Fear Of Music

Fear of Music, released in 1979, is a Talking Heads masterpiece that brilliantly exemplifies the intersection of pop and rock. Through danceable beats and introspective lyrics, the band creates a sound that is simultaneously accessible and experimental. Brian Eno’s production adds layers of complexity, taking the album’s sound into innovative territory that transforms traditional rock conventions into something more cerebral and rhythmic. This skillful fusion allows songs like “Life During Wartime” and “I Zimbra” to resonate in clubs and on the radio, solidifying Talking Heads’ unique identity as pioneers in the dialogue between these genres.

Nous sommes en 1979 et l'aiguille du sismographe musical est complètement folle. Le punk a déjà craché son venin originel et se regarde crever dans le miroir, le disco parade sous ses boules à facettes en attendant le coup de grâce, et une nouvelle vague, plus froide, plus nerveuse, commence à déferler. Et au milieu de ce bordel, il y a les Talking Heads. Les intellos, les excentriques de la scène du CBGB qui, au lieu de se contenter de trois accords et d'une pinte de bière, préféraient débattre de l'architecture moderne et de l'art conceptuel. On les avait laissés deux ans plus tôt avec des albums brillants, "77" et "More Songs About Buildings and Food", qui posaient les bases de leur son si particulier. Mais avec "Fear of Music", troisième volet de leur triptyque avec le sorcier Brian Eno, on bascule. On quitte le loft d'artiste pour l'asile de fous. Un asile où, curieusement, tout le monde danse. Je dois l'avouer, à sa sortie, j'avais neuf ans et mes préoccupations musicales se limitaient à savoir si Goldorak avait une meilleure bande-son qu'Albator. C'est plus tard, au mitan des années 80, en pleine adolescence boutonneuse et avide de sons qui sortaient des clous, que ce disque m'est tombé dessus comme une enclume. Et quelle claque. Dans les bacs de la médiatheque où je trainai, la pochette m'avait d'abord intrigué. Toute noire, gaufrée comme une peau de reptile ou la semelle d'une Doc Martens. Pas de photo, pas de fioritures. Juste un titre, menaçant : "La Peur de la Musique". Ironique, pour un disque ou alors terriblement lucide. Car la peur, mes amis, est la véritable matière première de cet album. Ce n'est pas un concept fumeux, c'est l'air même que respire chaque sillon. David Byrne, notre guide dans cette descente, n'est plus seulement le type bizarre qui chante des trucs bizarres. Il est l'incarnation de l'anxiété moderne. C'est l'homme dans la foule qui se sent observé, le citadin qui voit sa ville comme un organisme hostile, l'individu qui analyse chaque interaction sociale jusqu'à la nausée. Ses textes sont des petits chefs-d'oeuvre de paranoïa, des vignettes surréalistes d'un monde devenu trop complexe, trop rapide, trop bruyant. On parle d'animaux, de villes, du paradis (où, apparemment, "rien ne se passe jamais"), de surveillance. C'est le journal intime d'un névrosé qui aurait décidé de mettre ses angoisses en musique. Et c'est là que réside le coup de génie absolu de "Fear of Music". Parce que cette angoisse, cette claustrophobie, cette peur panique, elle est posée sur des rythmes qui te donnent une envie irrépressible de bouger ton cul. C'est la grande schizophrénie du disque, le cerveau te crie de te planquer sous le lit, mais tes jambes ont déjà commencé à taper le rythme. La section rythmique, bordel ! Tina Weymouth et Chris Frantz forment un duo d'une efficacité monstrueuse. Les lignes de basse de Weymouth sont des serpents qui ondulent, simples, hypnotiques, implacables. La batterie de Frantz est métronomique, sèche, mais avec ce groove irrésistible qui doit autant au funk qu'à la froideur allemande. C'est l'album où l'influence des rythmes africains, qui explosera sur le chef-d'oeuvre suivant, "Remain in Light", commence à poindre très sérieusement. Le morceau d'ouverture, "I Zimbra", basé sur un poème dadaïste et chanté dans une langue inventée, est une déclaration d'intention. C'est une transe tribale et futuriste, un truc complètement barré qui annonce que non, on ne va pas écouter un simple disque de rock. Puis vient l'hymne, "Life During Wartime". Pour moi, ce morceau est l'un des plus importants de cette époque charnière. "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around", tout est dit. C'est l'anti-fête, l'anti-insouciance, c'est la bande-son d'une guérilla urbaine, une course-poursuite haletante. Et pourtant, impossible de ne pas danser dessus. C'est la BO parfaite pour une fin du monde où l'on déciderait de faire la fête une dernière fois, même si le coeur n'y est plus. C'est cynique, tendu, et incroyablement jouissif. Brian Eno, encore lui, enveloppe tout ça d'une production qui est un modèle du genre. Il crée des espaces, des textures étranges, des sons qui semblent venir d'une autre dimension. Il n'enjolive pas, il accentue le malaise. Il fait sonner le groupe comme s'il jouait dans un bunker stérile, sous des néons blafards. Chaque son est à sa place, net, tranchant. Il n'y a pas de gras, pas de bavardage. C'est direct, cérébral et pourtant viscéral. Un 4/5 pour un disque essentiel, un jalon du post-punk et de la new wave ? Mais pourquoi pas la note parfaite ? Peut-être parce que "Fear of Music" est l'oeuvre d'un groupe en pleine mutation, le chaînon manquant, sombre et fascinant, entre la nervosité pop de leurs débuts et la polyrythmie mondiale et expansive de "Remain in Light". C'est un album de transition, mais putain, quelle transition ! C'est le son d'un groupe qui a trouvé un équilibre parfait au bord du précipice, juste avant de décider de sauter dedans. Il n'a pas l'évidence pop de certains de mes chouchous de l'époque, comme The Cure sur "Seventeen Seconds", ni la noirceur totale de Joy Division. Il est ailleurs, dans une zone grise où l'intelligence et l'instinct primaire se livrent un combat sans merci. Au final, "Fear of Music" est un disque qui demande un effort. Il ne se livre pas à la première écoute, il faut accepter de se laisser contaminer par son ambiance fiévreuse, par sa nervosité contagieuse. Mais une fois qu'on y est, c'est une expérience unique. C'est un album qui a incroyablement bien vieilli, parce que les peurs qu'il décrit – la peur de l'autre, la peur de l'avenir, la peur de soi-même – sont plus que jamais les nôtres. Les Talking Heads avaient simplement trente ans d'avance. Un disque à écouter quand on se sent un peu trop à l'aise dans son époque. Juste pour se rappeler que le danger n'est jamais loin et qu'on peut toujours danser dessus.

