing about their LPs really connect with me as a whole. This one however, is probably my favorite of theirs (brave choice, I know). Has my favorite song by them which is a plus. It's a good album. Don't really have much else to say.

Don’t know what i expected but this exceeded it, the first of these albums i’ve listened to that was actually infused with joy and a groove. I’m not sure I will actively listen again but this was a very enjoyable soundtrack to my Sunday

So many staggering musical moments in here but there were a lot of songs I wanted to like more than I did. Maybe I don’t have enough whimsy in my heart?

5/5 Not my personal favorite TH album, but its influence and groove are undeniable. Iconic riffs, songwriting, and band synergy.

The beat goes on. And on. I love Talking Heads but this album gave me anxiety on the first listen. Love it when he says “same as it ever was” because that’s so REAL! The final song was a little spooky and i loved the dark vibes. Probably my favorite song on the album. Definitely not a driving in the car album for sure—it was hard to be a defensive driver while this was playing. Gave me anxiety on the second listen too. I love talking heads but this isnt it for me (except the last song)

That opening AH was so cool and really made me think the rest of the album would be cool, and it kinda was (shoutout Once in a Lifetime) but for the most part, everything that started to feel cool eventually felt repetitive and boring. Maybe I don't do enough drugs.

Revisiting this album after having gone on a Fela Kuti side quest made the re-listen feel like I had galaxy brain. Still love the ad-libs, especially the Hannibal lecter noises and straight up screaming. So iconic!

Is this a safe space for me to say that I was a little meh on this album? (It’s not.) Okay I love Talking Heads, I love David Byrne, I love Brian Eno, of course I love Once in a Lifetime, but fundamentally it’s not music that I have a great time just sitting and listening to. Obviously very daring and innovative and funky and fusion-y and you can bop to it on the dance floor until you collapse. But also sometimes it just gets to be densely repetitive and Byrne is warbling his way through lyrics that don’t mean a darn thing to me and I get tired. Call me a simpleton if you have to. Second act montage needle drop in my biopic: “Once in a Lifetime” (any excuse to play it tbh)

Ethereal, lots of interesting sounds. I liked it more than I was anticipating. Fav: "Once in a lifetime"

I've been wanting to give out less fives but unfortunately boys hollering and layered percussion and synth is exactly my style, this album whips ass. I've been a big fan of once in a lifetime for a while and it was nice to hear the rest of the album hold up. Cereal with milk from the work fridge that is technically supposed to be used for tea and coffee

I’m gonna get the firing squad for this I just know it. I was super excited for a talking heads album as I’ve never really explored their music but road to nowhere is one of my favorite songs of all time. I really wanted to love this but it just wasnt for me. I get it I really do, it’s funky and melodic and weird which is why I thought it would be my shit but idk, most of them just felt like a weird beat on repeat which I think would be fun to listen to at a trampoline park or an aquarium. Once in a lifetime and the great curve were my favorites on here

same as it ever was 🙂‍↕️ i’m trying to be stingier with how much i give out 5 stars but the almighty generator just keeps giving us perfect albums … recently went down a fela kuti/afrobeat rabbit hole so this was fun to revisit with the added context that eno and byrne & co were heavily influenced by fela when working on this record , thank you @joesama for that favorites: the great curve & houses in motion egg and scallion pancake

Talking Head's Remain in Light is kind of funky, sometimes a little weird, and sometimes it's a lot of fun. It's never boring. It's not my favorite Talking Heads album, but it's still really good.

Holy shit that was annoying.

10/10

I was pretty bored throughout

The video of Kermit singing Once in a Lifetime is a generational triumph. I exclude the "unfinished outtakes" from my review because I am biased. Fave track: Once in a Lifetime.

It’s an album that I’ve always been unable to really describe. But for this relisten, I read the album synopsis per Apple Music, and one word really stuck out to me – “polyrhythm”. Without even really understanding what the word means outside of the obvious, this word seems to encapsulate exactly what this album is in just one word. Anyways, it’s a classic, pretty simple really. Talking Heads’ best album. 5/5

Hadn't listened to this for years. I don't know why, it's superb from start to finish.

Always struggled to enjoy Talking Heads - a band I've respected more than anything. I did enjoy revisiting this, though. A point knocked off for all the rubbishy spoken word bands they've inspired recently.

Ohhhhhhh - An absolute snorter of an LP, thanks for sharing RGP. 4 stars of pure love.❤️ ❤️❤️❤️. Tom.

