Reviews (page 5 of 15)
bah franchement c'est top, bien plus de supers titres que dans celui des tetes
Remain in Light and Speaking in tongues exist
I liked it!
already listened to this one before, inspired me to start playing bass and guitar lol track 1: great opening track track 2: love the guitar on this part track 3: nothing to hate on in this track, love the drums track 4: love the vocals a lot track 5: good track, maybe my least favorite though track 6: love the feel, amazing bassline track 7: great track 8: great track 9: great track 10: my favorite track, bass line was always stuck in my head track 11: great
This one was good!
Incredible. Uh oh love comes to town and no compassion, and obviously Psycho killer are top 3. great for when I’m in a funky music mood and I imagine it’s awesome with some b-52‘s
it was okay, psycho killer is obviously the star of the album
I like a lot of Talking Heads, but I don't have any albums that I love. Hate to be an Alan Partridge, but if you asked me for my favourite Talking Heads album I'd have to say 'The Best of Talking Heads'
Love almost every song. Lifts you with happiness and creativity. Sounds so ordinary and original at the same time. Amazing songs sounding so young and inexperienced yet years beyond what they had lived until then. Can you tell Talking Heads are one of my favorites?
Not as good as the few following albums with their world influences but still a great influential record that stands out from pretty much everything else at the time.
Undeniably the best Talking Heads album.
I enjoyed this one. I could see myself holed up in a smoky bar listening to their jangly guitars and happy vibe. I detected hints of Madness, just with guitars instead of brass, but Talking Heads would probably have predated them.
This is an immediately recognizable record, and that alone puts it in rare company. A few bars in, even without vocals, you know exactly who this is. The rhythms, the clipped guitar parts, the tense-but-controlled bass lines. It all moves with a distinct gait that no other band quite matches. What’s striking is how fully formed this feels for a debut. There’s no sense of a group still finding its voice. The aesthetic, the restraint, the nervous energy. It’s all already there. The music is smart, angular, and carefully assembled without feeling academic or showy. David Byrne’s voice will never be mistaken for a traditional strength, but it doesn’t need to be. It works because it’s precise and singular, fitting the songs rather than trying to elevate them through power or emotion. The result is something more observational than expressive, which keeps the album slightly at arm’s length emotionally. There’s plenty to admire here, and moments that truly stand out, none more than “Psycho Killer,” which distills the band’s tension and control into a perfect statement. While this doesn’t quite move me emotionally enough to reach five-star territory, it’s undeniably impressive. A confident, distinctive debut that earns its place through identity and execution rather than emotional force.
Some debut albums are instant classics, and you see artists struggle to match the heights of their first album (see The Strokes). Some debut albums are a mess, with artists still trying to find their sound (see Bowie). This one is right in the middle. The Talking Heads unique sound is pretty much fully formed - this has all the trademarks of what makes their music so great. But for the most part it's just pretty good rather than the greatness that their future albums would bring. Except for Psycho Killer, that's an undeniable classic.
Definately a post-punk feel to this one, impressive given Never Mind the Bollocks wouldn't be released for another month or so. Perhaps as a result, lacking a little of the variety that subsequent releases would have, but still a very good listen.
Review - a banging debut, although no where near as good as they'd end up 3-4 albums later. The most conventional TH album? Probably a safe assessment. Not bad. But not as interesting as they'd go on to be. Byrne's lyrics are still just as out there and his voice is expressive but he's not quite figured it out as well as he later would. Rating - 7.5/10 Need to listen? YES
Debut TH, Still finding their way Tentative decisions No compassion Psycho killer Pulled up
I like this, don't love it. David Byrne is an icon and seems genuinely cool. I like their aesthetic and the undeniable fact that they do their own thing. You can't mistake them for anything else. Still, I rarely go for the Talking heads, something just doesn't feel right, maybe you had to be there. I like this album more than their others that I've listened to in their entirety. It has a hint more of their punk roots coming through. 4 stars, seems essential but just misses for me
Quirky fun. They developed their sound on later albums, but Psycho Killer is an all-timer for sure. 7/10
I usually only like two songs on a Talking Heads album. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed most of this album, shocking for a debut album. I enjoyed the disco type subtleties of the songs.
for a debut album, this was a great listen. quirky & fun, not long enough to get bored. and Psycho Killer-great track
Why does he make that weird screaming sound so much
Pretty chill, love Psycho killer so much it didn't bother me it was on twice. Did get a bit samey at the end.