This is a very good album, and I really like it a lot. I think Talking Heads has probably been my favourite artist to come out this list, considering I had never listened to a song (or at least, recognised a song) by Talking Heads until I got More Songs About Building and Food. So this review is really going to draw a lot of comparisons to that album. Fear of Music is an interesting one. I really enjoyed it, and I spent a long time listening to the album over and over, I think I listened to it 6 times in total. The reason why is I couldn't decide whether this was worthy of a 5 or not, and I don't think it is. This album is carried by Life During Wartime, which is an incredibly cool, funky, fun song. To me that song sounds like peak Talking Heads. But the rest of the album just doesn't stack up to that song. Once you get past it, there's a few licks on there that sound good; like Air, Heaven, and Animals. All good listens. But once I get past the magic of Life During Wartime, nothing really peaks my interest as much as that song. Another thought, is this album better than Buildings & Food? Absolutely not. If that album doesn't get a 5, then this doesn't either. That's not to say this album doesn't fucking rock. I am yet to listen to a Talking Heads song I dislike, it's just not as good as Buildings & Food, and there's not much that stands out outside of the lead single. See you at Remain in Light.

Offbeat, nerdy, art music. Favorites are Life During Wartime & Heaven.

Very good !

Fantastic album. So creative rhythmically and melodically. Joyful. This is a four star.

I dig their creativity and uniqueness. Embodied in excellent song writing. Not something I'd listen to often but am a fan!

Lo hemos escuchado juntos y nada más empezar a Jaime le ha encantado, muy contentos y ambos coincidimos en la nota: UN 4.

I haven't really listened to much Talking Heads (first one on here for me, though I did get a Tom Tom Club album). I've been a bit unsure what I would make of them, I know they get a lot of acclaim but I also tend to not be super into the new wave stuff. I enjoyed this a lot though, it's a really solid album. This is their third album and seems to be a bit of a transition point for them. This is their second album with Eno involved, and it sounds like Eno's hands are all over it. There aren't too many major standouts here ("Life During Wartime" and "Heaven" are the two best songs for my money), but the album sound is incredibly consistent. David Byrne's vocals are consistently great, he has this kind of breathless quality that really works (apparently he was literally running during the recording of "Drugs" to get this sound). "Life During Wartime" is a an interesting song too., it seems like a fairly clear commentary on New York City in the late '70s. I always find myself forgetting how bleak things were here at that time, but it's interesting context to keep in mind for artists that were living here at the time. You don't often get a song that addresses it so clearly though, I enjoyed that. Also "Heaven" was covered on the Simply Red album I got on here, this version is way better though. Favorite song: Life During Wartime Other: I Zimbra, Mind, Paper, Cities, Memories Can't Wait, Air, Heaven, Drugs 2/9/25

This is a band I've respected but never loved, and in all honesty have never really explored so the material here was enjoyably unfamiliar. It's a heady mix of hypnotic rhythms, cop-show theme tune arrangements and Krautrock synths with some snappy songwriting, angular production and Byrne's idiomatic voice/lyrics - a very neat perversion of pop which gets darker and weirder as the album goes along. After an eclectic start it really grew in strength up to an amazing second side. I don't just respect this album, I quite like it in general and loved a good few songs. Also: Tina Weymouth!!! Favourite tracks: Paper, Cities, Life During Wartime, Memories Can't Wait (great run of tracks across the middle of the record!), Heaven, Drugs

Teenage me did not appreciate Talking Heads at all, fifties me does! Another great album, so glad I was introduced to them by a work colleague.

first time heard 4-4.5 round to 4 mayybe 5 actually 2nd half rly strong

Love the talking heads, couple songs on here aren't my favorite. 4/5

Not a fan really of the talking heads, or maybe just more of David Byrnes yodeling. But this was pretty good. Some very interesting arrangements.

i dunno, its not in my taste, it sounds not great, but good enough.

3.8. Fun groves and some good atmospheric songs. Some duds but overall really enjoyed

I haven't done a deep dive into the Talking Heads, I'm mostly only familiar with their hits like Psycho Killer and Once In A Lifetime. I quite liked most of this album, although a lot of the things I liked also strongly reminded me of other artists (David Bowie, Devo, Joy Division). I think it fizzles out towards the end, but it's still pretty good overall. I'm going to rate this 4 rather than 3 because I suspect it will grow on me. I'm also going to watch Stop Making Sense, that's apparently a good jumping off point for the Talking Heads. (I watched Stop Making Sense and it was great)

Wild that there aren't more hits on this album. The sound is cool, but the album as a whole does kind of fizzle out on the B-side. Brian Eno's influence is noticeable, but I like Eno so it wasn't a negative. I love musicians who just do their own thing, and David Byrne definitely falls into that category.

Not very hooky, don’t remember a lot of songs after it was over. Can hear clear influences on modest mouse in a few songs here. Good rhythm and bass lines. Definitely interesting.

Yayyy But i liked the other one much more maybe i didn't love it because my mood is so bad that i don't love anything today

Great album

Pretty good, no special tracks

4.5 after one listen. Will probably go up with repetition.

Honestly it is really good, expected it to be worse, but here we are.

Like Devo but disco. If I was a teenager in the late 70s I would have been into this album so hard.

It’s weird and jittery but super fun to listen to. The grooves are tight and a little anxious, like a funkier version of Devo. Everything feels sharp and deliberate. It’s cool without being cold.

Psychadelic rock with a great groove. I love this sound because it feels historic. It feels like there's something special happening under the hood that isn't quite describable. The first track is my favorite (widely a favorite for many), I Zimbra. It starts with a beautiful guitar riff and some authentic vocal shouts.

One of the best album by Talking Heads but in hindsight it feels a bit like a prelude or test space for the grandiose Remain in Light that would follow. The album starts strong and ends strong and shows their talent. Some of the tracks in the middle are just not as playful or complex. Still a great album though.