Talking Heads have such an interesting and delightful sound. I am kind of shocked that they had some hits. Not everything was a winner here, but it was a fun listen. Bonus points for being interesting.

It's weird. Overall is a great album but I wouldn't identify one song as my favorite, maybe "Once in a Lifetime".

Super boring. Same sounds over and over again every song nothing wowed me. Frankly I'm disappointed.

It's a groovy album but just not for me :( very repetitive and orange and red that made me uncomfy </3 I liked once in a lifetime most the rest just kinda blended in. I also didnt mind The Great Curve, until it started just sounding the same lol

no thanks

Man, what the hell. (Copied from my other group.)

I don't think it's my favourite TH album, but man it's great. Mid 4s.

Heismusikk

David Byne was always ahead of his time!

Once in a Lifetime on its own could earn this album a 5, but i also like the rest of the songs!

I woke up unusually early in the morning before needing to get ready for work, so I spent the extra time lounging on the couch and listening to this album. Another day, another wonderful Talking Heads album! The list has been kind enough to give us these last three Talking Heads albums in order, so I've enjoyed hearing their sound progress from More Songs About Buildings And Food to Fear of Music to Remain in Light. In comparison to the previous albums, Remain in Light leans even further into electronic sounds with a variety of "bleep boop" sound effects providing a sonic bedrock for the rest of the instrumentation, with even the guitars sometimes being plucked and strummed at a rapid pace to match that of the digital sound effects. It creates a musical atmosphere as if I'm inside a slot machine, but it's all still balanced out with more acoustic instruments. As always, David Byrne's vocals still follow their own unique tempo and spoken rhythm, with some of the vocal mannerisms here sounding even more like Viagra Boys than they already did. While Byrne's vocals are always a highlight, he is also frequently joined by various backing vocal performances which provide even more color to the songs here. And at the center of it all, Once in a Lifetime is an all-time perfect song; it almost feels like the centerpiece of the album, around which every other song orbits. This is not meant to downplay the quality of the rest of the album in any way, but merely to highlight the sheer magnitude of Once in a Lifetime. There is one more Talking Heads album left to encounter on this list, and while I am slightly disappointed Speaking in Tongues is not that final project, I look forward to finally hearing where it all started on their debut album. Highlights: Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), Crosseyed and Painless, The Great Curve, Once in a Lifetime, Houses in Motion, Seen and Not Seen, Listening Wind, The Overload

Great album, but also not my cup of tea. Some tracks were also very clearly the direct inspiration for a lot of things I do listen to regularly.

not the usual stuff i listen to but it is very easy on the ears you can easily vibe with it as background noise

Great

Listen again

Liked this quite a bit. Good 80s vibes

Surprised at how much I liked this. Once in a lifetime was obviously recognizable. Besides that though, I was blind. Listening on headphones was the right move though. The musicianship behind the percussion on this one was truly something to behold

Of the New Wave staples, the talking heads are lower on the list for me. I do love their groovy bass and rhythms though

A feat of bizarre unique space music, the last two or three tracks might fizzle out rather than achieve any fanfarous conclusion but that's not enough to cancel out the pure intrigue offered by the rest of the album The jives are unstoppable

The first side of this album, holy fuck. Then you add "Once in a Lifetime" and "Houses in Motion" and you have one of the best five song runs on a record ever. Every tune here is a perfectly assembled groove from the core Heads, then you add Adrien Belew doing crazy guitar shit, Nona Hendrix adding vocal textures, etc., etc. Talking Heads at the peak of their powers.

Hard to argue with this one.

Oh hey, Once in a Lifetime, this is pretty great! Oh, that was it. Dang. The rest wasn't bad but that was the clear standout for me.

I've listened to this album a lot of times and I could never figure out why it's rated so highly. One great song, the other stuff is just boring and unmemorable.

It’s been around 20 years since someone told me to listen to this album, and I’m still coming back to it regularly.

was excited to listened to this, but i think i got my hopes a little bit too high. the first half is decently nice, and if they kept the pace throughout it i might think of it more favorably, but there is some misses towards the end.

Man, this album is awesome. You know, I'm not a fan of post-punk new wave (apart from The Cure), but Brian Eno's work really pushes it through. The whole moody post-punk thing works so well on this album because it's so dynamically interesting. Yeah, the A-side is significantly better than the B-side, but the whole thing holds up well.

I really liked how funky this whole album was

sou doente por esse album pqp vão ser inovadores assim no inferno!!