The bassline for Psycho Killer alone is enough to make the record a min 4*
“My building has every convenience It’s gonna make life easy for me It’s gonna be easy to get things done I will relax along with my loved ones” Talking Heads’ debut is raw and unfocused compared to their later more critically well regarded albums. You can feel all the pieces here that the band would eventually put together to produce the undisputed high point in their discography “Remain In Light”. The themes of every day mundanity on “Don’t Worry About the Government” actually feel like a direct precursor to “Once In A Lifetime”. David Byrne is as theatrical and quirky as ever and we are gifted one of the band’s biggest hits in “Psycho Killer”. ‘77 does lose me in places around the halfway mark where some stuff feels a bit too much like filler and you can tell Talking Heads were still trying to figure themselves out. Still though a very good album that puts the rest of their career into context.
love this one
A bit repetitive, but not a bad thing
PSYCHO KILLER! Qu'est-ce que c'est??
The best thing about Talking Heads’ debut is how confident the band are in their unique sound. David Byrne wastes no time testing the waters. He’s here to tell us about all about the book he read. It’s a fantastic first outing for a band that would only grow weirder and more self assured with time. Favourite tracks are Don’t Worry About the Goverment and Psycho Killer. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not their best, but their first!!
Great album by a great band! I love the talking heads and have forever! They have so many classic songs and this album shows that!
Primera vez que lo escucho y fue una gran sorpresa. 4.4
not my favorite TH album. some good tracks and skippers. psycho killer, don’t worry about the government, love > building on fire, thank you for sending me an angel.
Kellemes up-beat 70-es évek. Feldobja az ember napját és végtelen lazaságot kölcsönöz. Nem hallgattam előtte Talking Headset. A Psycho Killert ismertem, de nem tudtam, hogy ezen az albumon van.
8/10
1. 6/10 2. 7/10 3. 8/10 4. 7/10 5. 7/10 6. 8/10 7. 8/10 8. 9/10 9. 8/10 10. 9/10 11. 10/10 4/5
Talking Heads – Talking Heads '77 Talking Heads '77 is a solid, high-energy debut that thrives on its unique sense of "funkiness and groove." Unlike the cluttered production of other eras, this album feels "carefree" and precise, using clean instrumentation to create a "sophisticated" art-rock atmosphere. Standout tracks like "Don’t Worry About the Government" and "The Book I Read" showcase the band’s ability to blend catchy melodies with an "eerie," slightly off-kilter perspective. Of course, "Psycho Killer" remains the "immaculate" peak of the record, anchoring a body of work that is as fun as it is technically sharp. A great "all ears" experience that balances art-house intellect with a danceable, rhythmic heart.
No one does it like this anymore
I did a deep dive on the Talking Heads a few months ago and I really enjoyed what heard. Truly a revolutionary musical group that was always pushing the boundaries. Good stuff.
A classic album and for a reason. Such a good tome, a super interesting listen and some great hooks - the bassline for Psycho Killer is just chefs kiss and an all-time great.
Second TH album suggested here. Even though is way more aligned with my personal taste, is too experimental and dissonant to my ears. Psycho killer is a hit, not doubt.
Psycho killer is an all time great but the rest of the album leaves me wanting a little more. Psycho killer bumps it to a 4
Today I found out that David Byrne is a huge bike dork and cycling advocate and nothing has surprised me less.
Lowkey twitchy.