I love this album's pop-centric sound that highlights not just how people lived in the 70s but even today.

🔥🔥 Talking Headsi ljubav, uvijek ih rado slušam. Bez puno duljenja, mrvicu niža ocjena samo zato što imam dražih njihovih albuma od ovog, ali svejedno sam uživala. 4/5, 8/10.

7/10 Slušao sam ovaj album davno pa se ne sjećam baš kako zvuči u komadu ali moram reći da mi je na ovo slušanje bio - tak, ništa posebno zapravo. Teško mi je to priznat za Talking Headse ali eto. Prva, I Zimbra mi je fantastična, odmah sam čuo Frippa i baš mi je žao što nije nastavio u tom smjeru dalje. Heaven bi isto istaknuo, iako je skroz drugačija, dok su mi ostale samo ok. Zanimljivo što mi je prethodni koji smo slušali dosta bolji, a i sljedeći Remain In Light koji će izdati samo godinu kasnije takodjer. Nema veze, vjerujem da će još koji njihov album doći na red ovdje, a do tada ovom ostavljam pristojnu sedmicu.

some talking heads songs are annoying to me because they feel so weird for weird's sake that it's not a pleasant sonic experience. but i gotta love that they go for it anyway.

this was a good album and i enjoy talking heads! they're truly weird for weirdness' sake but still make fun and listenable music, which is basically the ideal combo for me. there are a lot of unique sounds and genres on this record which keep things interesting for the most part. this album has some tracks that don't quite land for me, but that's fine. this really feels most like a stepping stone between the albums that came before (more songs about buildings and food) and after it (remain in light), where you can see the band developing their sound and getting their footing in real-time. also, i don't really care for the album cover/artwork. even though most of their album artwork is pretty simple, somehow this one feels particularly lazy and/or rushed. even the first one feels more out there and weird (likely just due to the clashing colors) than this one. favorites: i zimbra, cities, life during wartime, memories can't wait, heaven

I love David Byrne, but I have to be in the right mood for Talking Heads. Even though they’re great I just don’t find myself wanting to listen to them. I was a little reluctant to put this one on, but it is a great album, and I was happy that it doesn’t have any of the songs that we’ve all heard a million times on it.

Definitely eccentric, and not for everyone. I feel like the songs either clicked immediately for me, or just came and went without any second thought. But the songs that did click are quirky, catchy, a little manic, and tie a bunch of sounds together in a way that almost shouldn't work, but still does. Top tracks: I Zimbra, Memories Can't Wait, Air

Some more Talking Heads. Good. Listened to it at work, so I missed some of the song names. The alternate endings were good as well. Standouts: Mind, Cities, Heaven, and Animals.

First time listening to this album in its entirety. Paper and Life During Wartime are my favorites from it.

Much fun. Great album.

pioneers of the new wave sound, this rock album that came out at the tail end of the 70s is a perfect example of a new era of music bursting from the seams. mysterious and cryptic at times, while this album isn't perfect it stands out by itself and it represents such a specific sound transition, both with the band and with rock music as a whole.

Consider myself a pretty good TH fan. Knew most all of the songs but can’t say I’d heard that album from start to finish before. Really enjoyed that.

Wonderful music.

Okay damn opening this song is cool

Not quite as good as the last album, but it has that dissonant guitar, fretless bass and iconic vocals. Some of their best songs are on here. A

There's some songs on here I like. I am a talking heads fan, didn't realize this was such a seminal album for them.

I could really hear what would become the influences later on Speaking in Tongues and Remain in Light with the hints of African music in there. Had a lot of variety and a bunch of fun songs in there.

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.

Talking Heads - Fear Of Music Finally, I got to listen to Talking Heads for the first time, never listened to them before other than "Once in a Lifetime", but always wanted to listen their albums earlier. This album is packed with a lot of bangers, very consistent and cohesive with the sound they were doing at the time. But you might have to deal with Byrne's antics of singing on these songs, since it's either a hit or miss, for me however it doesn't matter, because it actually makes it a little bit better to the song, making it less boring to me. Overall, this is great! 1.- I Zimbra = 8/10 2.- Mind = 10/10 3.- Paper = 9/10 4.- Cities = 9/10 5.- Life During Wartime = 8/10 6.- Memories Can't Wait = 10/10 7.- Air = 9/10 8.- Heaven = 9/10 9.- Animals = 8/10 10.- Electric Guitar = 8/10 11.- Drugs = 8/10 FINAL SCORE = 8.7/10

more masturbatory than i remember.

This was a great listen, especially liked the track Heaven. Not my favourite of their albums, but one that I could listen to in different musical moods

Que banda del recarajo 4,5

Byrjaði sem þristur hjá mér, en þetta er bara svo solid hljómsveit. I Zimbra, Cities og Heaven eru geggjuð lög og restin er skemmtó.

Frábær plata. Upptaktur að Remain in light.

Good group of guys…. Really good music. Shocked once again that this is from the 70s! Cheers all around

eno and the heads laying the groundwork for one of the best albums of all time ... this thing rocks and the heads are unreal on it. it is so preposterous to think of eno's output at this time... between the heads, bowie, his solo output... devo, no new york... obscure records... like its mind boggling how productive he was and how everything he touched is some of the most important music made by white people ever ....

Classic Talking Heads. Awesome music

Good album, enjoyed it

Really liked it especially Cities and Paper. Second half wasn't my favorite but still really strong.

I unexpectedly really like this one. His voice can be annoying, but some great tunes and very Bowiesque in places. Love the track “Cities” 3.75

Some good songs

Day 69 (nice) - Nov 23nd, 2024 It's Talking Heads. What do you expect? 4/5

I think of Talking Heads as an 80s band, and this is definitely an 80s album ... just a little ahead of the curve. David Byrne even says as much: "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."

Good album, especially the numbers Air and Heaven, also because of the lyrics. But there are better albums

Best wel prima, paar goeie nummers, paar die wat minder zijn, 7/10.

For a morning that nothing is going right, it was nice to have an album I enjoyed.

Solid album, the first song definitely caught me offguard though with the non-English singing

Pretty good, enjoyed it, a few odd songs

Life During Wartime is a great song. Rest of the album is pretty solid as well.

