Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Fantastic album. Always delivers on this album. David Byrne can’t do any wrong in my opinion. This music is infectious.
I need to disclose that after watching Stop Making Sense at the cinema, right now I'm experiencing a "Talking Heads Renaissance". I remember listening to this album a couple of years ago, the only songs that struck out to me at that moment were "I Zimbra" and "Life During Wartime". During this last listen, I found all of the songs to be amazing, energetic, and just perfect. Quite a pleasant surprise.
my favourite talking heads album <3 mind is a masterpiece
Good old Talking Heads <3
FINALLY SOME TALKING HEADS!!! This review may be a little biased because I love the Talking Heads. They are just so groovy, funky, influential, innovative, and most importantly fun to listen to. Talking Heads and LCD Sound System are my goto party bands when I want to have a good time. This is the first Talking Heads album were they really found their sound and started making truly great music. The first 6 songs on this album are really strong, funky, and have great melodies. The rest are weaker but I've grown to really love them. Heaven is a lovely little song, I LOVE the outro to Animals, it is just so weird, and this may be a strange opinion but Drugs is one of my favorite songs off of this album. I just love how creepy and weird it is, and that guitar solo is just perfect (listening tip: the more of a stank face you make while listening to this solo the better it sounds). Somehow I wrote this whole review without mentioning how great David Byrne's lyrics and vocal delivery is. Everything he does and sings about is so weird, but he just sells it so well that it becomes infectious and endearing. I also love how the guitars are really understated on this album and really let the vocal melodies breathe. They are more of a rhythmic element rather than a melodic one. High 5!
This album is music heaven for me. Play it all night long
Fabulous album from the Talking Heads, as always.
Such a good album. For 79, this is absurdly ahead of it's time.
I had an awful morning yesterday, just got news that made me want to scream and cry and give up. And then I got this album. I’ve actually been listening to Talking Heads a lot in my personal time, just throwing on greatest hits playlists and what not for relaxation or when I’m walking around. Idk if other fans consider this the best TH album or whatever, but it was exactly what I needed to hear yesterday. A comfort in the dark.
A classic, especially with I Zimbra, Mind, Heaven, Life During Wartime, and Air. Honestly just this entire album is great and was a huge part of my childhood. Love the instrumentation and lyrics. Great beats.
Love it. Wouldn’t have been 1 of the 4 Talking Heads I would have chosen. But they are all brilliant
Favourites Cities Life During wartime Heaven Animals I love Talking Heads
Three five stars in four days! I think probably Talking Heads at the peak of their powers. This is where they get quite out there in terms of production, style and mannerism, without being at all inaccessible. Tremendous stuff.
BEST SONGS: -Mind -Memories Can´t Wait -Air
Life During Wartime and Heaven are great.
Hah! Quoth I, as the first album is revealed. I must have played this 100 times back in the day. I wrote a lesson plan around the lyrics to this LP when I was a student teacher. I still have the original LP with the lovely checkerplate embossed sleeve, and the lyric sheet insert, of course. It's still in a lovely playable condition, but has been superseded by CD copies and clones thereof for the car. Do you imagine that I think it's wonderful? You imagine correctly. Good start.
*disclaimer - multiple listen bias as I already knew this album* Whilst not my favourite talking heads album it has some of their best songs on (cities, memories can’t wait, heaven) and it’s really cool to hear as a transitional album between first 2 more straightforward post punk/art rock albums and the experimental and very hard to define Remain In Light. As with most talking heads albums it is really not much like anything else. My one critism is that slightly trails of in quality right at the end.
This is comparable to Bowie’s Lodger record, released the same year in its unhinged eclectic zaniness. Lodger is my favorite Bowie record. This isn’t quite as good as that but is still great.
Amazing
will listen to it more. it's great
Talking heads is an immediate five but I will say this is probably my least favorite of their first four. It’s a unique blend of their early sound with the experimental elements that they will soon amp up. So cool album when looking through the lens of the bands development and has some of their all time best songs. Still think it is weaker than the albums around it on a song by song basis. Rating: 4.6
Perfect!
You cant spell zany without "omg I wish to make a twig nest inside the Talking Heads and lay electric eggs there.
Look over there, a dry ice factory. Good place to get some thinking done.
Album 493 of 1001 Thin Lizzy - Live And Dangerous Rating : 4.5 / 5 Was thinking this may not hold up to some of the Talking Heads I've heard but was wrong. Good album. Some great tracks. No losers in the bunch.
I went on a deep dive of the Talking Heads a little over ten years ago (A+ decision), and I came away thinking Fear Of Music was my favorite album by them. The brilliance of Remain In Light finally clicked with me later and I think that one holds the top spot for TH, but Fear of Music is still a masterpiece in its own right. It’s so quirky, awkward, paranoid, funny at times, and existential. David Byrne is at his nervous energetic best. I Zimbra starts things off in Africa or something, Cities are traveled, and we go to Heaven and find ourselves underwhelmed. This is the album that made me love Talking Heads, and I’m very grateful for that.
Their signature sound Dances playfully along This alt pop album
Perfect album to jog to. Makes paranoia fun!
Best album of 1979, eh? That’s a mean feat given all the New Wave, Two-Tone, punk, disco, early rap, and prog rock bombs dropping at the same time. Interesting that Talking Heads could be considered to represent any of those. I liked this album. I loved Byrne’s voice and the blessed rhythm section. Again, I find myself wrestling with the “it’s not my FAVOURITE Talking Heads album” fallacy. So let’s try this: if this wasn’t Talking Heads, would I be raving about it? Yup.
Absolutely brilliant.
Heel goed album, zo veel rare funk, gave invloeden, en echt origineel.
I just love the talking heads!
