1001 Albums Generator
Fear Of Music by Talking Heads

Fear Of Music

Talking Heads

1979
3.47
Rating
29934
Votes
1
3%
2
14%
3
34%
4
32%
5
17%
Distribution
Genres: Rock, Punk Styles: Post-Punk, New Wave, Art Rock

Reviews (page 2 of 14)

Not for me. Not for most people. Honestly, not made for people. Probably made for some weird aliens or as illuminati code.

I always enjoy the first half of their albums and then tired of it by the end. The last song on this album was particularly boring too. An easily rounded up 3

Interesting. And not in the good way. Did they name this "Fear of Music" because they feared creating music? 1.5 stars, rounding up.

só drugs é skip o resto é hit

David Bryne has a way of weaving uber catchy hooks with absurd. 'Heard about Houston? Heard about Detroit? Heard about Pittsburgh, PA?'

Fine but didn’t do enough for me

While I don't necessarily 'get' The Talking Heads, it's an enjoyable listen

Talking Heads have really grown on me due to this challenge. Still don't really buy into the lore or lyrics but I love the weaponization of the groove and afrobeats.

This album never really hit for me the way others around it did.

I came late to Talking Heads after listening to Stop Making Sense not long ago. However, listening to Fear of Music apart from I Zimbra and Memories Can't Wait, very average. I love Heaven and Life During Wartime on Stop Making Sense but on here they sound underwhelming in comparison

Definitivno sm ta album že poslušala (I fucking love Talking Heads), sam se na pogled ne spomnim teh komadov - torej, ne zapomnim se velikokrat naslovov komadov, ki so mi všeč (ja, včasih jih težko najdem zarad tega, moram se spomnit jih polajkat v Tidalu, da so nek shranjeni). Ne vem zakaj jih večkrat ne poslušam, ker it's always a great time. Vsi so kinda bangers - se mi pa zdi brezveze izpostavljat, kateri so mi bli najljubši, ker so mi skor vsi bli tok všeč (bom sam "Life During Wartime" - tega sm verjetno največkrat poslušala s tega albuma. Pa "Heaven" k dejansko nardi justice svojemu imenu.)

Très bon album, Ressemble à du super tramp et du tragically hips, crazy bass lines, la fin est un peu décevante

Crazy rhythms abound on what is seen by many as their best album

Track 2 states they need something to change their mind and so do I. This project has me pointing out a hell of a lot of what I am not a fan of. Yeah, they have always been a Triple M radio staple and with a sound that is recognisably them (talking heads), arty pop is just not my scene. I was surprised to see this album came out in 1979 and whilst I knew they undeniably were popular in the 80’s didn’t realise how early they started. Would I buy this album if I saw it in the $5 bargain bin - No, hmm I was really hoping to find more albums I love to add to my collection. Lucky there are 100’s of albums to go!

Talking Heads is just fun.

Fleeting memorable moments

FAVOURITE: Cities LEAST FAVOURITE: Paper

Almost irritating in its brilliance.

wow quite literally amazing…the funkiness and groove throughout the whole album is impeccable. But don’t let the funk fool you theres some darker moments too, with ‘drugs’ and ‘cant memories wait’ - equally as gorgeous with this heavier atmosphere and punchier delivery. One thing I really loved was the lyricism, theres a certain playfulness in David Byrne’s delivery that almost masks the aggressive and dark undertones of the lyrics…it’s so genius AND fun. Standouts for me have to be ‘cities’ ‘minds’ ‘cmw’ and ‘heaven’

I love Talking Heads. I can't fully articulate why, but they just appeal to me on a deep level.

앨범 커버는 느낌 있었지만 전체적으로 평범한 느낌의 앨범이었다. The album cover had a certain vibe, but overall, the album felt ordinary.

I’ll admit that I haven’t listened to a lot of Talking Heads outside of Remain in Light, so I’m happy to see this on here! Great album, such a unique sound, still!

4.5 if I could! I loved this album. Probably better Talking Heads albums out there, but I really had fun listening to this and its humor. I just in general keep forgetting how good the Talking Heads are. Also, MORE ENO! Gosh that guy is EVERYWHERE! I love it.

Great album. Maybe my favorite by them. I know Remain in Light is the usual favorite but I like this better.

🗿🔊

There's like 4 talking heads albums on here, and this one really had nothing special on it. Did this album really need to be included? I certainly don't think so.

Danceable and annoying music. As always, David Byrne's vocals are terrible and overshadow the interesting basslines, synths, and other cool things the instruments are doing. The Talking Heads merely apply the same formula as the B-52s: pair decent music with obnoxious and weird vocals.

Favorite by one of my favorite bands.

Good early album. You can really hear the Talking Heads style developing into what it would become.

Not a favorite of mine

GREAT SONGS: Drugs, Life During Wartime, I Zimbra, Memories Can't Wait, Animals

I find the Talking Heads inherently lame. This hasn’t changed that opinion.

To bolo dobré, taký ten nervný štýl, oni boli jedni z prvých, koho som takto počul hrať. Nie je to na každý deň, hlavne nie na počúvanie s mojou rodinou...

Extremely mid

Really like the rhythm. Quite strange vocals but they fit the nervous sound.

I had known many of these tracks from Stop Making Sense (which is actually my favorite TH record) but I hadn’t listened to this in its entirety until now. It’s fantastic.

🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 Sometimes, I feel like all this list does for me is confirm my biases: gives me either albums I’ve had on my list because I already know I’m going to like them, or shows me albums I haven’t heard of and, after listening, know why I haven’t heard of them. I’ve had a fair few at this point that I did enjoy, but these typically haven’t stayed in the rotation all that long for me. One of the few exceptions to that was Remain in Light, which was essentially my first exposure to Talking Heads outside of the classics. While I still like that one best, Fear of Music is now a close second, which is weird because my star rating is .5 higher than what I gave Remain in Light. That’s because I’ve been so lazy that I didn’t rate Fear of Music until I’d already listened to it three times, and I’m so glad I did. I always hate to admit this, but this one took me three listens to get, and that’s not a chance I afford most albums, which makes me worry I’m missing out on stuff I arbitrarily skip over. In my defense, I knew I liked this one, but it all just sort of blended together the first two times I listened—a whole lotta angular, obtuse rhythms and David Byrne kind of strain-babbling “HUBABABABA! HUBABABABA! UAH! UAH!”—delightfully inimitable, obviously, but mostly diffuse across eleven interchangeable songs. I liked “I Zimbra,” “Cities,” and I guess “Heaven,” but none of the rest felt like they had distinguishable character, though it bothered me for quite some time that I couldn’t articulate why. Actually, maybe it was the botheredness that made me keep coming back to this album, and it’s a good thing I did, because something magically clicked on the third listen—not only did I start to recognize every melody, but they all felt identifiable and distinguishable as characters. All of the ones I felt samey on suddenly transformered (like the robot, clicking and whirring) into really enjoyable grooves. This didn’t even bring down the highs, either—“Heaven” suddenly became this soaring, soaked-in-pathos song like Bowie’s “Heroes.” What was I thinking?? Where has Talking Heads been all my life? 1: Bad | 2: Below Okay, No Desire to Revisit | 3: Good, Conditionally (OR Inconsistent Mix of Qualities) | 4: Great (OR Technically amazing but missing the sauce emotionally) | 5: Amazing

A few high highs, a lot of mid mids

My tolerance for Byrne's shout-singing yawps is lowering with every new Talking Heads album we get but I did like this one more than the last.