Talking heads is always an interesting time. Great beats. Lovely album. Loads of surprising elements.

Very fun and different album, but there is better material by talking heads.

It's Talking Heads. It's always elite

Why have I not ever gotten into this band, so much more than just the (accepted great) singles.

really great record! not much to say, i wish i could really dig in more with each of these. highlights: “memories can’t wait”, “mind”, “animals”, “drugs”

great vibes, so much fun. Maybe just missing the final click for it to be perfect for me.

I love the Talking Head’s ability to create music that is goofy and slightly sinister at the same time.

Delightfully batshit. Cities is a great tune.

groovy

Very fun and weird album. Can't quite in good conscience give it a 5/5, but a very enjoyable listen. Great production, fun funky percussion and guitar, weird lyrics with equally weird vocals.

I enjoyed it, it was really short and an easy listen.

Really enjoyed, some really interesting stuff here. Talking heads really have a unique sound don't they?

4/5

It's my 4th Talking Heads album from the list. And now I can say you should definitely listen to them in chronological order. It gives you a greater perspective on overall great performances and evolution of this band. The evolution itself is phenomenal, it takes new wave into funk and it doesn't make their sound odd.

Albumi #81, 17.10.2024 Talking Headsin kolmas studioalbumi ilmestyi vuonna 1979. Mainio levy, ehdottomasti Talking Headsin parhaimmistoa.

Very familiar with about 1/2 of this album. Interesting discoveries: Basic tracks recorded in Tina & Chris' apartment w/ cables through the windows. Robert Fripp plays guitar on a couple tracks. Favorites: "I Zimbra", "Cities", "Life During Wartime" Least Favorites: "Animals" (x2, many times previously) 4 Stars, B+/A-

Good album, got better in the second half

This is the second? Third? ...Talking Heads album so far on 1001 Albums. My opinion remains the same: I like them... but not as much as I should probably. It seems like my sort of thing but, as well as liking them, I simultaneously find them a little bit annoying. Generally I think "Stop Making Sense," which I love, has all my Talking Heads needs covered. I enjoyed listening to this album though, especially the songs I already knew from "Stop Making Sense."

Best wel cute

Good listen front to back

Pretty decent

It’s good but not my cup of tea

You know when you see Talking Heads come up you’re getting something pretty solid. Life During Wartime is definitely the highlight, and Drugs is the low point. But overall a strong album with a lot to like

leuk album... goeie nummers... toffe ritmes

I knew some songs from the Talking Heads but this album had a bit more David Bowie-ness than I expected (maybe this is their typical sound and I just know the new-wave ‘hits’). Fun listen, 4/5

David Byrne is just cool

thought it was a fun album!

I Zimba and Life During Wartime are both outstanding songs that definitely were a unique sound when this came out. The rest is very good but not at that level.

I don't think this is the Talking Heads' best album, but it is still pretty strong. Lots of great song ideas in here! I like Heaven, Life During Wartime and Cities the best. Talking Heads have a range of sound in their arsenal and all of that is on display here. Lots of fun guitar parts too. The end of "animals" sounds like the Muppets.

Groovy, though not their best project

Such a sweet record! I love how groovy and odd this album is. In some ways, it almost feels *disjointed* like something is off, but whatever it is that is *off* is the magic that pulls it all together. Is it the bopping bass lines or the sharp synths? Maybe its just David Byrne's vocals and odd lyrics. But its different than say, Frank Zappa, who also had kind of an odd style of lyrics and vocals. The Talking Heads doesn't feel like a novelty act. Its fun, but its also feels real. I think I liked the run from Heaven through Drugs the best on the album. I feel like its where it really takes off and has more variety.

Talking Heads is one of those bands that I keep hearing about, but have not really heard much of their music. Outside of Psycho Killer and Once in a Lifetime, I haven’t heard much from them. I’m hoping this list will change that…assuming the generator’s nice to me. However, this album is kind of what I expected from the little of Talking Heads I heard. I admire how accepted Talking Heads is with the music world given how experimental they are. David Byrne is the perfect paranoid vocalist, as he anxiously decides on what city he’ll live in, wonders why he can’t persuade people, and verbally assaults animals for thinking that are better than us.(lowkey that ridiculous track is my second favorite from the album) Always bizarre, but never ostracizing, this is Talking Heads at what they are good at: balancing the line between commercially safe and abstract. Favorite track: Cities Other hits: Animals, Life During Wartime, Drugs, Mind, Paper

Eclectic genre bending at its finest

Major “Oil Spill” from Bob’s Burgers vibes

I respect the Talking Heads and what they did for New Wave, but it’s not a genre I’m super fond of. Still a fine listen for what it is.

This album has three of my favorite Talking Heads songs: Cities, Life During Wartime, & Air. The rest of the album can be a bit experimental and chaotic. I don’t dislike the other songs, they just don’t scratch that Talking Heads itch like the three I listed do. Might be a bit biased based off have three of my favs but this is still a great listen. 8/10

чотко прикольно, наче в барі тусиш

The opening track is fantastic! I would not have guessed this is talking heads. I really like this album. It’s all over the place.

Pretty much a Talking Heads album. By no means their best, but yeah, I mean, it's OK. David Byrne is not shining his brightest here, but the band sure are.

Zooms to the top 3 favorite TH 💿s...

First Talking Heafs album I ever bought on vinyl. Not their best I don’t think but very quirky and interesting. It’s best with the volume up loud to hear how much this really rocks.

I really appreciate getting the Talking Heads discography in release order. They’re a band I have been meaning to get into and I love seeing their songwriting and performances improve with each album. While this isn’t a perfect Talking Heads album, I probably won’t have to wait much longer for it.

Didn't recognize any of the songs, but like their general vibe. Would definitely listen to this again

Fun and upbeat. Not nearly as grating as the last Talking Heads album to pot.

Pretty solid. I've always like the Talking Heads but hadn't listened to their earlier stuff, or some more of it anyway.

Love talking heads always. 80s rock vibes

A few good songs.

Egész jó volt, érdekes, kicsit trippy gitáros cucc. A vokál nagyon érdekesnek tűnt, volt kicsit korai punkos beütése, főleg a dalszövegeknek.