Fear of Music is the Talking Head's third album, and includes some of their biggest hits, like "Life During Wartime," "Cities," and "Heaven." The band's version of art-rock funk had fully development, complete with their intricate rhythms and Byrne's quirky lyrics. Fear of Music was the second of the band's albums to be produced by Brian Eno. The collaboration was very successful, resulting in some of the band's most acclaimed work. This incredible collection of songs helped make the Talking Heads one of the most influential bands in popular music.
I feel like I've gotten a lot of repeat artists recently. In the past two weeks, I have gotten my second Steely Dan album, my third Pink Floyd album, my second Sonic Youth album, my third Beastie Boys album, my second Taylor Swift album, and now my second Talking Heads album. Interesting. Anyways, I really like this album! I liked More Songs About Buildings and Food, but I felt it could be improved on. Fortunately, it was improved on in its followup, Fear of Music. My two big complaints with More Songs were the singing and writing. In hindsight, I don't know why I complained about the singing. I said it was goofy, but I don't know why I had a problem with it. Maybe it just grew on me or something, but I like the singing on Fear of Music. It's fun. I complained about the writing being a bit unclear in More Songs, which was fixed in this album. These songs are quite interesting, and the writing provides some interesting messages. The songs are good, and the sound is fun. Despite the fun sound of the album, it's also weirdly dark in a way. I saw someone say that this album could also be called "Music of Fear" and I think that's pretty fitting. Songs like the closer, "Drugs" embody that very well, and the themes of songs like "Mind" and "Air" fit that as well. There's lots to say about this album, but I think I'll leave it at that. This is just an amazing album that cements my liking of Talking Heads. Light 5/5
As a King Crimson fan, I love hearing Robert Fripp's pointillist guitar work in I Zimbra. Two years before King Crimson's Discipline we get hints of what's to come (it's criminal that Discipline is not in the 1001). The classics alone on this album make it a 5 - Life During Wartime, Memories Can't Wait, and Heaven are all fantastic (and I love the line in Life During Wartime, "I changed my hairstyle so many times now I don't know what I look like"). On top of that, all the other tracks are excellent and the recording quality is outstanding. Easy 5.
The Talking Heads rock. Funky, quirky, funny at times, this was a very enjoyable album. Cities and Air were my favorites but the whole album worked for me. Definitely feels like the start of a shift in the music that came before and what would come in the 80s.
There are some Talking Heads albums that I won't give 5 stars to, but this isn't one of them. A great leap forward.
4.9 - really cool album. He really is super unique and his own thing
Great album with no skips, but also none of my very favourite Talking Heads songs. 4.5/5
Simply one of the most original and influencial band ever. The only song I didnt like and think it was just put by force was the last one all other is perfct
Every song every album. Brilliance.
A great album and one of three where Talking Heads worked well with Brian Eno producing.
I LOVE TALKING HEADS SO MUCH. This album is quite very good.
One of my favourite albums of all time. Life during Wartime and Cities are best tracks for me. Animals is ridiculous but I love it.
This is a Talking Heads stan account
Strange voice. In a good way. Lyrics sound like single words with some fluff around it. Again in a good way.
The second talking heads album in our journey, and man, I just love them. This album was such a blast to listen to.
Awesome.
Really great. Can't wait for Stop Making Sense.
genius
love the talking heads.
I’ve listened to this album four and half ish times in the past two days not knowing what score to give it. This is great. Just interesting rhythms throughout.
Is this the best Talking Heads album?
This one starts out very funky! Then it just gets quirky. Love Cities. Life During Wartime is a hell of a jam! Memories Can’t Wait has a cool post punk goth thing going… Air and Heaven both have a floaty weirdness. This might be my favorite Talking Heads. It’s a great blend of styles.
Every song comes back to that married couple rhythm section, which is ridiculous because Jerry Harrison produces all these amazing licks and David Byrne is one of the great geniuses. I love to listen to each song while concentrating on one instrument. Then repeat the song and focus on a different instrument. Memories Can't Wait is an assault on the senses, TURN IT UP!!!!!!!!!
5/5 I liked the majority of this project however, the final track; drugs did not do it for me and it left a bad taste in my mouth after the album. I liked the dark dispotian feel of the album.
There is not a single skippable song on this banger, okay??
One of my favourite albums by one of my absolute favourite bands. Talking Heads first 5 albums are so good. I love them all. In fact between their 3rd (this album) 4th and 5th album I have a hard time pinning down which one is my favourite. I was surprised to learn that their 5th album, Speaking in Tongues, isn't on this list. But yeah this album is so great.
Discobeats mit Byrne's Gesang. Und der ist einfach phänomenal.
Nice
I’d forgotten how great this album is
🌶 i zimbra mind cities life during wartime air heaven animals
Hard to pick a favourite track. My fave talking heads album. 4.7
Always down for some Talking Heads.
Best album
Very good, it’s the talking heads! Has many of their classic songs
The soundscape of this album is certainly dystopian, but there is also an odd magic to the whole thing. The rhythms are powerful, the vocals are innovative, and the fusion of sound just works. It’s crazy what people were into in the 70s that this had 3 singles and was a top 25 Billboard album, it has always seemed to esoteric to me. Really it’s an art rock masterpiece.
I love this album, always have and always willl
A fantastic mix of Brian Eno and talking heads. They are especially spacey and atmospheric here.
An amazing album, highly recommend
There are four albums by them that i would consider classics. This is one of them. Always have loved Heaven, Drugs, Memoriales Can Wait. Lyrica are wack a doodle for most songs but thats what keeps ten interesting.
Very good
Excellent!
This is their best album.
Frantic energetic uncontrollable hip movements
Starts with my favorite song of theirs.
I just love this album. But truth be told, I love all the Talking Heads' albums. This one solidified that the band is the whole deal--musicians, lyricists, and avant garde Artists. Stand-out songs on this for me are I Zimbra, Paper, Cities, Air, Heaven.