Good, not great. Heaven is a banger though and you’ll hear a lot of great covers, but Byrnes’ vocals add to it.

3.5 for me I think. I think when I listen to Talking Heads I am wanting more of their pop friendly jams. I liked a lot of the songs I didn't know. Drugs was weird in the best way. Just not what I was hoping for

Love love love his voice Very interesting and chill album but there weren't any standouts for me

Unreal band. However, although I do like David Byrne generally as a performer, I find the studied dissonance of his vocals starts to grate after a while on this.

Jeden z najlepszych albumów, jakie się tutaj wylosowały

As an introduction to the Talking heads this is a great one. I love how herky jerky the sound is and the main vocals are a huge highlight. There is so much personality in this recording but you can also hear the signature production of Eno in there as well. I really liked it great record. Fav tracks: I zimbra, Mind, Paper, Life during wartime, Memories can’t wait, and Air

Loved watching the Stop Making Sense concert movie, and my interest in their music kinda grew ends there.

Favorite Tracks: - Life During Wartime - Heaven

Talking Heads has been one of my discoveries of this process. Was only aware of a couple of their big singles previously. Of the 4 albums on my list this is probably my least favourite -its the hardest to get into as its got a lot of energy firing all over of the place and rhythmically diverse with no stand out singles. Still enjoyed alot - but not quite a 5.

I don't think their best, but interesting all the same.

I just really fuck with Talking Heads

(re-listen from before 1001albums) love this album david byrne keeps his signature erraticism the first two albums, but the darker production/writing make his delivery on these songs seem more deranged than quirky speaking of production, between all the spacey guitar overdubs, whatever echoey effect byrne's vocals are put through, the whole album has this otherworldly vibe to it, which while not necessarily the perfect fit for EVERY song (particularly life during wartime and heaven, not sure whether its a coincidence that these are probably the biggest two songs off the album lol, still great songs tho), amazingly suits the bulk of the tracklist favourite song: cities least favourite song: none

I feel like this album lives in the shadow of Stop Making Sense.

Talking Heads🙏

Cool sound to the album without being spectacular

quite obscure, which makes sense, but this one was particularly so. Can't say I loved it, but definitely enjoyed giving it a try. Faves: Heaven, Paper, Cities, Mind Rating: 7.3

David Byrn is music

a good day is made better starting it with an album by the Talking Heads. Several of their albums could be on this list and this one certainly makes the cut in my opinion. Love the haunting vocals of David Byrne. Would love to hear a duet with him and Annie Lennox. :)

Every time I listen to those early Talking Heads albums, I get the impression I'm hearing the voices of someone with psychiatric issues. I love it!

It’s funny, I know most of these songs from the “stop making sense live” album, these seem a little sad from studio, but I still sand along - Saw David Byrne live this year🙌 2026

Great album

I like the instrumentals, lots fun ideas and quite a spooky atmosphere but the vocals are quite a bit annoying on this one. Worth a listen for the former but the latter makes it challenging to fully enjoy.

Alright whatever brand talking heads is. Wasn't familiar with any of the songs, and none were quite as catchy as the ones I do know, but it was a good listen

Jag får allergiska utslag när det blir Tomas Gylling (Tropicopop). Den typen av pop med inslag av nåt generiskt afrikanskt, det kan vara Paul Simon eller Vampire Weekend eller Talking Heads. Tål det inte. Dessbättre är inte hela skivan sådan. Men det mesta låter som en Ullaredsvariant av Bowies Scary Monsters (and super creeps) och Gyllingtendenserna ligger där och lurar lömskt i närheten, det gäller att se upp. Den rena punkfunken i "Cities“ är riktigt bra, "Life during wartime" är en bra låt. Sen har vi då "Heaven" som skiljer ut sig rejält från resten av skivan och är helt outstanding. Di Leva har gjort en svenskspråkig cover på den (Himlen) som faktiskt lyckas vara ännu bättre, rekommenderas starkt. Med himmelsk hjälp kämpar den till sig en tvåa

Jag gillar TH när melodierna får sträcka ut sig lite som i Heaven, Mind och Air. Där är Bowies Berlinskivor inte är långt borta i jämförelse. Däremot är jag inte lika övertygad av de mer flippriga artrock-låtarna, där rytm och melodi slaktas upp i beståndsdelar. Exempelvis Paper, Animal och I Zimbra. Men på totalen en rätt stark trea.

Tydliga referenser till Bowie. Kanske inte så konstigt med Eno som den gemensamma nämnaren. Heaven är ett riktigt guldkorn. Annars låter det rätt kantigt, men trots detta relativt medryckande. Tror att dagsformen spelar stor roll. Vissa dagar ett album som är kul att lyssna på. Andra dagar orkar man max ett par låtar innan man vill stänga av.

Tycker det låter rätt bra. Påminner ibland om Bowies Lodger. Jobbet är i vägen för en rättvis recension.

The instrumentals are gorgeous with this one, 'Air' is the song that got me. The cover art is fresh for 1979, I thought it would have been from the 90s.

it's not that i dislike david byrne, because i don't, but i do think this album is a full star higher if you take out his vocals. i mean those instrumentals are gorgeous. also i love brian eno so i don't know if i'm being "fully objective" here, although that is pretty meaningless when it comes to rating stuff. idk. it's good, but it isn't my favorite talking heads album (although it may have been if it had been instrumental, idk)

Incredible stuff. Put this on during a walk and it turned from a trip around the block into a 4 mile odyssey through downtown Lexington. I even got to see a man frantically attempting to dig through concrete with a kitchen utensil while I listened to Heaven. It was an experience out of some Lynchian nightmare.

Cool music

Me gustó mucho

I love this album. Air is one of those songs I have hard time hearing just once, fortunately it kicks off side B so it's easy to restart. I believe this to be the finest album made by the Talking Heads. Every last track slaps. Animals is amazing.