"Dad, nerds are nothing to fear. In fact, they've done some pretty memorable things. Some nerds of note include popcorn magnate Orville Redenbacher, rock star David Byrne and Supreme Court Justice David Souter." -Lisa Simpson

i'm a talking heads newbie so i'm not familiar with their album cuts, really. this was my first time with this album and i enjoyed it! the thing that i have come to appreciate about the talking heads is that they were bringing in a unique style in an era that i think was fairly homogenous. my only qualm is that i find a lot of the deeper cut talking heads songs are a little too rough around the edges (read: dissonant) for my taste. it is interesting, but i would have to dive in on repeated listens to appreciate it more, i think. overall, a cool album!

Not my favorite by them, but still a solid album through and through.

If anything their better album. Tighter.

yessssssssssssssssssssss, wat een heerlijke verrassing 1e talking heads album volgens mij, maar boi wat lekker Life during wartime is echt een banger de live versie van "Stop making sense" is ook echt goed Heaven / Cities / I Zimbra ook lekker

Its talen me a lot of my life to appreciate peak Talking Heads It's all about the rhythms. Great stuff. 4

Good album. It's a good Talking Heads album. Nice texture and always interesting. ****

Fear Of Music is Talking Heads at their most neurotic. David Byrne's regular energetic, bouncing vocals come off less eccentric more nervous. He's still singing about everyday subjects, but the motivations feel more pessimistic than normal. Quite the change in tone from their previous album. *Heard before.

This is a great album. Super fun, pretty clear inspiration for lots of other bands that followed in the 80's that I also enjoy. 4/5

Maybe their best? A strong contender, anyway. A-

🤘bought back some memories

Love love love Talking Heads. But this is a tough one for me too rate, since I feel this list suffers from having too many albums from the same groups. On one hand, you could make a case or just about all of Talking Heads catalog being considered “must listen”; on the other hand, that dilutes the diversity of our experience. That said, fear of music was an extraordinary bridge within Talking Heads career. The influence of Eno is immediately evident in the chaotic and rapturous I Zimbra. Other standouts like life during wartime, Cities, Heaven, and Drugs, are indicative of the transition in the band’s style. Unfortunately, several of the remaining tracks feel like filler. In the end, a worthy listen for fans of Talking Heads, but not one which should be recommended to newbies. The list would be improved by having footnotes along the lines of “if you like this record, here are others to check out”. So put that note on Remain in Light, and we keep fans and non-fans happier.

Liked it

good album but talking heads has that funk that i cant really get over. its their signature sound but i cant fully get into it. though that applies to all of their music, i thought this album was fun and groovy despite that. the second half of side b was pretty weak but the rest was great. 4 personal favs: i zimbra, cities, life during wartime, heaven

Maybe not their height, but you know, still David Byrne great.

++: I Zimbra, Cities, Memories Can't Wait, Animals, Drugs +: Paper, Life During Wartime, Air, Heaven, Electric Guitar +-: Mind 8,8/10

One of my favorite Talking Heads albums! Happy to see it come up on this list!

Funky punky spiky angular pop rock. No one sounds like talking heads. They create a world that is uniquely their own and this is one of the best from them.

A solid album, though not my favorite from TH (that's probably Little Creatures, though this is influenced by hearing that at a young age). TH still manages to sound fresh and interesting, and while there are elements of their time (punk, new wave) they don't sound dated or generic.

Fun, poppy, quirky

Absolutely brilliant. Talking Heads have always been in my periphery so it was about time I paid attention to their music. I loved this album. Usually, his voice grates but in the context of the entire album I really enjoyed it.

Creo que es el primer disco de post punk que escucho y muy bueno la verdad , muy groovy la verdad. El primer track es súper funky.

OK, this was good. I've only ever known their singles but the album was full-on - kept coming at you Solid 4/5

Occasionally uneven, but still has enough tracks that I love to carry it to four stars.

A number of these songs I have heard live first, so the studio versions sound weird and quirkier to me. The band was still finding its sound, moving from the new wave quartet to the experimental collective that they would be. Songs like "I Zimbra" showed them experimenting with other musicians in ways not thought of. "Life During Wartime" I had heard the "Stop Making Sense" version first, so it was weird to hear the fade out while they were still singing lines. "Cities" & "Mind" I had heard live as well, but not much difference to them. "Memories Can't Wait"... I had first heard the Living Colour version and then the original. Both are effective in different ways and I love them both. It's not my favorite of their albums, but a lot of good tracks and a step towards the band that they would become and I would love. Top tracks: "I Zimbra," "Mind," "Cities," "Memories Can't Wait," "Heaven"

Amazing album with hints of world music tied into new wave/punk.

I'd give this rating just for the way the piano sounds in "Cities" alone.

Favorite Track: Memories can't wait other picks: I Zimbra, Life during wartime, Drugs

Groovy

Solid album but not the best this band put out. They’re at their best with high energy efforts (I zombies, cities, life during wartime), though the slower and more standard songs don’t bore (Heaven). There’s just something f about this that leave it out of the top tier for me.

Roots for "the robocop kraus"?

This is a weird album. It's interesting weird though. LCD Soundsystem is the spiritual descendant of Talking Heads. I'm not sure I can pinpoint why I like this but I do. If someone told me Talking Heads were a novelty band or at least this was a novelty album, I'd believe it. I guess the difference between a novelty and an experiment is a thin line sometimes. This is a kind of uneven. Life During Wartime is amazing but then two songs later I'm actively disliking Air. There are some clunkers in the second half.

This album is awesome, I will defiently listen again

A subpar Talking Heads album is still considerably better than most others

3.5 - I expect this to be a little bit of a grower, hopefully. There's a few good tracks, but I had the same issues with it that I had with Remain in Light. It's just not as funky as I'd like it to be. But I think I'll like it more as time goes on, because that's kinda what's happening with Remain in Light for me. I'm more excited to listen to an earlier Talking Heads album, because I think I'll like it more.

classic

4-

Fun! Original. Weird. Vibey.

If you have a fear of music, DO NOT LISTEN!! You will be scared the ENTIRE time!!!

Great talking heads album didn’t have the cool Afro beats but a great album nontheless

I prefer Remain In Light, but this was solid pretty much all of the way through. A little less organic in terms of textures and actual musical parts meshing together seamlessly.