Phenomenal Album! One of Talking Heads' best
Polyrhythmic funk meets punk art rock. Fantastic sound and lyrics. The live versions of many of these songs are even more interesting as the Talking Heads had people like Adrian Belew adding to their performance.
Iconic classic makes you move what more can you want
1+1. вечер. дома догорает камин, играет патефон, я танцую босиком в темной комнате, которая подсвечивается камином. мне тепло. и все еще хорошо.
Yikes
So unique and groundbreaking. 5/5
Nice one
A classic talking heads record with some of their strongest hits! I love it a lot! Dance music for underground clubs.
I loved everything about this album and shall dance to it at any given opportunity between now and death.
As a Talking Heads fan, this is an essential album and I'm very glad that it's on this list. I remember thinking when I heard this for the fist time, "what the hell did I just listen to?" It's so weird, strange, and different than many other types of music I've listened to...Talking Heads are quite unique. A few songs did take a handful of times to listen to before I liked them, but they are all great (although some are better than others: Cities, Life During Wartime, I Zimbra, and Heaven). Favorite tracks: all of them.
Own
5 stars. Great fucking album.
One of the best bands to emerge during the most innovative period in the history of pop music. They released five consecutive masterpieces (no mean feat!). 'Fear of Music' is the third of these and a singular experience. African rhythms, twisted melodies, endless layers and textures, this album never fails to captivate
Oh look, my favorite Talking Heads album! I've already got 2 of their albums at 5* (gonna be 4 by the time we finish this 1001 thing), so you know what this is gonna be. Another absolutely effortless 5, this album kicks all kinds of ass IMHO.
I mean what did you think I would rate it
This was a great album
Cities is amazing, I love the talking heads so obvi 10/10 for me 😊
5,0
Have this on vinyl (From Jimmy Mac). Masterpiece.
This is the album that taught me that “ugly” sounds can be beautiful. At times, the album is so noisy, or David Byrne is just making weird sounds with his voice—and it’s still so excellent. There’s also the unapologetic weirdness of this album, which was so exciting and refreshing to me in high school. And all throughout, the album just moves! Talking Heads somehow manages to stay silly while being groovy and danceable. So many classic tracks: “Cities,” “Air,” “Animals,” “Memories Can’t Wait,” and “Heaven” are all favorites of mine. “I Zimbra” is one of the greatest opening tracks of all time, and “Life During Wartime” is iconic. And this album marks an important shift in their sound that culminates in my favorite album of theirs, Remain in Light. It simply is a 5/5 album, and it’s only my third favorite Talking Heads album. They’re just the best.
Lyrics: The lyrical content of Fear of Music is a compelling exploration of the human psyche, delving into themes of paranoia, alienation, and self-reflection. David Byrne's distinctive lyrical style combines abstract imagery with introspective observations, creating a unique and thought-provoking narrative. Tracks like "Life During Wartime" and "Heaven" exemplify this, as they touch upon societal anxieties and the search for meaning. Pros: Thoughtful and evocative lyrics that invite listeners to interpret and reflect on their own experiences. The use of vivid and surreal imagery adds depth to the storytelling, making the songs memorable and open to multiple interpretations. Cons: Some may find the abstract nature of the lyrics challenging to decipher, leading to potential misinterpretations. The thematic consistency may be overwhelming for listeners seeking more straightforward narratives. Music: Fear of Music presents a dynamic musical landscape that defies easy categorization. The album seamlessly blends elements of punk, new wave, funk, and world music, showcasing Talking Heads' versatility. The rhythmic complexities and experimental instrumentation contribute to the album's distinctive sound. Tracks like "Cities" and "I Zimbra" display the band's ability to create infectious grooves while maintaining an avant-garde edge. Pros: Innovative musical arrangements that push the boundaries of conventional genres. The incorporation of diverse influences creates a captivating and eclectic listening experience. Cons: The experimental nature of the music may alienate listeners who prefer more straightforward, traditional structures. Some may find the album's sonic adventurousness challenging, making it less accessible for casual listeners. Production: Fear of Music benefits significantly from the collaborative production efforts of Talking Heads and Brian Eno. Eno's influence is evident in the album's atmospheric soundscapes and experimental textures. The production choices enhance the album's thematic elements, contributing to its overall cohesiveness. Pros: Brian Eno's production elevates the album, adding a layer of sophistication and experimentation. The attention to sonic detail creates a rich and immersive listening experience. Cons: The dense production may overwhelm those looking for a more stripped-down sound. Some listeners may find certain tracks overly abstract, hindering the accessibility of the album. Themes: Fear of Music explores a range of interconnected themes, including existential angst, urban life, and societal unease. The album's title reflects a pervasive sense of apprehension and uncertainty. Songs like "Mind" and "Paper" delve into the complexities of the human mind, while "Air" captures a sense of detachment from reality. The thematic consistency contributes to the album's conceptual strength. Pros: Cohesive thematic exploration creates a unified listening experience. The album's themes resonate with the anxieties and uncertainties of the late 1970s, offering a timeless quality. Cons: The intense focus on certain themes may limit the album's broad appeal. The abstract nature of some themes may require repeated listens for a full appreciation. Influence: Fear of Music has left an indelible mark on the music landscape, influencing subsequent generations of artists. Its eclectic blend of genres, innovative production techniques, and thought-provoking lyrics have inspired musicians across various genres. The album's impact is evident in the experimental tendencies of bands that emerged in the post-punk and new wave eras. Pros: Fear of Music's influence is pervasive, shaping the trajectory of alternative and experimental music. The album's innovative approach continues to inspire artists exploring the intersection of different musical styles. Cons: Some may argue that the album's uniqueness makes it challenging for artists to replicate its success without veering into imitation. The niche appeal of Fear of Music may limit its influence on mainstream music. Conclusion: Fear of Music remains a landmark album in Talking Heads' discography, showcasing the band's willingness to push creative boundaries. The synergy between David Byrne's enigmatic lyrics, the band's eclectic musicality, and Brian Eno's avant-garde production creates an enduring work of art. While the album's abstract nature and experimental tendencies may be challenging for some listeners, its thematic depth, innovative spirit, and lasting influence make Fear of Music a timeless and essential piece of musical history.