I am fed up of David Byrne. Another pretty rubbish album, his voice is like someone trying to sing while constantly being hit with an electric shock. Once in a lifetime is good, but the rest is pretty crap.

first album of theres' I somewhat enjoyed ay

This album has always been too frenetic and jittery for me, but there is still something genius in the rhythms. The music engages you on several levels simultaneously, which I find exhausting, but it's amazing. Also, Once In a Lifetime is brilliant.

Didnt really know Talking Heads and loved discovering this! Will listen again.

Kinda dancy and bobby and movey and makes me wanna get up. I think much in the same way as Divine Music From a Jail, the songs do sound kinda samey after a while but the overall beats are so bobby.

monumental

another one i've already heard! to be honest i've always found this one a bit overrated, but i still think it's a great album; definitely a lot better than most of the completely forgettable filler that's present on this list. 4/5, pretty carried by once in a lifetime, and definitely deserves to be here!

What a cool album Not what I expected it to sound like at all Once In a Lifetime is such a fun song and I love the experimentations with funk on The Great Curve and Crosseyed and Painless

not bad but kinda repetitive

"And you may find yourself. Living in a shotgun shack." It's all very clever isn't it (no surprise, Eno is here AGAIN). But somehow, misses the part where music should be, I don't know, fun maybe? Exciting. Technically accomplished, introducing the world to different sounds, well written................... but I just cannot justify anything higher than a 3. 3.49 probably, but still 3.

Not my cup of tea. Bowie or Iggy Pop are much more interesting to me. 3/5

I love talking heads

Love the talking heads, love this album.

If it wasn’t for the fading between songs, I wouldn’t know when the album moved to the next song. It’s the same thing over and over again. Constant repetition, same formula, nothing stood out.

OK album, one banger, lots of more exploratory/experimental tracks. Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but worth a listen.

Once in a lifetime is excellent but the rest just passed me by.

Imagine if we got a full album of covers of this done by different muppets. For whatever reason when I was younger and first started listening to the Talking Heads, Remain in Light just didn’t click with me like some of their other stuff did. I gave it a few chances because it seemed to be generally regarded as their best. After years of listening to the Talking Heads in some form pretty nonstop (thanks Allie) I’ve grown to really appreciate and like this whole album. It really is that great

original. catchy.

The album is sooooo good. I love the vibe😍. This album is 4/5 for me

Un álbum muy original tanto lírica como musicalmente. Conceptos muy interesantes.

For me, a little of this band goes a long way. I find that there’s a bit too much of talk-singing in this particular album for my liking. I am having trouble deciding between two and three stars. I don’t hate it, but it’s clearly not my thing. I guess I will land on three stars, but I certainly don’t need to hear it again.

David Byrne is a weirdo and I am here for it. The energy dips a little towards the end but this album is FUNKY. Each song has such a distinct feel and groove that just makes you enjoy the whole ride. Likes: Born Under Punches; Crosseyed and Painless; The Great Curve; Once in a Lifetime; Houses in Motion; Listening Wind

It's a great album, full of groove and charm. Some truly wonderful tracks on here that just fill me with positivity. Crosseyed and Painless is such a jam, and there aren't enough words to describe how good Once in a Lifetime is. The package as a whole probably isn't quite perfect enough for me to rate it 5* though! Favourites: Crosseyed and Painless The Great Curve Once In a Lifetime

This was a great album. I would definitely listen to it during a rainy day in the car.

Wow. What a surprise. I wasn't expecting the music based on the cover. Experimental, rhythmic and dark. The vocals (spoken word?) are distinctive and add to the otherness of the album. It's starts with energy and descends into a contemplative trance state by the end. I found it hard to recall much of the back half - even after two listens. The first four tracks are pure fire though. 3*

quite funky at some points and has a lot of weird instrumentation, i understand its influence on music but, i don't think i would listen to it much, it still has some good songs though. seen and not seen sounds like it's from earthbound

Canciones muy buenas (chance y las agrego a mi playlist): - Born under punches - Crosseyed and painless - Once in a lifetime Las otras son buenas también Calificación: 8/10

Definitely not as good as their debut, but still a great album. Byrne is fucking weird, but in a damn good way. He’s just there, letting the days go by.

wasn't impressed, but it was fun to listen. quite different songs and moods. not bad.

This came out when I was in high school. Just mainstream enough to get commercial radio station coverage. I didn't like Brian Eno as a solo artist but here his touch is not as heavy as it is filtered by the other members of the band. Spotify even has some unfinished outtakes from the album, some of which I found interesting.

Okay, kinda cool

The kind of funky beats I look to the talking heads for

This was an interesting album, but not one I really enjoyed.