Creative and relentlessly groovy ! They're so much FUN to listen to ! Brian Eno's production sounds effortlessly fresh. David Byrne's voice can get a little too off-kilter sometimes, but that's alright. He more than makes up for it with his dorky personality and distinctive songwriting. Great album ! Great vibes !

yuuuuup love the talking heads. I haven't actually heard any of the songs in this album before today, so it was nice to hear a different side of them, not just the popular songs. They have an energy to them that isn't worried about being perceived, idk how to describe it, but it makes me want to be weird and not care one bit about how I'm interpreted

Jeg havde ikke høje krav til dette album. Jeg skulle bare falde i søvn, og det lykkedes. Så et win

Enjoyed the album. A lot of talking heads songs I hadn’t heard before. Overall hits, a few misses.

I'm not that familiar with the Talking Heads. This was a really interesting album, it felt very unique.

This is not something that would be on my playlist, but an album I can respect, nonetheless.

Talking Heads’ music has always been a well performed mix of weird shit, great riffs and phrases, and serious commentary. David Byrne’s voice really rides the line between comical and impressive, all the time. This album really encapsulates that combo. The singles are the standout tracks (I Zimbra, Life During Wartime, Cities) and they walk that path the best. Songs like “Air” are too bizarre sounding to have that serious message the lyrics push, to me anyway. That's not a detriment to it, I think, because the dedication to a soundscape is there and it's not like the song is a missive to a government or something. I'm not sure if this album heralded the beginning of the 80's sound but it had to be close if it didn't do it by itself. Just the guitar work alone, on the production/fx end, is like nothing else of the time that I know of. The final track, "Drugs", is the oddest of all and is a great closer. It's experimental but not arhythmic and finishes with a simple volume fade, simple yet complicated. This was a good album.

Instant mood booster Favorite track - Life During Wartime Least favorite - Heaven

Very fun, sometimes strange album. "I Zimbra" sets the tone immediately, and the stretch of songs in the middle from "Cities" to "Heaven" is fantastic. Overall a lot of fun to listen to.

great sound

Silly music for a silly girl who has had way too much caffeine. 4/5

Maybe not as good as More Songs about Buildings and Food but still good. I'd like to dive into this more!

Love the lyrics, the beats are good, only lacks a little melody. Highlight for me is “Heaven”.

another banger

A bit weird but in a good way, interesting listen. Maybe got too weird at the end. Stand-out: I Zimbra

Liked the vibe, and in some ways, found it interesting to listen to Talking Heads with an album that I didn't recognise any of the songs from.

Pretty good.

David Byrne discovered one drum can do one thing and another drum can do another thing.

Very good but a little out of style for me. A lot of songs I liked still

Bueno

Fear of Music I love Talking Heads and I love this album, although it’s probably in the 2nd tier of their stuff for me. It’s probably the hardest to get into melodically but I love the rhythms on it and its overall atmosphere and sound. Eno’s fingerprints are all over it, adding texture and texture electronic gurgles and noises. Love the cover too. I Zimbra is one of my favourite songs on the album, with that Tina Weymouths bass, the shuffling beat and the African style guitar. Mind has its moments, including the guitar at the back end but it never quite feels like it quite comes together. I really like Paper, great guitar and bass and I love whatever David Byrne is barking on about. Kind of nice synthesis of Television and the disco-ish dance beat they play with. Cities is great too, quite a simple piano riff but I love the words. Life During Wartime is probably the strongest song on the album and is a great example of their combination of angularity, jerky rhythms and catchiness. Excellent. Despite the ominous bass and overall tone of Memories Can’t Wait it’s not one of my highlights. Air is great though, kind of funny lyric about breathing being bad but I love some of the little melodic runs before they veer off into odd directions. Heaven is superb too, the most conventional song on the album, with a noticeable air of sadness and melancholy. The ‘nuts and berries’ bit of Animals is great, but I’m not a fan of the rest of the song. Electric Guitar is fine, similar to Air in its unexpected melodic moments but not necessarily the strongest. And the. Drugs is fantastic, up there with Life During Wartime as a stand out track. Simple and insistent, atmospheric and oddly melodic, it really gets under your skin. For a lot of contemporaneous bands and a lot of bands in general this would be a 5, but for Talking Heads I’ll go a 4. That feels a bit low considering other albums I’ve given 5 to, but I think I’m judging them to a higher standard (a bit like Richard Hawley actually). There are some great tracks and in terms of ambition it is a step forward from More Songs About Buildings and Food, but it doesn’t feel as coherent and as rounded as Remain in Light, or my favourite, Speaking in Tongues. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Brian Eno take a bow.

Life During Wartime

Listened many times before. 2x. Great album.

01) I Zimbra - 8,0 02) Mind - 8,0 03) Paper - 8,0 04) Cities - 8,5 05) Life During Wartime - 8,5 06) Memories Can't Wait - 8,5 07) Air - 8,5 08) Heaven - 8,5 09) Animals - 7,5 10) Electric Guitar - 7,5 11) Drugs - 8,5 TOTAL: 8,18 (82/100) Quirky, funky, crazy melodies, David Byrne vocals and equally quirky lyrics, and Brian Eno production. Oh, and Tina Weymouth's bass. This sounds very good! If I were a teenager in 1979, I would definitely dig this album! I can't decide if "Cities" or "Life During Wartime" is my favorite track. I also like "Air" and "Drugs", but who doesn't, right?

surprisingly really enjoyed, a few skips but a few favs. docked points for weird memories

Good Album.

Tina Weymouth was the most important Head. Discuss.

This album isn’t bad. Talking Heads has always been one of those bands where most of their tracks are just middle-of-the-road, 3 out of 5’s. However, when they do make a track that’s a 5 out of 5, they really hit the ball out of the park. Unfortunately, I wish I could have the same experience listening to them like I used to, but I’ve really just burned myself out on them over the years. For a newer and younger music critic who’s still exploring different types of music, this is definitely an essential band to check out.

Love this. Talking Heads doing what Talking Heads do best, still sounds fresh after 45 years.