- écoute très agréable - album assez "simple", pas de gros highlight mais un très bon ensemble - aucun raté visible - 3.5/5
Not as interesting as later Talking Heads but a good start. Basically every song that’s on Stop Making Sense is better on Stop Making Sense. Ditto for American Utopia
What a fun version of Psycho Killer!
Very fun & interesting album
Could do with a remaster for better audio experience but the songs are nice listening and have a good vibe
vale aclarar q no soy muy fanatica del este genero peroooo le doy una oportunidad ;3 track 1: me gusta el tururutu del coro, la fuerza del puente tmb me gusta, LOVE COMES TO TOWNN, im not the boring people you read on books track 2: la parte instrumental esta increible, ns pq me acuerda a las escenas de los vaqueros KSJKL, el minuto 2:10 ola ?? maravilloso, im still thinking abt my friends too track 3: suena como una marcha JAJAJ, el cambio esta increible, i wanna talk track 4: q lindo suena el coro, me gusta como poco a poco se construye la cancion pq el principio es medio chill y aunque el final no es explosivo y se nota un cambio track 5: al final quien era ?? ok era yo, m gustan las guitarras, who who who track 6: el cambio en el coro, p o d e r, el instrumental y la parte vocal reflejan como ese overwhelming frente a los problemas, ese caos mental talvez ???, cada uno se hace cargo q lo q hace en resumen, 3:20 lo mejor del album si señor best one track 7: me gusta como dice book of read letters ok, OOO LIVING IN THE FUTUREEE, el piano, NANANANA track 8: pesaaa, siento q es un tema donde resalta el sarcasmo, desde la letra, hasta el instrumental donde se percibe un poco comico ??, no haciendo burla btw track 9: first week, the sax ?? niceee track 10: medio famosilla en tiktok, me gusta el bajo del inicio, esta cancion no seria nada sin el bajo y bateria, fafafafafa track 11: turuturutu (sonido de guitarra), PULL ME UP UP UP, realmente nada q no haya dicho antes uwu se alguna manera resalta la parte instrumental y vocal q en conjunto funcionan increible, sin una parte no funcionaria la otra me gusta q implementan el piano pero las guitarras son las estrellas de este album me gusta cuando en la musica la parte instrumental y vocal (especificamente las bases de estos generos) se fusionan lo dejan q cada parte brille, no me explico pero se demuestra en No Compassion kudos para el vocalista ya q hace q no se sienta aburrido el album con diferentes notas y tonos q usa, al repetir los coros la gran mayoria se diferencian ya q usa tonos mas altos o bajos es un album q se siente muy natural, q eso si tiene un trabajo detras GRANDISIMO, pero no se siente se esa manera, no se siente pesado, es bastante notorio el cariño con el q se trabajo en este album, añadiendo tmb el gran trabajo del vocalista q le añade una personalidad increible a este trabajo
1. Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town (7.5/10) 2. New Feeling (8/10) 3. Tentative Decisions (7/10) 4. Happy Day (7/10) 5. Who Is It? (8.5/10) 6. No Compassion (9/10) 7. The Book I Read (9/10) 8. Don't Worry About the Government (8/10) 9. First Week/Last Week… Carefree (8/10) 10. Psycho Killer (9.5/10) 11. Pulled Up (8.5/10)
idk it was good nothing more to say ngl
insane debut
They are better when they are less frantic
This is not their best album, but it's still a great album. Talking Heads appeared fully formed, like Athena from Zeus's skull. It's an unmistakable, indescribable sound.
great fun album , really liked it
Upbeat
I like the sound but I think from what I know of their discography I prefer the later stuff. Great debut though
The Heads do be Talking in 1977. Great debut record! I love Remain in Light and Speaking in Tongues, but had yet to fully listen to their first album.