Solid. Some hits

That's a lot of bass.

That bassline by Tina Weymouth on Cities sounds so fun to play. There's the groove she needs to hit but there all these little one or two note interludes mixed in that seem off the cuff. It's a perfect song and the rest is solid Talking Heads 4/5

Fantastic album, LDW gotta be one of the all time Talking Heads tracks, the stop making sense version being on of the best live tracks of all time. Weird, wonderful and groovy, its the Talking Heads. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: Life During Wartime / Air

The talking heads are awesome. They make weird groovy songs that just work. This isn’t a 5 as the last few tracks weren’t too great to me.

Massive album, so exciting when I first heard it (full of sounds I hadn't heard before), still works now. Quite incredible, as in hard to credit, like, MSABAF was a fantastic and special album, but how did they get to here from there in just one year? (Eno was involved, but he was involved in MSABAF too ...) Six songs I think are fantastic, the other five on the original album are just 'good' (catchy, fine to dance to etc, but not superlative). My faves I Zimbra (huge opener) and Drugs (huge closer, with sounds that many 'psychedelic' bands would have loved to achieve). Extra love for two songs because of great covers: Memories Can't Wait (Living Colour) and Heaven (Tropical Fuck Storm, amongst others). I'll rate the album 9/10, Pretty Wonderful.

No me gustan los Talking Heads. Puedo reconocer que tienen una estética particular, propia de su época.

Meh. New wave. Bleh.

Better than Coldplay

It’s not as good. But I don’t mind it

This is ok. But doesn’t make your head spin.

This is a bit different to the previous two Talking Heads albums (both of which I’ve had on this list), but my overall evaluation is pretty similar. There are some great tracks here and is probably at its best in the middle with Cities and Life During Wartime. Overall though, it again falls just short of 5, partly down to its more experimental nature. Tracks by the end didn’t quite land for me, though I appreciate the effort to expand their early sound.

Perhaps Talking Heads' most out-there releases and one of their best. Many of the tracks are more experimental than on previous releases but continue to be executed within the format of 3-4 minute songs. Most of all, there's a lot of variety, from the infectious groove of 'Life During Wartime' to the somewhat ethereal beauty of a track like 'Heaven'.

The third Talking Heads album, and yet another that’s very good but not quite good enough for the full 5 stars. This record sees their collaboration with producer Brian Eno and exploration of unusual (but catchy!) rhythms/grooves continue, and quality-wise, it’s pretty much on a par with their previous albums. If forced, however, I might actually rank it slightly below them. There are some fantastic tracks here (especially ‘I Zimbra’, ‘Cities’, ‘Life During Wartime’ and ‘Heaven’) but I’m not massively keen on the final three tracks, which do unfortunately drag my rating down. Still, it’s a strong 4 stars.

- favorite tracks: I Zimbra, Memories Can’t Wait (my moms fav), Air - pretty typical talking heads sound obv since this is the album with life during wartime (also above tracks are fav BESIDES ldw duhh) - nothing to write home about

Говорящие бошечки! Ну наконец-то. В прошлый раз, слушая дебютный 77' и теперь слушая Fear of Music - я подметил интересную особенность. Пусть в Fear of Music и нет бенгера уровня Psycho Killer, но зато остальная часть альбома ощущается более собранной. Ощущается рост, и главное, что здесь Бирн и группа уже гораздо больше понимают что они такое и в каком направлении они двигаются, от чего их песни не ощущаются как как "проба пера". Готов поставить 4, хотя бы за то, что дали мне передышку от плеяды унылой музыки до этого

something i just couldn't really click with here

Quirky music for the 70s white boy. Not bad though.

It was fine.

This album was patchy for me, I liked several songs, but then others was that weird pretenious experimental garbage of the late 70s/early 80s I find hard to listen to or enjoy. I do appreciate that this album has a strong point of view.

I enjoyed this somewhat.. it's a funky and groovy post punk/ disco type of sound I guess. The writing is a bit scattergun and maybe it'd take a few listens to properly appreciate

Something of a warm-up or stalking horse for Remain in Light. As with pretty much every Heads album, it overstays its welcome.

Two Talking Heads records in four albums. Alright. First song is disco? Wait a minute. This was in No Way Home. Cool. This is another vibey, kinda psychedelic, kinda punk, mostly new wavey album that isn't really hitting for me. I can appreciate the musicianship, but I don't love Byrne's vocalizations. The rhythms/beats of this album are all over the place (in a good way.) Like I said on the last Talking Heads album I got, I wholly understand this being someone's favorite band. It's just not for me.

Amazing surprise.

As they say on 'Memories Can't Wait': 'It isn't what you hoped for is it?' I do think the album is significantly better than the Franz Ferdinand album, maybe its because its more tame on the guitar riffs, and the song-writing and subject matter is WAY more diverse than just repeating a refrain for half a song, so there's that. I'm just not a fan of the vocals in sorrrrrry Best: Life During Wartime Worst: Animals

Had two talking heads albums and have to say I’ve been a bit underwhelmed considering their standing within the music community. Some great moments as I saw with ‘77 but a fair few forgettable tracks too. Maybe I need to wait to get Remain in Light

Trop cool, trop stylé, à réécouter plein de fois

Good stuff just not amazing

Well, it's definitely a Talking Heads album...

...news. None of the Talking Heads heavy hitters on there, but it does flow very nicely as an album, and Heaven is really really good

I love this. None of their main hits but its weird and great, and sounds like it could have been recorded today

First Talking Heads album I've listened to the whole way through and this was a really damn good experience. This album takes the funk-inspired New Wave sound that was beginning to take shape during the late 70s and mixes it with a dissonant atmospheric edge that makes this an incredibly mind bending experience. Songs like "Cities" can have vocalist David Byrne belt out lyrics about disillusionment in a strained, panicked delivery over tops this lively, danceable instrumental section and it still sounds great, this dichotomy really immerses me into the paranoia of this world the band depicts. Of course, this is also thanks to producer Brian Eno, who makes what could be very directionless songs hit with an incredible punch, every song sounds very modern and digital yet so alive as well. The lyrics on this record are some of my favorite, as it describes paranoia from the mundane and satirical ("Animals" and "Cities") to more cerebral and conceptual cuts that really make you feel as if the walls are closing in on you ("Memories Can't Wait", "Heaven", "Life During Wartime"). Closing track "Drugs" is easily the best song on the album for me, as Byrne sounds absolutely manic portraying a drug addict during a bad trip that seems to go on for eternity, despite his self-reassurances that "It'll be over in a minute or two". The instrumentation on this song is especially haunting, as synths and guitars create this sonic atmosphere that is absolutely crushing and ethereal, adding to the confusion that one would feel in this wide awake nightmare. That said, the one song I really didn't care for on this album was the penultimate "Electric Guitar". While I definitely the get the satire in the Satanic panic of how electric guitars corrupt the brain of anyone listening, the song just falls flat for me as it doesn't feel as complete of a package as the rest of the material on here. The instrumentation is fairly plain, with a weird psuedo-brassy synth lead throughout that just ends up feeling annoying and out of place. Still, the rest of the material on here is so high quality that this one fluke really doesn't affect my love of this project overall too much.