Pretty likeable and fun tunes. Even though I had to listen 3 times because I kept forgetting what I was going to write in my review, I surprisingly really enjoyed it and even added some songs into my current playlist. My top 3 tracks were Cities, Air, and Heaven, the last of which brought my rating of the album up to a 4

i love u david byrne

Another great Talking Heads record. I do have to say that the live rendition of "Life During Wartime" goes a lot harder than it does on the album, but I guess that's to be expected. Everyone who likes Talking Heads should watch 'Stop Making Sense.' Highlights: I Zimbra, Mind, Life During Wartime, Memories Can't Wait, Heaven

Singing Mouths

Really Interesting album. The best Talking Heads album I've heard so far. 4.0/5.0: Great

Air.

Talking Heads - mir gefällt‘s!

I listen to songs on this less than I do the songs on the other talking heads albums we've had. still good.

Definitely pretty strange, but at least it was an interesting listen with a few really good songs. 8/10

Never Boring

Very happy about this. I don’t have enough Talking Heads in my life, so thanks, list.

It's a solid album with lots of good songs. I think the legendary musician and producer Brian Eno's output on this record helps. The whole band is at their finest here. I did kind of expect it to be a boring, generic album before hearing it. It turns out that it's actually a fine LP. Moral: Try any new or unfamiliar albums - you might like it!

Perfectly weird, as new-wave and Talking Heads usually are. The more I listened to "I Zimbra" the more I became addicted to it.

3.9

4.1/5 Best Track: Cities

I can't believe this was released in 1979. So unlike anything that was getting played on radio in the US, and such an interesting progression from their first two albums. Fresh, different and unusual in a good way. In retrospect, I realize I didn't listen to side 2 all that much back in the day.

Muy buen album. Quizás no sea mi favorito de talking

They are iconic!

Can't really remember because this was weeks ago, lets say 4

Stop Making Sense made too many of these versions inferior

Weird but FUNky. Loved it.

Fun

W sumie fajne. 4/5

Not my favorite Talking Heads album but has some great songs - Life During Wartime, Cities and Mind among them. I Zimbra is different and interesting as well. Really wanted to give this a 3.5.

Right on

Air.

Fear of Music presents a departure from the band's more accessible sound, yet it remains a vibrant and important addition to their discography. While not the easiest Talking Heads album to digest, its complexities add depth and richness to the listening experience. The band's experimentation with unconventional rhythms and textures creates an atmospheric and thought-provoking sonic landscape. Tracks like Life During Wartime and Cities showcase the band's ability to blend disparate elements into cohesive and infectious compositions. David Byrne's enigmatic vocals and cryptic lyrics add an air of mystery to the album, inviting repeated listens to unravel its layers. While perhaps not as immediately accessible as some of their other work, Fear of Music rewards patient listeners with its innovative and boundary-pushing approach to art rock. Overall, it stands as a testament to Talking Heads' bold artistic vision and willingness to push the boundaries of popular music. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 4 STAND OUT TRACK - Life During Wartime

Liked it

Huh, I just got 77 2 days ago. I really liked it, so I’m more than down to listen to this album. In the end, it’s very good, but I definitely liked 77 more.

Excitingly weird

It's good I just liked the other talking heads album more

Kinda slaps. I've had the records before and after this and seems the closer in the discography to Remain in Light the more I enjoy the Talking Heads. This one has some really hilarious bits and I love David Byrne's vocals throughout, just so much character. 8/10

A couple of missteps at the beginning and end of the album, with a bunch of great songs in the middle.

What a great album this is. This challenge has really got me into Talking Heads, and Fear of Music is another example of why they are so highly regarded. There is a nervous, edgy energy running through the whole record, but it is still packed with hooks and clever ideas. Zimbra is such a bold opener, rhythmic and hypnotic. Minds is another standout, driving and slightly unsettling in the best way. The first three tracks in particular are an incredible start. They set the tone perfectly and pull you straight in. The album feels tight and purposeful from beginning to end. It is quirky, intelligent and genuinely engaging. This is definitely one I will be returning to. Favourite song: The opening three tracks. What a start to an album Least favourite song: None. They are all strong Album artwork: Simple yet superb. Stark and distinctive, even if it is not exactly one for a T shirt

Bueno y chilleo de música 70´s.

Lesser listened to Talking Head album with classics such as Cities, Life During Wartime, Heaven and Drugs

favourite songs: life during wartime, air really enjoyed this. not quite as good as the other talking heads albums ive listened to tho. four stars!

Overall, I liked it, and I thought that the best track was "Life During Wartime".

I am not generally a big Talking Heads fan but I love this album.

Haven't listened to much new wave, this is good album. My friend Lucas would like this album.

Very good album.

Feels like summer

Cool, hadnt heard much talking heads before. Will listen to that one album everyone loves

big suits

I’m waking up to the funky side of Talking Heads. Loved this one from the jump.

Bouncy quirky rock and roll. Loved it.

Typical great music from Byrne and his cohorts Loved listening to this album

This is a great record that defies categorization. It's challenging but accessible. It's lack of complete of complete bangers (there are some but not enough) is all that keeps it from a 5. It's an extremely strong 4.

Enjoyed it; lyrically interesting.

Veramente bellino, finalmente uno stile in cui mi riconosco

Probably my favourite band to hail from New York. Good to hear an earlier album than I'd known previously. Good stuff.

Solid

Funky, mildly wacky, old school, 70s

Did not expect to like this

I love Talking Heads, this is not my favorite album by them though. I'd give it 3.5 if I could

After a string of mediocre albums, it was refreshing to get this funky, cool, solid piece of art. Life During Wartime is a banger. The rest is slinky, a bit tense and slightly jittery. David Byrne can convey awkwardness and menace in the same song. Good stuff.

An incredibly groovy and fun record that builds on the great sound of their first two and pushes it into a more experimental territory, and features some of Byrne’s most eccentric lyrics (I’m looking at you, Animals). The closer Drugs is probably the weakest song on the album and is a bit anticlimactic, and really the only thing holding it back from a perfect rating

Pretty awesome album but a step below “remain in light” and “stop making sense” so like a 4.3/5

The best kind of weird

This is a solid album. Lots of complexity and Heaven is a beautiful song. Probably #3 of Talking Heads albums for me but that's a solid 3 albums. I think this album lacks some cohesion that other works have for them.