Talking Headsは1-4枚目までは以前に聞いたことがあるバンド。 ニューウェーヴに自分が求めているアヴァンギャルドさが十分ではなくて、若干古臭い音に聞こえるので、ファーストアルバムとしては完成度は高いと思うけどそんなに好きではないアルバム。
Right from the jump I really enjoy this. It’s a crisp sound instrumentally juxtaposed with irregular (there’s a better word for that) pauses, quick guitar strumming, idk there’s a uniqueness to the sound juxtaposed with David Byrne’s shaky and weird vocals. It’s fun and interesting with some classic songs. What’s not to like really. Would definitely come back to this!
Great 👍
A pretty solid album all the way through.
own
Good reminds me of the cadence of part time poets
Nervy, clever, and wonderfully off balance. Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: This album feels twitchy and smart, full of anxious energy and strange charm. It is minimalist but sharp, like brainy punk with a nervous smile. Favorite Track: Psycho Killer. Catchy, tense, and weird in exactly the right way.
Okay, maybe not exactly my style but positive vibes. Maybe re-listen during summer months!
1st time listening to the album. Saved some tracks
Ba ba ba ba...4.
Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Great Talking Heads album, they have such a unique sound. Highlights: "Once in a Lifetime" and "Houses in Motion"
liked but also some songs were just slow
4.5/5
First album from the Talking Heads, and I'm feeling a closer connection (music-wise) with bands like Devo or Band of Four. Lyrics are already as dorky/genius as they would be all the way to "Road to Nowhere" and some of the True Stories songs. Again, not my fave from the band, but still plenty good with this one! Pleasant to re-visit.
What a great debut album.
David Byrne and co. built a masterclass of an album!
This was better than the last TH album we listened to. I don't know what I gave it, but this is getting a 4 and no further review.
Like with Sonic Youth, they have have picked my two favorite Talking Heads records. It’s not a perfect album but it has a ton of cool songs and you get a glimpse into where they are eventually going.
4/5 - A “dance” album by art nerds in 1977. It’s kind of a slight collection of tracks, but it all makes sense (npi) as their debut. You can hear their future with these quirky songs. If you don’t like Byrne’s voice, I get it. If you don’t like Weymouth’s bass lines, then I can’t help you.
I was expecting more from the first three tracks, but then came, happy days, who is it, pyscho killer and pulled up (tracks 4, 5, 10, 11) which were refreshing, interesting and cool tunes, nice way to finish the albums too.
This was a fun dancey album!
What a debut…
Songs for the autist. 3.5/5
Yep. 4/5
I love a satire album that doesn’t sound bad just to make fun of you for listening to it in the first place. Good music can still be satirical, what a concept!
Bueno, tiene psycho killer, así que ya merece un lugar en mi lista, pero el resto del disco, la verdad, está muy bueno.
A great punk-funk debut album from Talking Heads. I am a big TH fan and I think this is a great start to a great discography. It isn't my favorite album but it does have a handful of hits. The whole album has a great groove to it.
It’s always so impressive to hear a band sound fully realized in its debut album. I love listening to the Talking Heads and going through more of their catalog. Best Track: Pulled Up
Always been a fan of the talking heads
Ok ok
Very funzy
Very good debut album, I like the focus on straight New Wave before the experimentation seen on later albums
Easy pleasy Bustamove Multihitter Singalong
Meio mais ou menos, me da uma vibe de que ta tentando demais
Like a more relaxed take than their later work. Into it.
싸이코킬러~
sehr mitreisender beat, fällt schwer still zu sitzen würde es auf jeden fall öfters hören,
Fresh, alive, moving. 1977 album with the sound of the 80s. Hearing sounds and songwriting that probably inspired a lot of future bands, sioxsie and the banshees and peter Gabriel off the top of my head. The kind of album that grows on you more with each listen. Plus it has psycho killer.
Great album. I think it works really well together and every song has its place and adds to the vibe. Although Psycho Killer is the big hit, I personally prefer No Compassion. The best track on the album, in my opinion. Epic instrumentals and great vocals. Very short album as well, but packs a punch.