None of my top 4 talking heads songs are on this album, but id still argue this is one of their best albums Flows really well Good vibes
Favorite
I love Talking Heads and this album.
Altbekannt!
Classic
Don't even need to listen to it again since it's been almost on repeat since I watched their live concert film 'Stop Making Sense' a couple months ago when it was in cinemas (I watched it 3 time actually). The groovy 'Life During Wartime' and melancholy 'Heaven' are both featured on there and the live performances are just as amazing as the studio versions. Other highlights on the album are 'Cities' where David Byrne sounds like he's literally going insane, 'I Zimbra' which opens the album and showcases the afrobeat influence they'd really hone in on on 'Remain in Light' after this album, and 'Mind' which has one of the stickiest melodies on the album. It's a banger front to back.
Not full of bangers compared to other releases, but solid none-the-less. Unmistakeable sounds of Talking Heads.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It's good!
Great album
This was an excellent listen, despite including few of the Talking Heads tracks most people would be aware of. The production is great, some of the guitar sounds are superb, and the record flows really well. I expected this to be good, but not as good as it actually was. I'm thinking a low 5
awesome, stunning, gorgeous, amazing, left me with a strange need to listen to kraftwerk
"Fear of Music" is perhaps an apt title, that or, as the excellent "Life During Wartime" repeats, This ain't no party, this ain't no disco. This might be the album that signified the glammed up 70s were dead, long live the post punk, new wave, fuck your disco 80s? Anyway, this is my second Talking Heads album, and I'm a convert, a true believer. Every song brings something new and different from what came before it. This is a truly great album and anyone who says otherwise is a cop. I said what I said....
The best
5/5. A sporadic and fear-fueled album, every song you believe Byrne is truly terrified of these things. His displays of unconventional vocal prowess drives each song and I do feel concerned despite also fully investing in these feelings. Not to mention the exciting instrumentation that backs Byrne's voice, sometimes he's catching up and other times, the instruments are catching up. A wonderful, crazy album; a classic.
Favorite Talking Heads album. 4 1/2 stars
Excellent album. Funky, groovy, fun, weird, and completely uninterested with being put in a box. I have been listening to this album for years and even after all this time the album still sounds interesting and unique. From the opening moments of the surreal chanting and horns of "I zimbra" to the banger "life during wartime" and finishing with the appltyl named "drugs" I can't think of a track on this album that doesn't hold it's own.
Enjoyed listening to this one again. I really love I Zimbra. So influential. That song is a 5 and most of the rest of the album is a 4. Cities and Life During Wartime and Mind are cool too. 4.5
This is my second Talking Heads album, I love this as well. The grooves are great and the lyricism is very interesting. David Byrne and all the bandmates are stellar as well. This album is really good! I’d recommend iy.
Fantastic, grew up listening to talking heads greatest hits, and this was not a disappointment.
The album that followed this is often regarded as the high-water mark for Talking Heads, but surely Fear Of Music gives it a run for it’s money? Side 1 is particularly excellent, with the trifecta of I Zimbra, Cities & Life During Wartime. Listening to Life During Wartime is as thrilling now as it was when I first heard it. The only track on the album co-written by all four Heads, Its official title as a single, "Life During Wartime (This Ain't No Party... This Ain't No Disco... This Ain't No Foolin' Around)", makes it one of the longest-titled singles. Side 2 includes one of the most covered of the band’s songs, Heaven. One British critic suggested the song “ epitomises pop as Samuel Beckett might write it: tedious, beautiful and desperate”. It’s a great lyric. I saw them on their first tour here in June 1979, the month after they finished recording this album & two months before it’s release. And the 4 tunes they played from it were Mind, Paper, Heaven & Electric Guitar, in other words, none of the biggies on Side 1 of the album. When I saw David Byrne live in Sydney in 2018, the only track he played from this album was I Zimbra. Both concerts were to die for.
Talking Heads is a band that changed everything for me after hearing Remain in Light. Apparently, they laid down the basic tracks in two days in Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth's loft. They were certainly a tight unit at the time. Byrne said in Rolling Stone in 1979 "We're in a funny position. It wouldn't please us to make music that's impossible to listen to, but we don't want to compromise for the sake of popularity." And I think they were successful in straddling that line. That's what I like about this album; it's gritty and stark, weird and challenging, and smart, but also has some good tunes and you can dance to it. Eno and Robert Fripp and a bunch of percussionists bring their contributions, but it is unmistakenly a Talking Heads record. This is not my favourite Talking Heads album, but it's close. I bought my copy from a bargain bin at Kmart in Ashfield in about 1985 or 1986, and I played it a _lot_ as a teenager because it was one of only 20 or so albums I owned. Some people talk about it as a transitional record leading to their masterpiece, Remain in Light (which is my favourite). But it is a bloody great record in its own right, and it is great to hear a band with a really fresh outlook and distinctive viewpoint playing so confidently. And you can dance to it! It's not quite as perfect as Remain in Light, so 4.5 stars, rounding up because I really love it.
Funky and energetic!
Excellent
It’s got a funkier vibe than I was expecting. The opening song is gibberish
Enjoyed this one more than the other Heads album from the list so far. Complicated sounds but never takes itself too seriously. I could appreciate the music without feeling I needed to be a musician to get into the rhythms.