I'm not the biggest fan of Talking Heads, but I do enjoy them. David Byrne's voice can be off-putting at times, but I always enjoy the instrumentation. They are innovative and draw influences from seemingly everywhere. "I Zimbra" is my favorite track on this album precisely because of how unique it sounds. Unfortunately, at least in this case, the rest of the album really doesn't do anything for me. It makes for good background music, but nothing really grabs my attention.

Bra men gjorde inget större intryck

Yeah, pretty cool. The vocals are a bit hit and miss for me, but overall, pretty good.

Wasn’t my favorite cup of tea, but it was nice to finally listen to their music! Found it to be a lot of talking, with the choruses being more sung,

#86 Talking Heads are one of those bands that I have trouble getting into. I like a few of their hits, but when I dig deeper I end up not really caring for their sound. My experience with this album was more of the same. There are lots of crazy rhythms, a few fun tracks, and the bass player is amazing. I didn't hate it, but a few of these songs were total duds (Paper, Animals, Electric Guitar, Drugs). Highlights: Life During Wartime, Heaven

Listened before? No Familiar with the artist? Yes Thoughts: - My first album of the project was Talking Heads '77, and I easily rated it a 5. Even though it's only been a month and a half I took the opportunity to go back and relisten in comparison to this album. I definitely stand by the 5 there - glad to see I wasn't just way too generous starting out 😅 - This album isn't quite up to the level of that first one, but I still had a great time. I think I said before that Talking Heads is exactly my kind of weird :) Favorite track(s): Mind; Life During Wartime

I like the Talking Heads but takes a while to tune in. This album is fine with diverse songs. Brynes voice is great.

have heard very little talking heads! exciting I Zimbra is fun as hell. did not expect the lyrics would be nonsense i think i've heard of Life Under Wartime and i really like the bassline and... horns? on this really love Memories Can't Wait and its sort of weird droning, driving vibe. might be my favorite in a weird way i cannot explain what i mean by this: i want to dislike Heaven, but i can't i keep wanting to describe a bunch of these tracks as 'fun' but like. they are. there's just a kind of playful, experimental energy to this that's really fun to listen to; a lot of funky beats, lots of 'swerves', david byrne's vocal style. i don't even really think 'experimental' is the right word because that suggests music much less 'catchy' than this, but i'm not really sure how else to describe what i'm getting at. the wikipedia article says they wanted to use disco rhythms and yeah, i absolutely hear that. i think it stumbles a little on the last few tracks but i thoroughly enjoyed it i feel silly for never having listened to this and only knowing talking heads as 'oh yeah the Psycho Killer guys'. i'm sorry mr. byrne i was not familiar with your game

As is often the case the extra tracks in the deluxe version on Spotify only detract from what is a great album, funky, edgy with suggestions of some afro-beat that Malcolm McLaren would later popularise in Double Dutch and in Heaven they almost have a ballad, TH are starting to hit their stride with this album. 4.2 You can hear loads of

I don't think this is as good as some other TH releases. Fine but not near their best for me.

I grew up thinking this was the weakest of the Talking Head albums, and I'm happy to say that change and growth is possible in anyone because the younger me is an idiot! Tense, darker, claustrophobic, and heavier thematically than their previous albums, this is a great insight into a band, and a decade, that realised that not everything was as peachy as people thought. This was an excellent relisten, and I'm happy to give it my five. Fave track: Life During Wartime

I almost get it

You honestly wouldn't believe this this is from the 70s, would you? It's a testamane to the perseverence of this sound to think just how modern it seems. The rapid poetry of these tracks and the absurd semi-nonsense of some of the lyrics are so fasconating.

Brilliant. Just brilliant

Pues no creo que B Eno les haya hecho bien en este primer disco juntos. La mejores son las que compone él. Se siente venir My Life in the bush of ghosts

Solid album

Bought this when I was 18 player it to death. Love every Song. We are all of our time.

Ok, some of these songs are funky in a booty shaking way and I love it. David Byrne is a genius and I love that everything he touches is straight up weird and wonderful.

I feel like there's something I'm missing with Talking Heads. It feels like something that wouldn't have existed without Bowie. However, I still really enjoyed a couple of the tracks and didn't mind the rest, so fair play to them. Heaven particularly, very Neil Young vs David Bowie.

anxious upbeat haha hehe go go go - this was a fun way to start the week, and exactly the kind of music i would picture a band called the "talking heads" to make

When a TH album comes up I dread the listen for some reason but once into the album i’m having fun.

One of their best

Okay, I think the random generator is bullying me into enjoying Talking Heads. This was good.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ - A four star classic, thank you RGP. Tom.

Two songs in. Nope

Did not care for it.

Reminds me of Jack Stauber. It’s a good album as a creative exploration thing, and has a fun freakiness to it. But also like Stauber, I listen to it once, think “oh that’s interesting” and then have no interest in listening to it again 3 1/2 stars

Not my vibe... I would describe this one as annoying.

Maybe my favorite opener on any Talking Heads album. The bongos and indiscernible lyrics are just so fun! Overall such a playful album as a whole, just makes me feel good. I've got the image of David Byrne dancing to Life During Wartime seared into my mind and it makes me want to dance anytime I hear it. Those staccato snares punctuating the end of every four bars is my shiiiit!

Saw this pop up this morning and I’ll be honest my first reaction was that I was just too tired and sad today to be up for more Talking Heads. But then I listened to it and it didn’t require any effort from me at all! It was just fun and silly and made me smile, David Byrne is being such a goofball on this one, adorable. Second act montage needle drop in my biopic: “Cities”

I liked this album better than the last talking heads album. Frenetic, ethereal, and a little more approachable. Head, Heaven, Air and Life during wartime were all bangers for me!