Were it not for this album project I would not have discovered Talking Heads. I just love this band. David Byrne is so strangely magnetic. Wild, odd, & unbridled. What a unique talent and creator. They stand alone in defining their own sound.
Not the best Talking Heads record, but it’s still very very good.
Cool that these songs are probably record with minimal overdubs compared to their later music.
Talking Heads strike again. I liked this album slightly more than Fear of Music. Like Fear of Music, it has a very strong opening track (Uh Oh Love Comes to Town and that steel drum is perfect). Top tracks: Uh-Oh Love Comes to Town, New Feeling, Psycho Killer, Pulled Up
I love a bit of Talking Heads. Their debut isn't their best work for me, although it does have Psycho Killer, one of my favourites. The rest is good, but not as good as the stuff they did when Eno started working with them.
Its daring, without being too complicated. It is expressive without being too deep. It has a shallow cynism but still manages to have a frightening intensity. I have the difficulty to really appreciate the music fully, but still craving to comprehend it and therefore ending up appreciating it. The inarticulated trying to find it's way to be comprehended. I guess thats punk?
I was surprised by how many of these songs I already know - Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town, Happy Day, Psycho Killer, Pulled Up - I had no idea all those came from Talking Heads debut album. I really enjoyed listening to it all the way through.
No. 39 Great album. Love the steel drums. Psycho Killer and The Book I Read are my favorites off the album.
8.5/10
Very strong debut album through and through. Psycho Killer and the first song are definitely standouts, but overall there’s nothing very big about this album. If anything, it sets the foundation of what’s to come with some odd songs and a driving energy throughout. Fun listen.
It feels like you’re listening to David Byrne’s inner monologue on this album, in all its anxious glory. The drums and bass are a nervous heartbeat in sync with the agitated vocals, so when you hear the steel drums or marimba on some tracks it’s a jolt. I don’t warm to this album on initially, but by the time Psycho Killer game on I couldn’t help dancing a little. It’s funny to think Talking Heads were considered punk - performing at CBGBs and supporting the Ramones - there’s a lot more going on in their songs apart from rage and angst.
Amazing album, I really love early Talking Heads. Same quirky band just a bit more raw.
Какой-то весь альбом пресный по сравнению с той самой песней
I'd never heard of Talking Heads going in to my listen. 'Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town' is a FANTASTIC way to announce yourself and your sound. 'The Book I Read' was the one to draw me back to the album, and 'Psycho Killer' - SMASH HIT. It was so good I thought I must've heard it before. Really enjoyed that ❤️
Just so great. It just is good fun, touching in some places and still holds up nearly 50 years later. I don’t even think it’s my favourite talking heads album but it’s just so good. Would give 4.5 if I could.
Yeah this is great, just feels alive. Enjoyed every track on it. Psycho Killer I've heard before like everyone else but otherwise all new to me. I would listen again.
Talking Heads sounding incredibly like Talking Heads.
As a career civil servant, I really appreciate David Byrne’s support. It’s been a helluva year but I am working hard and trying to be strong.
9/10
Loved the sound it’s rather offbeat in a great way
Įdomus. Nieko blogo negaliu pasakyti. Pati skaniausia vis tiek psycho killer.
This one's always felt extremely similar to Marquee Moon for me, albeit less ambitious. I don't really think the ambition in Marquee Moon works for me though, so I've gotta go with this one, especially considering it's got more pop appeal. It sounds a lot more skeletal than the songs they'd be best known for, but I really love this version of Talking Heads with these intentionally anodyne lyrics about favorite laws and all that. While it's admittedly done better on the first disc of The Name of This Band is Talking Heads, I'm never going to say no to this one.
I liked this better than their later, more experimental albums. 4/5
low 4 its hard to judge the bands you like. i was a bit disappointed by this, but it being the talking heads it was still better then most.
fun stuff
Always feel like I should like talking heads more than I do, but this is still great
Yummy stuff. One of the all-time faves. 6th form drives in Fernando with Hope vibes.