That album highlight "Life during wartime" is still very relevant today shows how smart the observation is through the full length of this album over 40 years later. This is a fascinating, funny and entertaining loaded with anger, panic, confusion, petty annoyances, paranoia, fear all packed up into something that could be chaos but ends up being a fantastic packet of uniqueness to be treasured. A true masterpiece.
An album you must listen to 1000 times before you die.
Wild blend of industrial goth disco pop. A previously unturned rock in my Talking Heads listening, one I’m glad I got to know.
This will be an easy review as this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Classic Talking Heads-I Zimbra, Cities, Life During Wartime, Heaven-just love this album. And this band.
Heaven
Love
So good, nearly as good as Remain in Light
Can't say I know much of Talking Heads or their work but I know they're pretty revered. After this one I can certainly see why. I think this is one of the few albums here that masterfully walks the tightrope between weird and catchy. It's unhinged, it's anxiety-inducing, but it's danceable! Few albums manage to nail that balance. Some really cool new wave. Favourite: Life During Wartime
Love this album!
Très coooool d'album, comme du disco-rock avant le new-wave. Si vous aimez ça allez voir leur Remain in Light, c'est genre ça mais plus meilleurs. EDIT D’ÉMILE DU FUTUR: FEAR OF MUSIC C’EST LE BEST ALBUM OK, REMAIN IN LIGHT N’AURAIT PAS EU LIEU SANS CE BANGER D’ALBUM
I absolutely ADORE Talking Heads and new wave as an overall, so I'm very happy this was my first album to listen to! It's very enjoyable although Speaking in Tongues is definitely higher rated in my mind when it comes to Talking Heads albums.
Paper
As with most Talking Heads records, Fear of Music takes a few listens to get accustomed to. But when it finally clicks and you let yourself flow along with the impeccable groove set by the entire group, you'll never want to leave. While other bands where making rock operas and fast guitar-driven music in the late 90s, David Byrne was really out there pushing boundaries for what could be considered popular music. Thank god that Brian Eno and the rest of the band could tolerate working with him. 'I Zimbra' is an incredibly energetic starter, with 'Cities', 'Life During Wartime' and especially 'Heaven' fully living up to it.
There’s just no going wrong with Talking Heads. It’s amazing that a band can sound this odd and excluding while still feeling like a safe harbor for everyone willing to groove along.
Catchy, strange, and angular. Not for fans of straightforward pop music. A good use of repetition to keep listeners engaged while the riffs and lyrics feel all over the place. Yet somehow it works. It feels anxiety provoking without the strong bite of anxiety. There's little distortion to toughen the themes and tension, so it pulls off confusion without getting too upsetting. Its perfect for people who want weird without going avant garde.
Es una critica completa, logren que suene bien, lo tiene todo, el unico detalle es el sonido del grabado en sí pero es algo menor, el disco sigue siendo una experiencia formidable hermosa y disfrutable 9/10
El tercer álbum de los legendarios neoyorquinos Talking Heads comienza ya a ahondar en un sonido más experimental y alejado de sus coterráneos. Con repeticiones adictivas, y melodías sorprendentes, la banda construye un álbum sumamente colorido e interesante. Un indispensable de la música alternativa.
Maybe their first perfect album, and my personal favourite. Such an anxious vibe! Fitting, of course, considering the title. I once heard (though I'm unsure whether this is true) that each song title is meant to represent a fear -- fear of air, fear of cities, etc. And that fear is felt across the album; sometimes it's a heavy, suffocating sense of dread, sometimes a fast, frenetic anxiety, but definitely an uneasy feeling throughout. Musically, it's pretty weird, and I mean that as a high compliment. They really gel into a cohesive unit here; the interplay is fantastic. Some of their best hooks and riffs of their career are on this album. It rewards repeat listens, but definitely deserves to be included in conversations about which Talking Heads album is best.
This ain′t no party, this ain't no disco This ain't no fooling around No time for dancing, or lovey dovey I ain′t got time for that now Paranoia has never been so much fun. Also, mightily relieved that this brilliant album is in the 1001 after all 😅
Opus magnum! ;-)
Great songs to twitch along to. Highlights: I Zimbra, Heaven, Cities, Life During Wartime
My favourite Talking Heads album and the one I think they are their best.
Everyone is trying to get to the bar The name of the bar, the bar is called Heaven The band in Heaven, they play my favorite song They play it once again, they play it all night long One of the best of all time. 5/5
I find Fear of Music curiously hard to get into, the first few tracks are good, but kind of cold. I understand where critics of TH's sound, that it is too precise and has got no soul, are coming from although I wouldn't judge them as harshly. But, and it's a big but, I am always swept away at a point halfway through Cities all the way up to and including Animals - what a run of songs. Absolute genius. After this big chunk, the album kind of fizzles out for me before the end, which is a shame. So, a flawed classic, and a hugely important step on the road to the best TH album, Remain in Light. A second listen later in the day it's even better, right up until those last two tracks. Favourite of the rest - Mind. Favourites - Heaven, Air, Life During Wartime
Not as cohesive and maybe not a cultural statement as strong as Remain in Light, but Fear of Music makes up for it by throwing us some of the weirdest and most paranoiac new wave you'll ever get to hear. This sounds so fresh even to this day. Life is still as stressful as these songs wanted to portray.
Shimmering with originality, Talking Heads continue their music/art project with some excellently crafted tracks, brilliantly produced and played superbly. They deconstruct and then reconstruct the pop song, experimenting with lyrics, form and effects. Compelling, urgent, unique, a band who would go on to hit even greater heights.