So deliciously odd

Great! 5/5

Fun and new and wacky. Really enjoyed it, but not really in a "I want to listen to this again" kind of way. Just, fun first experience. Glad I got to listen.

enough time has passed this is a 10

8/10 Best songs: Born Under Punches, The Great Curve, Houses in Motion Interestingly, I just got my first Talking Heads album 10 days ago. I wasn't a fan (I think I said it wasn't particularly sonically pleasing). This album, however, accomplishes what that album was aiming for with aplomb. There's a distinct experimental vein that runs through every track, with many songs managing to be catchy with great beats. That being said, the album kind of loses its way by the end, falling into either a dull droning repetition or an almost atonal sound that copies what I disliked so much about the other album I heard by them. I think I would have considered giving this 5 stars if not for the final two tracks, but they really do ruin it all for me, unfortunately.

I think it has many interesting rythmns and sounds. Some of the songs kind of reminds me of King Crimson's Three of a perfect pair. But most of the time the different sounds and percussions feel busier on this album. I dont really know how to explain it but the album really has an interesting sound, and the songs are almost funky, which is not exactly what I was expecting

Not all art is good art. Jerry Harrison can't be questioned on his producing skills. Don't you dare say he's not an artist. David Byrne has done it all, acting writing, producing theater, music, books. Tina and Chris and the Tom Tom club.., and look the fact is the Talking Heads are absolutely a legendary band. But when you're nine-year-old tells you to turn it back to good music when this album starts...it's telling.

Horrible album cover. Damn good album. Preferred side 1 where all three songs are bangers. Side 2 began to drift a bit by the end, and are what cost this a perfect score for me

In my opinion utterly brilliant, but I love Talking Heads and this album too. Great band, great album.

Songs are really fun. Great listen.

Surprisingly good. Very instrumental and groovy. Didn't have a chance to listen to the lyrics.

Really enjoyed the African influence that didn't come off like a parody or cheap imitation. Preferred the first 2/3 of the album to the last. Already knew/loved Once in a Lifetime. Happy to have heard The Great Curve and Houses in Motion.

God, men husker ikke så mange sange, så det gjorde ikke det største indtryk på mig. Note: hør igen

Not my favorite Talking Heads but it's pretty solid still. Pretty groovy overall.

Favourites: 1. Born Under Punches 2. Crosseyed and Painless 3. Once in a Lifetime

Great album.

Martes de autismo

Never got this, never will

Not half bad

If Toto was actually in Africa. Great instrumentation, love the voices.

Interesting album with a lot of moving pieces. Bassist fucking slaps. Very repetitive lyrics. Psychedelic. Best song: House in Motion.

First two songs are literally just loud noises put together, I did not know what’s happening. Couldn’t even hear the singer.The overall album was like okay if it was an experimental album I get it but if they were making music like this as a norm that’s a bit weird.I can see the people that would like this album but I can see the majority of people that wouldn’t like this album including me.

Not the biggest Talking Heads fan, a fun listen though!

I did not like this very much. It is way too experimental and wacky for me to enjoy it. I can see the appeal of the album but it's just not suitable for me.

I had a bias against Talking Heads, but this album convinced me. Hypnotic and beautifully layered. 5 out of 5

Pretty sure this will get even better with every listen, but I liked it a lot so far.

C’est bien hein mais j’écouterais pas, c’est du vieux vieux rock mais c’est sympa quand ça passe (y’en a 1 pepite)

Five brilliant tracks, then three weird ones we don’t talk about.

Слишком странно для меня

Amazing from start to finish, even the unfinished songs on the deluxe version are earworms.

This is such a strong album. The instrumental work is so unique in each song and there's so much subtle complexity. I feel like I could listen to it for hours and hear new things each time. While I listen I'm constantly guessing where a minor instrumental flourish or touch will show up. Born Under Punches is a strong opener and every song after takes it into new directions. Listening Wind is hypnotic and heads into The Overload perfectly.

Lost count of how many times I listened to this album. It must feel crazy to create a song like Once in a Lifetime. So locked in. Lots of cool moments throughout the album. Listening Wind was a track that I got lost in.

Repetetive.. meh

The best

1980. Third and final album to be produced by Brian Eno. Blended African polyrhythms and funk with electronics, recording instrumental tracks as a series of looping grooves.

I appreciate it for what it is and the time it was created and it's influence. Most of it is not my cup of tea personally, and after also diving into the deluxe version with unreleased tracks, I prefer those.

meh not for me

ambient, they have other better albums. 4.5