I will admit that I underestimated this album but in Stop Making Sense David Byrne’s dance moves and big suit endeared me to him I love that little man he’s a strange critter. They really have an artistic vision and it comes together beautifully

I wake up like I do every day to another day in my boring life, I get up and gaze upon my visage in the mirror at my darm brown hair and almond shaped eyes brown eyes that sparkle in the sun or they would if anyone ever looked that close but no one even knows I'm fucking alive at my poser high school. I tromp down the stairs to my mom in the kitchen, drunk as usual! I roll my eyes with my long dark eyelashes and start to walk by but she stops me with her witch fingers and it's only then that I notice the group of brightly dressed tall people crammed in the dorway. "I've sold you to the talking heads so that I can have more money for dry vermouth!" I SCREAM and fall to the ground. David byrne saunters over, almost ripping the doorframe to shreds with his big fucking suit and puts his hand on my shoulder, he looks into my eyes and I feel like for the first time in maybe ever someone is seeing me. He opens his mouth. Dolphin sounds come out. I sigh and reach into my back pocket where I keep my farmers market organic carrots and gently feed him from my open palm. Anyways if I'm being real I wasnt thrilled at first to see another talking heads album and one I had never heard of but you know what I love David byrne and his voice I liked it when he said nyeeehn mmmmmyemmmmm. Four outta five just because I think there are better head albums. Lez out score 4/5

banger city i do think it’s more listenable than remain in light, songwriting is more linear but still has the hypnotic repetitive groove sequences. joe and i busting a mf move here at the frame shop today gonna try to talk tess and han into watching stop making sense tonight after band practice wish me luck drugs won’t change you religion won’t change you 🙂‍↕️ greek yogurt & granola

I’m a Heads stan. I like their weird and boundary-expanding music. And any album with “Life During Wartime” on it is an automatic 4. Some of the tracks, especially towards the end, feel underdeveloped though. Still, I enjoy this CBGB-era version of the legendary band.

AHAHAHA SO GOOD

Fear Of Music Talking Heads 1979 Genres: Rock Styles: Post Punk, New Wave, Art Rock 1. I Zimbra (★★★★☆) -Context: Una pieza de poesía dadaísta convertida en música. La letra está basada en un poema de Hugo Ball y utiliza palabras inventadas, por lo que no cuenta una historia convencional. Funciona como una ruptura con el lenguaje racional y como una celebración del ritmo, la percusión y el sonido por sí mismo. 2. Mind (★★★★☆) -Contexto: Una exploración de la mente y de la dificultad de cambiar o comprender a otra persona. Byrne repite la idea de que el tiempo, el dinero, las drogas o la religión no necesariamente pueden transformar a alguien, mientras expresa desconcierto ante una realidad que parece inestable. 3. Paper (★★★★☆) -Contexto: Toma el papel como objeto cotidiano y lo convierte en una metáfora de una relación amorosa y de la fragilidad de las cosas. Algo aparentemente insignificante puede adquirir un enorme valor emocional, y la canción juega con esa contradicción entre lo material y lo afectivo. 4. Cities (★★★⯨☆) -Contexto: Una búsqueda casi obsesiva de la ciudad ideal en la que vivir. Byrne enumera características que quisiera encontrar en una ciudad y refleja la fascinación por la vida urbana, pero también su ansiedad, impersonalidad y contradicciones. 5. Life During Wartime (★★★★☆) -Contexto: Presenta a un habitante de una ciudad que vive en medio de una situación de guerra o insurrección. Ya no hay normalidad: desaparecen las fiestas, escasean los recursos y circulan rumores sobre armas, muertos y grupos clandestinos. Lo inquietante es que el protagonista habla de esta situación con una mezcla de urgencia y normalidad, como alguien que se está acostumbrando al desastre. 6. Memories Can't Wait (★★★★★) -Contexto: Trata sobre recuerdos que permanecen activos y no permiten escapar del pasado. El protagonista parece atrapado dentro de su propia memoria, con imágenes y experiencias que continúan regresando aunque quiera dejarlas atrás. La canción convierte el recuerdo en una presencia casi física. -Fav 7. Air (★★★★☆) -Contexto: Una canción sobre sentirse amenazado por algo tan básico como el aire que respiramos. Byrne quería transmitir la sensación de una persona tan deprimida que incluso respirar puede resultar doloroso. La atmósfera se convierte así en algo hostil: aquello que necesitamos para vivir también puede sentirse como una fuente de sufrimiento. 8. Heaven (★★★★★) -Contexto: Imagina el cielo como un lugar donde todo es perfecto, pero precisamente por eso nada cambia. Las personas repiten eternamente las mismas acciones y experiencias. La canción plantea una paradoja existencial: si no existe ningún conflicto, sorpresa ni posibilidad de cambio, la perfección puede convertirse en aburrimiento y perder su significado. -Fav 9. Animals (★★★⯨☆) -Contexto: Observa a los animales desde una perspectiva casi absurda y desconcertada. Byrne se pregunta por qué se comportan como lo hacen y por qué no responden a las expectativas humanas. Lo cotidiano se vuelve extraño cuando se intenta comprender la conducta animal desde la lógica humana. 10. Electric Guitar (★★★⯨☆) -Contexto: Convierte a la propia guitarra eléctrica en un objeto extraño y potencialmente amenazante. Hay una relación simultánea de fascinación y rechazo hacia la música y el instrumento. La canción juega irónicamente con la idea central del álbum: tener miedo precisamente de aquello que produce la música. 11. Drugs (★★★★★) -Contexto: El cierre más oscuro del álbum. Evoca una experiencia de percepción alterada en la que resulta difícil distinguir qué es real y qué no. La canción crea una atmósfera hipnótica y paranoica, como si el protagonista hubiera perdido el control sobre su propia percepción. Termina llevando el miedo del mundo exterior hacia el interior de la propia mente. -Fav -TOTAL = ★★★★⯨ (4,14)

I don't like Talking Heads. Their music is funky but not actually good. Super alt

Sónida de fondo para Asilo.

1.5/5 I don't really see what people dig about this band. Maybe If I was alive when this came out id probably like it more but it's very average and I nearly fell asleep while listening to it.

i love talking heads. Once again like many of the albums on this list, there are much better albums by these artists. but i still enjoyed this one

Pretty good I thought I was gonna like it more but I feel like this was their weirder side. Vocalist is so unique tho so that’s cool

Meh. I sort of liked the whimsical singing, but the song just weren't really anything special.

A very good talking heads album that is at times a bit too avant garde for me. But the highs outweigh the lows by a wide margin. Lots of fun to listen to throughout and fun to dance to

meh the heads can stop talking on this album

Should be 5* just for Heaven alone, but not quite in the proper big leagues. Enjoyed revisiting.

I do enjoy Talking Heads however this album didn’t really grab me. Some songs were good and overall I could see the progression of their sound, but I like the slightly more unhinged sound from their second album.

Понравилось меньше чем Remain in Light. Есть пара-тройка неплохих песен, не более.