A ridiculously good album. The '70s-'80s punk-new wave-funk is a fantastic complement to David Byrne's monotonous (but never boring) voice. And then you have experimental elements and instruments, making some songs sound like Halloween hits, some a bit more soulful, and some like drug-induced ramblings. That probably would not have worked with other artists, but Talking Heads creates magic here, that's amazingly supplemented by Brian Eno. You hear his influence all over. This album would be nowhere near as good and cohesive, despite its eclecticism, if not for his work. Standout tracks are Mind, Cities, Air, and Memories Can Wait.
One of the many perfect albums by Talking Heads. Hook it to my veins.
The 'Heads were just an album away from penning and recording their magnum opus when they released the already wonderful *Fear Of Music*. And you can feel it. Byrne was at the peak of his game during that period, and helped by Eno's production ideas, his band were firing on all cylinders. Only three tracks are *a little* underwhelming in this LP, first "Life During Wartime", to a certain extent (never understood why they picked that one as a single--it's very "linear", melodically speaking), but more specifically "Animals" and "Electric Guitars", very weird even for the band's usual standards. Fortunately, those latter two tracks are sandwiched between the perfect ballad "Heaven" and the evocative and moody "Drugs", two of my absolute favorite Talking Heads tracks. So the peaks are more significant than the valleys on side two. And the album is insanely great overall. 4,5/5, rounded up to 5 here. Number of albums left to review: 597 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 193 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 90 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 120
The first five Talking Heads records are nearly a perfect output for a band, in terms of the overall output and their growth and evolution from album to album. Fear of Music is arguably the weirdest and most experimental of the five records and is likely the one I reach for least out of all of them. But this album rules and is nearly perfect and is a great listen every time.
There's just no weak spot to be found on the album. It might not get into the heights of some songs on the predecessor or on the next album, but it's unique, compelling, danceable, maniacal, creative, neurotic, funky and timeless throughout.
Черт, не знал что головы могут быть такими. Мне кажется если бы они исполняли все позже, то точно исполняли IEM. Очень интелеггентный фанк получился, но который вгоняет в тоску и паранойю от мира
Fantastic record. Perfect weird energy. Amazing performances. One of Talking Heads best.
I've mentioned this before, but Talking Heads will always get a 5 star rating from me. David Byrne is a beautiful genius, a remarkably talented and rare shiny gem among musicians, and everything he touches turns to gold. I love this album end-to-end, it is flawless. It's rock 'n' roll, but also art pop and new wave proto-everything cool in all the best ways. I fucking love it.
pretty based. not my thing usually but it's great
This is THE Talking Heads album. The one I recommended when someone asks. The one hooked me to their style. The one I always come back to. Fantastic sequencing, immaculate production, contagious rhythms. Each songs dealing with traumas and “fears” (I think I heard that you could add the prefix “Fear of” to each song to know where they were going: Fear of mind, fear of cities, fear of heaven…. -this does not apply to I zimbra) in a cathartic way. Personally, my favorite TH song is heaven. Its helplessness, hopelessness, philosophical anxiety. A passive aggressive song: heaven is a place where nothing ever happens… can you ask for more in an album?
Perhaps one of the greatest albums to ever be released! Fear Of Music Is Insane, It's like a huge melt pot of Funk, Rock, World, Psychedelic and what else is on the horizon. I love Byrne's delivery and paranoia. Definitely need to dive in their other albums! Favorite lyrics: - You make me shiver, I feel so tender. We make a pretty good team. - They think they know what's best, they're making a fool of us. They ought to be more careful, they're setting a bad example. Key tracks: I Zimbra, Mind, Paper, Cities, Life During Wartime, , Memories Can't Wait, Air, Heaven, Animals, Drugs 9 out of 10
From start with the dada reference in I Zimbra, Eno involved, and the end (Drugs!) 11 classics in a row. Music can't be much better than this, a 4.999999999. After Drugs it was high time to listen to My Live In A Bush Of Ghosts by Byrne/Eno (guess also in 1001 best albums?). BTW: Am liberal in my views normally, live and let live, but can't understand that Simply Red released/raped Heaven (a bit of self censorship does not hurt does it?)
Exceptional album
So unbelievably creative and fresh. And so unbelievably influential. I love it
Yeah, liked this more than "More Songs About Buildings And Food" - there seemed to be more oddness? Like, most songs had moments or features that made me go "Ooh, that was weird, I dig it!" Fave track - "Heaven" and "Drugs" I reckon!
Arguably their best album.
i cheered, i shouted, i fist-bumped the air beautiful
Man, how have I slept on Talking Heads for so long??? What is wrong with me? '77,' their debut album, was good, but I'm glad it's the first one I listened to, because everything I've listened to since, including the fabled live album 'Stop Making Sense,' has been fantastic, and this album is no exception. Weirdness accentuated by David Byrne's unusual voice, the album strikes a great balance between the weird and the catchy. 'Heaven,' 'I Zimbra,' and 'Life During Wartime' were standout songs for me, but the entire album rocks from start to finish.
Huge fan since 77. They always surprised with every album, this one especially.
hell yeah
My all-time favorite Talking Heads album.
Yay Talking Heads! A lot of love for this band but have listened to big hits and watched random live performances rather than listening to full albums like this. It's a really strong and classically unusual/exciting/unique opening track, It's really nice to have that African-disco inspired opener. Love that the album is quite punchy at 40 mins and the variety with it chopping and changing between tracks a lot. It holds my interest well. I love the description I will pinch from Wikipedia of "gritty weirdness". As always I really love the influence/appearance of Brian Eno in the production of the album. I LOVE where they found inspiration and the fact that their songs are written about unusual objects or based on non-sensical poetry rather than the usual themes of love drugs etc etc and it makes it very interesting to read up on the inspiration behind the songs and lyrics. Really enjoying the disco vibes throughout, super fun and dancey. Some really clever moments like the breathy vocals which sound like the word "air" at the beginning of Air.