Last one through the door before "Remain in Light" kicks them into transcendence. Pretty good, but suffers a bit from the same issue as "Speaking in Tongues," where all the live versions of the songs on here are not just better than the originals, but completely blow them out of the water

David Byrne is still a genius.

Air.

Classic sound i feel

Mostly excellent

Not as good, nor as well produced as Remain In Light, but still fantastic.

Magical and confusingly interesting

The result of a quirky, eclectic band meeting a quirky, eclectic producer and bringing out the best of themselves. Odd rhythms, a range of subjects and characters in the songs and yet you can't help wanting to dance. Even if you may look like you're having a seizure, it's the coolest seizure you'll ever have. Best Tracks: I Zimbra; Cities; Life During Wartime.

About as high as one of my 3.5’s can be. 3.5/5

Really great album, but not the best by Talking Heads. I’m waiting to get Speaking in Tongues and Remain in Light so I can give them both 5 stars.

I hadn't listened to this one before, but I really enjoyed it. Not every track is a home run, but there are a bunch of great ones. You're either into Talking Heads or you're not, I find. Not many casual fans of this band.

Very good, I need more than 24 hours to really develop a fuller opinion.

Ooh yes modest fan of this one. This style of funk sort of post punk is tight. Nearly every song on here is too-the-point and nice

Me gusta ésta banda

More Talking Heads!!

Did they make a bad album? Classics Cities, Life During Wartime, Heaven.

An eclectic sound for the ‘70s but at the same time, very fitting for the time. Their creativity shines throughout the album and makes for a fun and groovy time. I think this is an album that deserves multiple listens before judging

Just feels nice to listen to

Air.

Seems quite original and has influenced a lot of music ever since.

Fun

Didn't get a chance to really analyze but I was listening to this while cooking some pork tenderloin. It had me moving out there. Best sear on pork I’ve ever done and I couldn’t have done it without David Byrne as my companion throughout.

A vision of music to come. Eno and Byrne in virtuous form.

More a collection of sound experiments than I remembered, though Byrne’s unique repetition of certain sounds and phrases is entrancing — “tune this - elec - tric - gui - tar.” “Life During Wartime” and “Memories Can Wait” could carry the worst of albums. Fortunately, Fear of Music is not that.

I’ve always been a Talking Heads fan but I don’t know much beyond the hits and Little Creatures so this is a good choice. Aptly named, cuz these songs are kinda scary and disconcerting. Heaven is a great homage to Bowie. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for this on vinyl. Tracks added to Spotify: 3

I liked it a lot but not as much as Remain in Light! :)

Great album, glad I finally listened. Life In wartime and heaven are both amazing songs, but I think their live performances on stop making sense are better

Original and energetic

The Talking Heads are weirdly delicious. I like a lot of their songs, but haven't really put them into my rotation...that might change now!

Talking Heads always deliver interesting rhythm, this album is no exception. Very creative but at times monotonous.

Day2- i wish i was introduced to the talking heads when i was younger. such a cool album

Pretty fun talking heads classic.

Innovative music. Lyrics make one think. Popular in the early 80s

I've slightly forgotten what I thought of this - it's talking heads so obviously I liked it but I don't remember any particular songs so it will go in the strong 4 category

Ironic that I start this project (one where I will discover new music) with an album I already have heard many times from a band I love. I do feel this is one of their weaker albums in terms of entertainment value. While it’s definitely progressive and shows the band at or near their peak of creativity and originality, that doesn’t mean it’s entertaining or capable of eliciting an emotional response, personal connection, or overt reaction other than “huh, that was cool.”

anders aber cool

Not something I would usually listen to but otherwise mostly enjoyable.

Banger after banger. Made me want to listen to more talking Heads.

David Byrne loves disco

Interesting listen. Did not think I would enjoy but I would listen to it again.

It’s so crazy that this is from the 70s!

Nice album.

I hope there are at least two more albums from these guys on this list. Personally Little Creatures Remain in Light and Speaking In Tongues are all superior albums. Love these guys those and also one of my fav tracks from them on here.

The Talking Heads know what they're about. Many of these songs are among the Talking Headiest of the Talking Heads' repertoire.

The Talking Heads love making generally fine albums with a couple absolute bangers on them forcing me to give it 4 stars every time

This one was a grower for sure. not the immediate funk of remain in light, but has become my second favorite from them. I zimbra, life during wartime, and cities are just amazing avant garde dance tunes. I've head them referred to as mutant disco and I couldn't agree more.

I have to listen to this record several more times. But after just two tracks I can already sense a tremendous depth in the songs. It's probably a record that you have to have.

This ain't no party; this ain't no disco; this ain't no foolin' around. Good album. Not my favorite Talking Heads album, but you can't beat some of these tunes: Heaven, Life in Wartime, Air.

Pretty classic TH, I give it 4 stars

Beautiful songs, easy to listen to but stylish and cool

I Zimbra, the opening track here, exemplifies everything Talking Heads really are and so much so than the few overplayed singles which made them famous. Tina Weymouth’s bass holds it all together. A dance track but with African rhythm. But not tribal, more artistic. Undeniably brilliant all the same. And then the pop sensibility kicks in on Mind and, despite the unwelcoming old style computer screen sleeve, we are confident progressive pop boundaries will be pushed. It’s edgy, more rhythmic than melodic but, in the main, pulsating. There are no hits per se here but the ensemble are creatively working towards what will be their eventual masterpiece, Remain in the Lighr. Essential listening. Cutting edge New York New Wave 1979.

Love some much on this album, but this lacks a little to put it in the category with Speaking in Tongues or Remain in Light. Still a great album. 4/5 Will listen again

A blend of showy dance music and some thought provoking lyricism. Dave Byrne’s quirky style may precede the band, but it doesn’t quite define it. The melodic chorus and sporadic guitar licks accompanying the chanting hooks are what serve the creation of an interesting and eclectic rock-blend. This is the type of music that you can’t not pay attention to, it’s too strange, and ultimately too intriguing to not give a chance, for better or worse. It’s definitely a better for me.

Super solid Talking Heads album. I always love David Byrne's vocal mixing on his projects. He's like a megaphone wielding orator screaming in the streets. The production is also very well done. Bringing us into the 80s pop scene.