I’d never heard this album before, although a few of the songs I have encountered. Cities is by far my favorite, although the whole thing has a cool, timelessness to it.

Not interesting

Being a big fan of the synth wave this is a very good album. My only hold up is that I'm a big fan of "Speaking in tongues" and listening to "Fear of Music" for the first time after listening to "Speaking in Tongues" for years distorts "FoM" for me. "Speaking in Tongues" is present throughout this record which made it harder to dive into this album. This is seen through songs like "Life During Wartime" which is just "Making Flippy Floppy" with different shades. Though on reflection, as "FoM" was released first my perception should be flipped. However, being objective "Fear of Music" is a very good album and has some great songs. I loved "I Zimbra", "Mind" and particularly "Heaven". All three express different styles of a talking heads album: "I Zimbra" gives the energy, "Mind" more chilled pace, "Heaven" provides the melancholy. These songs provide examples of what I look for in an album: a concise style but with tangenting themes; 3.75.

I think I'm burning out on Talking Heads. Still interesting. 3/5

Love that they just do their own thing

Again, just not my thing.

piolnaga, auto

Probably my third favorite TH album but at least the best of their 70s albums. This relisten was long overdue for me. Favorite track: Mind

yeaahh i been lookin forward to more talking heads. i like this one more than more songs about buildings and food, but somehow i don't feel like i have a huge amount to say about it that i didn't also say about that album. although, its always worth restating how much i like david byrne's vocals cos he sounds terrified for a lot of this album and its awesome. anyway i think this one is a lot stronger in the second half, or at least, that's where all the tracks that stood out most to me are. "electric guitar" is my favourite overall i think, with its forceful rhythm and repetitive lyrics giving it an unsettling vibe that i fuck with, but "memories can't wait", "heaven" and "drugs" are all great too. i think the scary violin-like wailing (i'm assuming it's a synth?) in the background of the former and latter of those three is what gets me about em, not that other tracks don't have similarly good sound design stuff going on but that just kinda pushes it into "fuck yeah" territory for me i guess? and "heaven" is.... just a chill vibe. its nice! it still didn't grab me enough overall for a 5 but like. i had this on loop for a bit so it's at least a 4. im once again lookin foward to more weird and scary music from these guys coming up on the list....

I really really tried, but boy no. Cannot and will never get into this band. His voice is just like fingernails on a chalkboard.

I mean whatever. I don’t know. I’m just giving this to stars cause it’s got good energy. I just personally don’t like it.

I don’t know many Talking Heads songs. I do know a few hits but as I listened to this I understand why they are popular. They have a formula. They music never strays too far from that formula and it sounds good. I enjoyed this. And I’m glad I heard it.

grooooovy :D (austin powers voice)

1) Life During Wartime 2) Drugs 3) Animals Least Favourite: Paper

Getting a bit fed up of talking heads albums. Great bass playing but overall quite repetitive.

Wasn't feeling this despite feeling the energy in general.

Some compelling vocals but I don't know if I'll return to this album

Hmm. Not my fave.

This is one of the few talking heads albums I never got around to getting through entirely. I really enjoyed the songs I liked that I had heard previously but this album despite still being a 4 star album was a bit disappointing.

I’m not necessarily against the Talking Heads’ music, but I don’t really enjoy listening to this album. Two stars…

All the bops are in the first half of the album. But I hadn't revisited this one in a while and enjoyed what I enjoyed.

8 keepers of 11 (73%). 2 bangers (18%). Starts strong, kind of ends on a whimper. Certainly not just a collection of songs. 4 stars.

I will start with saying I think Talking Heads are one of the best of all time, but this is not my favorite album. I do like the dark tone of this one and I here a lot of Pink Floyd influence in some of these songs. Eno's work and sound here really add to their sound as well. I think there are three of there greatest songs on this album and then some cool weird dark deep cuts to dig into and enjoy.

Quelques musiques sympas, j’ai aimé !

surpsingly salvagable? liked 1-2 songs. lowkey forgot it was on while doing smth else, realized it was done, and was like wtv

great first half — less great second half

Os mano sabe mto oq faz, eh os guri n tem jeito

A very Talking Heads-y album. The last two tracks were kind of awful, but the rest was good.

One of my top 5 albums. Ever!

David Byrne is, in my opinion, pretty annoying and widely overrated. Rest of the band has some solid grooves though, but I still can't get past the annoying vocals and Byrne's off-putting personality.

Second listen. I enjoy this. I love the deadpan and sarcasm. Likely a rotation album.

This is not my beautiful wife. It’s a great stream of consciousness.

For me this is the weakest Talking Heads album on the list but weak Talking Heads is still pretty good music and Life During Wartime slaps.

This album is really an experience, and a very enjoyable one too. I am in love with some sounds in here, some songs are great, and there is a very surreal aura throughout the record, even phantasmagoric at moments. It is also a very funky album, with some great taste at certain arrangements and the way repetitive elements do not become overwhelming; instead, they really help build the songs and make them feel that dreamy and even futuristic at times. There is also a very nice touch at creating textures and atmospheres in this album, which becomes even a psychedelic at many moments. It is surely a pretty unique and wonderful album. So so interesting and enjoyable at the same time.

Una piedra angular del post-punk y la new wave de vanguardia que ha envejecido bien gracias a su vibrante inteligencia rítmica. En el plano de diseño formal, la producción de Brian Eno junto a la banda es impecable: la interacción entre bajos sincopados, guitarras filosas y percusiones de influencia africana configura un entretejido que da claridad a la complejidad polirrítmica, permitiendo que la tensión sónica respire con notable nitidez. La interpretación vocal de David Byrne y la cohesión del grupo despliegan una fuerza y calidez neurótica que transmiten autenticidad pura, consolidando su autoridad superior dentro de la escena alternativa neoyorquina. Experimentos hipnóticos como la tribal "I Zimbra", la agilidad urbana de "Cities" y la ironía melancólica de "Heaven" dan forma a un documento conmovedor, crudo y real que opera como un sutil llamado a la conciencia sobre la alienación, los miedos cotidianos y el aislamiento moderno. Un trabajo cuya cadencia bailable y constante sensación de paz y fluidez lo vuelven un catalizador idóneo para múltiples usos, destacando como un motor fantástico para acompañar el ejercicio, la conducción o dinamizar el trabajo creativo.

more of a post-punk, new wave sound than their later records.

On this third album Talking Heads found their true voice and stept out of the New York new wave club scene to find their own unique form of music, dance and art. Guided by producer Brian Eno they created an polyrythmic sound to carry David Byrne's highly original lyrics. This is one of my favorite Talking Heads albums with more greatnes to come. Favorite tracks: I Zimbra, Cities, Heaven, Life during wartime, Memories can't wait and Drugs

Too “talking heads” for me.