A masterpiece, just fantastic
Loved it. I liked the talking heads already but this album was new to me. Def don't make them like they used to
David Byrne for life!
i really really like this i loved Cities and added it as the first song in Songs About Cities just a good vibe and cool sounds. i want to listen to this stoned
Yes! Never heard this before but quite brilliant. I knew Cities though, best song from a great record.
I love Talking Heads, and this record sums up a lot of what I love about them. In a time when soul, punk and glam rock seemed to dominate, you have this weird art-pop-rock collective making weird accessible music you can dance too. I just think the whole album is ace from start to finish, and even today sounds fresh and unique to me. I cant think of anyone who comes close to Talking Heads in terms of making this type of music. Strange enough to be interesting, catchy enough to catch on. Just what you’d expect from something Brian Eno has been involved in. Id love to have a pint with Brian Eno.
What I love about Talking Heads is that it's a band that can reconcile the weird, literate, often pretentious, but clever music with fun, radio-friendly, catchy music, all without ever losing their identity. This album achieves that, somewhere between enjoyable and funny (Animals is hilarious), and unsettling and nervous. The title is really fitting, as it's just about fear. Fear of achieving perfection, to urban life, to the air we breathe. 21/10/22
Like it for being mentally active😅
A really good album..
Art Rock meets African rhythms? What's not to like?
Fantastic album and their best IMO.
One of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands. All of the quirkiness and clever lyrics.
In their top 3 for sure but not my favorite Talking Heads album. That said, 5 stars!
У нас уже был на прослушивание самый первый альбом TH, и он мне не понравился Не могу сказать то же самое об FOM — он огненный!
Banger opener
Already love Talking Heads, but I've never heard this album. It's really nice, and my favorite track was Heaven
This album makes my bussy bop. Love it.
cool
This has been a favorite of mine since highschool. Pretty experimental like on the first track with the nonsensical language.
One of my favorite Takling Heads releases. I definitely think this is the album where they truly came into their own. It's darker and more experimental than their earlier stuff, while retaining the pop sensibilities. Eno's production is fabulous as well.
Great start.
Maybe my least favorite Talking Heads album. But then it has some of their all time best songs on it, like Heaven and Life During War Time? Ah well 5 stars I guess for these fuckin' guys.
Офигенный альбом. Предтеча Discipline группы King Crimson. То, что доктор прописал. То, что я очень люблю.
Wow! I’ve always meant to listen to the Talking Heads and I’m glad this 1001 album endeavour finally forced me to. This is the first album I’m giving 5/5 because I will definitely listen to it again. When it finished playing, I let it start again. Loved it from start to finish.
"The better the singer's voice, the harder it is to believe what they're saying" - David Byrne. It doesn't ring entirely true, but goes a long way towards explaining Talking Heads' approach to music: capture a flash of inspiration, cling to the authenticity of it, worry about everything else afterwards. To me, "Fear of Music" (what a title) is when all the components of this brilliant band come together for the first time. David Byrne's unique and neurotic worldview was projecting out to everything around him, the band were starting to explore new ground and styles musically while retaining a sense of spontaneity, and Brian Eno's partnership with them was soaring to new heights. The concept of "Fear of Music" - detachment from any sense of stability, and paranoia concerning just about everything - unravels beautifully across the set of songs. We're treated to what is, in effect, a Talking Heads rulebook containing the following insights: Love is as weak as paper. Heaven is a con. Don't trust animals, they're laughing at you. Don't trust electric guitar, it's breaking the law. Don't trust the air you breathe, it can also hurt you. Bim blassa galassasa zimbrabim! Musically, they're on stellar form: Byrne and Jerry Harrison's jagged and brash rhythm guitar, Tina Weymouth's bubbling, disco-esque basslines, and Chris Frantz bringing rock-steady drum parts. Some occasional stuttering keyboard accompaniments go a long way, as does Eno's cold production. Even including the weakest link "Electric Guitar", every track is either lyrically striking, irresistibly danceable (a frenzied strut, but danceable all the same), or at least ear-grabbingly intriguing. The coda of "Animals" holds a special place in my heart. Robert Fripp's guitar cameo in "I Zimbra" is dizzying wonder. The build-up in "Memories Can't Wait" is triumphant and disturbing at once. "Heaven" sounded a lot better four years later on "Stop Making Sense", but it's still a melodic gem. Every track is completely original and arrestingly immediate. They would move onto more ambitious work immediately afterwards, but "Fear of Music" shows the band absolutely mastering three-minute songcraft.
not the best album but good
It's very difficult to give an impartial review on one of my favourite bands. An influential masterpiece, unlike anything else released at the time.
when the guitars hit during Mind... oooooooh. this album got me through an unnecessarily stressful afternoon thank you Talking Heads. 9/10.
Jagged and edgy and lived in
It's Talking Heads. I am not qualified to judge, these people are legends.
Talking Heads are an all time great. This album is a masterpiece.
loved it. talking heads 77 is better but this turned me on to a whole bunch of songs id never heard.
One of my faves- minimal and sparse at times, other times jagged and claustrophobic. Always driving rhythms and progressive. Still listen on the reg. Pulled me out of a really bad headspace at Bighorn 100, mile 72-ish. Highlights: Mind, Air, Cities, I Zimbra
You know what I love about Talking Heads? They completely existed in their own musical headspace. This is a band that basically invented their sound as they went along, frequently wandering into uncharted territory. They could draw on what was hip at the moment musically if they felt like it, but bend it into their own weird concoctions. Their music was off the wall, lyrically complex and sometimes pretty challenging. This is wickedly smart music that is also incredibly engaging and fun to listen to. There really is no other band like the Talking Heads and I live on this music. Fear of Music has everything you want or need in a Talking Heads album, full of funky grooves, offset with a little punk-tinged terseness and grit. The band is in top form with jagged, urgent guitars, frenetic drumming and some seriously funky bass. Byrne's singular vocal style lilts from whimsical to menacing and even melancholy in a sometimes surprising but always entertaining fashion. Not every song on this album is an easy listen, but the band is able to strike a balance between being adventurous and being fun, which is really hard to do. They get even better at it on the albums that come after this one. Fave Songs (All songs from most to least favorite): Cities, Life During Wartime, Heaven, I Zimbra, Mind, Memories Can't Wait, Air, Paper, Animals, Electric Guitar, Drugs
great album so much energy, i guess cocaine
Talking Heads liebe ich, schöne Melodien, gute Texte
2nd best Talking Heads album. Damn near perfect. 9-10/10 1. Life During Wartime 2. I Zimbra 3. Memories Can't Wait
-"Cities" has some great back bass and groove, but I do prefer the more intense live version on 'Stop Making Sense" -"Life During Wartime" is an awesome song -The end bit of "Animals" is really cool, with the layers and layers of David Byrne singing -Memories Can't Wait is pretty cool like psychedelic stuff kinda -Just generally solid, even if the live versions are way better
rad
I had always heard of the Talking Heads as being the “type” of band I would like, but never really listened to them. This album is really cool, and definitely seems like it was ahead of its time. Would have fit right in in the 90s. Some really good tracks on here.
Loved every minute of this.
Things what I did done learn from the 1,001 Albums: Part 4 - Talking Heads are really bloody good. No idea why I paid them so little attention before. If they were a football team, they would be Brentford (a breath of fresh air) as opposed to Burnley (Aimee Mann - a bit dull), Norwich (The Incredible String Band - really, really shit) or Man United (any jazz - loads of fellas doing loads of different playing with absolutely no cohesion).
Oh this is one of the best albums in the list. The music. The lyrics. All great from start to finish. Too bad one cannot give 10 star!
David Byrne. Genius.
This and they are genius! So ahead of the curve it’s unreal!
Excelente disco. Sin duda para escuchar antes de morir
This album is fearless. David Byrne is unafraid to toss in disco influences with rock influences and create something new but coherent. His frantic lyrics and singing add a sense of manic urgency to this album. This music is off-kilter, yet still finds a groove.
This album is great. It gets weirder and weirder the farther in you go, but they play into it and play into it extremely well. The vocals are great, the instruments are interesting to listen to, and no moment of music is wasted. This was worth listening to. Favorite track: I Zimbra
Very enjoyable. It was extremely catchy and forward thinking. I love David Byrne's voice and songwriting, and Fear of Music was a great step in the direction of Remain in Light. Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8.
A great listen
For me a perfect album has one or 2 tracks that grab you and pull you in. Then the more times you listen the more tracks pull you in until every track is a classic. This is one many albums like that that talking heads produced in their all too short career.
Hadn’t listened to this album before but really liked it. The Talking Heads are amazing.
One of the greatest albums ever made. I need to upgrade my vinyl version.
I can imagine a large portion of first time listeners tuning out early on this album through not wanting to persevere with the somewhat ‘different’ sounding melody & vocals...they would be doing themselves and this whole album a huge disservice. As well as all the great music they would also miss the chance to go about their day whilst wearing a pair of cans & and appreciating the beautiful artistic and upbeat mastery of this whole album. They’d never know they missed out on such a caring and tender song like ‘Heaven’ for example. They would have no clue how much they would’ve felt like spontaneously breaking into dance will listening to ‘Mind’. Most of all they would miss going about their day with a music induced smile as a result of listening to these tracks. There truely is something for everyone here. Sometimes you just have to dig that bit more or scratch further away at the surface to reveal some hidden gems in life...this album is full of them. Five Stars!
right when TH hit their stride to become probably the best band of the era. weird beats and instrumentation, peak Eno ethereal production, and David Byrne delivering some of his best and weirdest vocals and lyrics. I Zimbra and Animals stood out to me as forgotten gems off this one.
Production: 15/20 Songwriting: 16/20 Innovation: 15/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 16/20 =82 Yes please
Excellent, know this album inside-out.
With this album, TH started to separate themselves from the other "New Wave" bands. The Eno production was quite different from their earlier efforts, I Zimbra gives us a glimpse of the direction they were heading & the guitar licks on songs like Mind & Drugs where unlike anything I'd heard at that time - almost percussive. The lyics were amusing as always. All songs are not 5/5 but the great ones carry the rest.
still sounds as fresh as when I first heard it. Eno can found all over the place. masterpiece
I really like the Talking Heads and know they've had a lot of influence on other bands that came about later. I don't know if this is their first album but I think it's pretty early so I can see how this would be completely different than a lot of other stuff that was going on at the time.
Timeless.
This could definitely use another listen just to pick up on some more of the lyrics.
NIce
Зашло!
Love love love David Byrne
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
...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
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.
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.
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 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
8/10
Solid album
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. I feel 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.
❤️❤️❤️❤️ - A four star classic, thank you RGP. Tom.
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
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)
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
Should be 5* just for Heaven alone, but not quite in the proper big leagues. Enjoyed revisiting.
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.
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....
grooooovy :D (austin powers voice)
1) Life During Wartime 2) Drugs 3) Animals Least Favourite: Paper
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.
8/10
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 !
great first half — less great second half
A very Talking Heads-y album. The last two tracks were kind of awful, but the rest was good.
Second listen. I enjoy this. I love the deadpan and sarcasm. Likely a rotation album.
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.
Too “talking heads” for me.
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.
talking heads might be good...
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.
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 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
mostly good songs. One of my favorite bands.
just entered my list of dancing albums <3 they re also so specific, which is something i value a lot
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
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.