Five Star All The Way. The album that Talking Heads really found their groove on, and captured the world's attention on.

Beginning of the album was better than the end. The highs were high and the lows were still better than average. This list has brought us a few similar albums, and this finally felt like what I wanted to get out of this time period and genre.

I really appreciate the Talking Head's ability to foster a distinctive sound while still being catchy. My only complaint about this album is that it was repetitive at times and would have benefited from having a couple of the weaker tracks shaved off.

Exactly what I expected to receive from a Talking Heads album

talking heads might be good...

It’s ok. Another talking heads. Another 3 stars on this list.

Musical genius

I like I zimbra Mind is also good 4 star album. Fun vibes

Oh fuck yes! I dont know this one. Enthralled per usual.

Talking Heads can make anxiety sound like a party.

Fun bass lines and some interesting musical passages, but overall I did not get the vibe. The album for me was just fine. Nothing too memorable for me.

Overall Rating - 3.36/5 (6.73/10). This is definitely Talking Heads. Very recognizable sound, even if this is fairly early in their career.

This is a transition album in the Talking Heads discography. It’s a little strange. It’s on the list because the albums before and after this album are arguably masterpieces. But I think this has some of their best ideas in terms of writing a number of songs that are absolute classics.

Meh. Hard for me to get very excited about Talking Heads. I do appreciate their uniqueness and ambition, though. Low-4.

I guess I'm just not much of a Talking Heads. This, too, like the last two, was a fine album. But not that fine.

I can tolerate a lot of Talking Heads. This one is not high on my list of favs, but still has a handful of great songs. I left this as a 4 despite Animals which was incredibly annoying to me. It would be in the top 5 annoying Talking Heads songs for sure.

Pretty decent. As with much of their work, there are a bunch of songs with good grooves that get kinda old after a while, but two or three great ones (Wartime and Memories in particular here) to elevate it.

4/5 - Weird and wonderful dance-punk. Talking Heads albums grow on me because there's always something new to find. They're like that person you meet who comes on really strong and off-putting with too much energy, and then you sit down and talk and listen to what they have to say, and you realize they just never figured out how to approach people, but there's some seriously cool shit in their head.

Jittery and paranoid with mostly excellent songs and lyrics. One or two tracks that aren’t quite at the level of the rest

Expected more from this really. Talking Heads are great, but this album is fairly tame for them. Nothing really stood out for me. Enjoyable, but nothing exciting.

I don’t like the sound of his voice but the instrumental parts are nice

C'est bon. Juste avant que ça devienne vraiment bon. 3.49 étoiles

Maybe controversial opinion: This is the best Talking Heads record.

Experimental rhythms are entrancing and easy to get lost in, yet this is otherwise a largely immemorable album.

This is fantastic. I loved this album. I had never listened to a complete Talking Heads' album but this was great. I only knew a handful of songs, and I actually attended a gig by David Byrne a few weeks ago (which was great). This album exceeded my expectations (and those were already very high). The lyrics are great, imaginative, different. The vocals are also great. The music is extremely interesting (I guess Brian Eno, whose work with Bowie I love, may have helped). Loved the bass and guitar work. Overall, a 5 star album. I enjoyed all songs, but I can probably indicate some of the highlights: "I Zimbra", "Paper", "Memories Can't Wait", "Life During Wartime", "Air", "Heaven", "Electric Guitar", or "Drugs".

You know how sometimes you’ll read about a film or a book that people describe as world changing and you watch it/read it and afterwards you’re like have I missed something here? I’m like that with this album, it’s clearly good. Like a disco in a dystopian future it grooves but it unsettles but it’s too much vibe and not enough song for me. Another listen may help, but we are where we are now

aceptable.

Paranoico, Actor, Intrigante y sumamente expermiental. Aunque en los próximos álbumes posteriores tienen un concepto y sonido más definido, no cabe duda que algo distinto querían traer a la escena de la época.

Loved Life in Wartime. The album itself is a bit repetitive - the tracks I liked stood out.

mostly good songs. One of my favorite bands.

Yaaaaas. I’ve been wanting to check out Talking Heads. Only know two of their songs. Oh. Okay. Well, maybe I’ll like their other albums better. Not exactly my cup of tea. I started vibing with some songs a bit more the second time around but then I gave up. Maybe later down the line I will revisit. They’re definitely a vibe. But this album wasn’t my vibe.

just entered my list of dancing albums <3 they re also so specific, which is something i value a lot

I listened to the original release (11 tracks). Typical goofy Talking Heads topics with typical Talking Heads music. “Life During Wartime” is one of my favorites, although the rest of the album is average.

The album cover looks like a tire, but apparently it is a floor. My subconscious's album is called Fear of Flat Tire. Some more nonsense lyrics here on 'I Zimbra'; what a thematic week we've had. But those lyrics are from a (bad, imo) poem, so although they might be nonsense, they aren't mysterious. Good lyrics on the rest of the tracks. 'Cities' would make for a good college decision theme song. 'Air' would make a good everyday theme song. 2nd iteration of 'Heaven' on this list, following Simply Red's cover. (The OG is better.) It would make a bad "The Good Place" theme song. This album feels funk-adjacent at points. I most like the points where it isn't. Words to live by: "Never listen to electric guitar" :)

It’s … ok. I don’t think I like them as much as I thought I did.

Yes! I am afraid of music! Yeah, another hard rating. 4 or 5? I actually really like this album for what it is - pretty frenetic. But the older, more controlled, wild and crazy guy David Byrne is the one I grew up with. And I really did grow up with him in a way. My mom bought the video tape of Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense film. The year my parents divorced we watched it ALL the time on the weekends she had us. So… yeah. 4 Boolean: True

Instant Awesome

Have I listened to this album before No How familiar am I with this album A little How do I feel about this artist? I really like them overall Pre-Listen Thoughts: Another Talking Heads album where I somehow only know one song. I'm sure it will be good. Favorite track(s): Life During Wartime, Electric Guitar Post-Listen Thoughts: I think overall I still like the hits from the Talking Heads more than the deep tracks. Always a good listen though.

So Jim hates disco, but loves the Talking Heads. This is, fundamentally, a disco album. Ergo, Jim loves disco.

I feel like this is the wrong talking heads album. The debut album and speaking in tongues are way better.

Fun record

2.8 stars, three songs I liked of the bunch. Not at all a bad listen, just kind of boring.

Four talking heads albums on this site, had never heard this one before, really liked it. "Find yourself a city to live in", Took decades, but I did just that. Madison WI ✔️4 stars

Not my top album of theirs, but definitely still a fantastic listen.

super rockero, pura sangre ! El primero que me lo quedo para la audioteca

Unfortunate to listen to this right after Fela Kuti - feels like a pale imitation. But still very good - I Zimbra and Animals especially. Definitely not my favorite talking heads album though - no song is all that incredible.

Ok, didn't love it. Lot of subvocal moaning that was a tad distracting.

An okay album, I liked Heaven the most.

7/10 - This might be a product of me having too high of expectations going into an album. It’s a good album and maybe if the musician wasn’t Talking Heads I would have been higher on it. They might be a victim of their own success on this review.

The start of the album is really strong but the last 3 kind of tail off for me. You can hear their sound really changing on this album and going in a more afro-beat direction which they'll do even better on future albums. 8/10

Rhythm monster of an album.

Bell’album, non il migliore ma comunque sinbolo della new wave

A really good talking heads album! Experimental, yet with some really catchy songs.

Lovely, fun, fantastic album

kind of anxiety inducing!! “Animals” and “Cities” in particular. “Heaven” is such a gem

I still and forever have just so much admiration for Tina Weymouth

I can respect it but I don't have the time to dig into it lyrically which I believe is where the good stuff may be in this.

Pretty solid, great hits, second half drags a little - on the higher side of 3 but lower side of 4

Pretty solid album, not my favorite of all time but Talking Heads are a unique listen every time

I haven't listened to this album in its entirety yet. It is very good. I had heard a handful of the songs before on the live Talking Heads vinyl I have, and I don't know if it's because I am already familiar, but I think I like the live versions better. Regardless, this album has a great experimental and funky feel and deserves more listens.

Pop music for boys.

I didn’t recognize any of these songs, but still pretty good. I don’t like all their albums equally but I am growing to like their sound.

Love Talking Heads but had never listened to this album in full before. Really loved it plus it has one of my favourite Talking Heads songs of all time on it (Heaven)

Heaven might be my favourite Talking Heads song

Perfectly functional talking heads. Still a strong album but not their best.

Quite enjoyed this but it is very similar to the other TH albums on this list. Still worth a re-listen. Heaven is a good track.

Странный рок. Напоминает наших Звуки Му

Byrnes vocals are such a compliment to the quirky music

I can't stand the Talking Heads...

I absolutely love 80s new wave especially talking heads the might be one of my favorite band of all time and this album is easily on my favorite album of all time list too Magnificent songwriting this album is like my John Lennon's imagine I'm like super into new wave and I screamed out of happiness when I saw that this is my album of the day

Really unique.

Another great Talking Heads album. I’m only really familiar with their first four albums, but they are all good. One band worthy of having more than one album on this list.

Fun. It's the Talking Heads.

5/10 Interesting music - Talking Heads was really doing something unique here, especially for the time. Unfortunately it's not really sonically appealing.

"I did not know this album until I got a vinyl copy last year. I played it one or two times, but it didn't really get me. So, the 1001 Albums Generator gave me the opportunity for another try today. It is not an easy record to grasp, understand, or appreciate. Reading some of the praise for this album—which ranks high on many '70s and especially 1979 album lists—I got the feeling I should love it if so many other people do. It's often seen as their best album. I like the Talking Heads—especially the Stop Making Sense concert movie—and I was already familiar with 'Heaven' and 'Life During Wartime.' But while some songs on here are really great, other tracks are difficult for me as a 'simple' music lover due to the unusual rhythms and sounds —especially the album closer, 'Drugs.' I am torn between 3 or 4 stars. I was leaning toward four, but the last three songs shift it back to a 3 for the moment."

Like pretty much every David Byrne album, this gets better with every re-listen.

Stellenweise ganz interessant, aber so richtig gecatcht hat es mich nicht.

Gesang nicht immer ganz so meins. Wobei ich auf 'Remain In Light" gut damit klar komme.

I love the talking heads. But I didn’t love this album. I wouldn’t say I disliked it. But there was just not much here that resonated with me. I like a lot of the sounds, and I respect what they’re going for. I liked the funk guitar especially. But at the end of the album it felt more like it was trying to be interesting than it was to be effecting. And that’s personally more of what I look for. I’ve always enjoyed the THs hits, and this album could’ve used more of their pop sensibilities to round out the bizarre vibe they were chasing.

This record is a lot of fun, at times the songs sound like they could be from a Tim & Eric sketch, but then the band snaps back into it and they hit something like Life During Wartime. Not the best Talking Heads record, but a fun ride.

respect to Talking Heads for keeping it weird. they could have easily embraced more approachable, pop-adjacent music to build off earlier releases, but Fear of Music is delightfully off-kilter. Brian Eno introduced David Byrne to the album "Afrodisiac" by Fela Kuti in 1977, and you can hear that influence on the excellent "I Zimbra" -- but that sound wouldn't come back around as strong until their next album. I really enjoyed the opening two tracks, the run of "Life During Wartime" - "Memories Can't Wait" - "Air", and then the closer, "Drugs"; the rest of the album was fine but didn't stand out (kinda felt like songs that would hit harder live but didn't translate as well to the studio). my main gripe with this has more to do with the production, and it seems to apply to a lot of recordings from this era (post-punk / post-punk adjacent / late '70s - '80s). the vocals take up so much space in the mix, and that can lead to songs not having the impact they may have had with increased presence of the instruments. David Byrne's a great vocalist and writer, so no slight to him, but his voice would still do just as well closer in volume/presence with the rest of the group. "Drugs" breaks that tendency to great effect, and it's a big reason why that song works so well. again, this isn't exclusive to Talking Heads, but a recurring issue across many recordings from that time. compare the sound of the original release of "Tim" by The Replacements and then the "Tim: Let It Bleed Edition" that came out in 2023 for a perfect example of how the production/engineering/mixing of that era held bands & albums back.

Love “Cities,” “Heaven,” and “Life During Wartime,” but as a whole this album is well-constructed but a bit lifeless. Also, remember how that Simply Red album had a cover of “Heaven” on it? Huge drop off in quality on that cover. Perhaps one of the biggest ever.

Mere af det samme, og det gør ikke noget for mig.

Jeg er stadig ret pjattet med Talking Heads lyd og ikke mindst David Byrnes vokal. Det er helt klart en diskografi jeg skal dyrke meget mere efter dette projekt.

i love talk heads

Yeah not bad. Don’t do drugs kids

Fun listening experience, great production and the album was the perfect length, kept my attention the whole way through, also has one of their biggest songs on the album too. Whilst I did enjoy it and I’m glad I listened to it I’m not sure this will be one I will revisit a lot in future, it just didn’t have the same enjoyment as some as the others I’ve listened to so far. Still good though