Definitely a fun album, love the Talking Heads. Though, I always feel like I really need to be in the right mood to listen to David Byrne's vocals.
pretty good
Always love me some David Byrne. I didn't find this one quite as compelling as some of their later projects, but even then it's still a good mix of that delirious, trance inducing sound.
Talking Heads are the only band/artist/whatever whose entire discography I own. They're kinda like the Seinfeld of pop music, right down to the sick bass lines and all the subsequent rip-offs that make them feel less revolutionary to the uninformed. Furthering my war on asinine genre classifications, I want to question how this can be considered post-punk / new wave right in the middle of the first wave of punk; this album predates Never Mind the Bollocks by a month. There's some early installment weirdness in 77 in that they haven't yet adopted the funk/African sound that made them into icons. The lyrics are still the same type of thing that David Byrne would be putting out years later up to and including his most recent album, but instrumentally for all intents and purposes, this is a pretty straightforward rock album that actually makes sense as having come out of a CBGB band. "Psycho Killer" gets a ton of love obviously but my favorite on this album has always been "Don't Worry About the Government." So much of the appeal of this band is the lyrics about mundane shit, like buildings and food -- explorations they would further in their second LP, More Songs About Buildings and Food.
After opening for the Ramones in NYC’s punk scene in 1975 — rumored because they thought Talking Heads sucked and it’d make them look better — the band certainly left an impression. “A little-boy-lost-at-the-zoo voice and the demeanor of someone’s who’s spent the last half hour whirling around in a spin dryer.” wrote music critic James Wolcott of David Byrne at these early shows. Talking Heads aren’t for everyone! If you can’t stand this band, Walcott’s quote might capture your feelings. It conversely captures a key part of why Talking Heads are so adored. Wolcott continues that Talking Heads were “presenting a banal facade under which run ripples of frustration and squalls of violence.” Aha, now we’re narrowing in on what this debut record is all about! Sure, a couple of these tracks come across corny or too kooky to be taken seriously. I don’t love every moment of this one. But at this album’s core is a rebellious spirit, grappling with the big questions and confusions of being human. Instead of punk’s rapid, distorted chords are crisp, funky rhythms — some of my favorite guitar riffs. Talking Heads are wonderfully bizarre because of how much expression is packed into their upbeat sound, odd lyrics, and strange stage performance.
A nice treat for today, it’s not my favourite Talking Heads album but I’m still very fond of it and welcome another chance to give it a spin. There’s something about the album artwork that I really love, it’s just incredibly simple yet iconic, as is the album title and that’s something that characterises the album. It is accomplished and confident, yet it’s a debut album from a band still finding their feet and would go on to better things.
Enjoying this very British indie sound! The threads through to the post punk of early 2000s is easy to spot
This album is great. I've enjoyed it so much and the songs are all so good. It's that good that it even feels short. However, sometimes it needs something more, more great songs to make me think it's awesome. This album demonstrates how good Talking Heads are but... I still need something else. I don't know what but, even if I think everything here is very good, I'm not that convinced of loving it. So, it's great, for sure, but I'll need something more to say "I love it".
This album is very whimsical and fun. Good one to put on if I need to lighten the mood or add some pep to my step. 3.5/5
Really good album, and made me realize I only really know Fear of Music + Remain in Light. I think I like this more than Fear of Music though. I'll have to fill in more of my Talking Heads gaps. 3.75/5
Talking Heads are one of those groups I seem to be liking more and more as I keep exploring their work. This has got to be the best album of theirs I've listened thus far, which makes me excited for the others that are even more critically acclaimed.
Oh those Wacky Talking heads and their funky style. 7/10
It’s interesting to me how different bands/artists will hit different depending on what age or phase of life you’re in. The Talking Heads have become one of my favorite bands since hitting age 50, even though I mostly ignored them for the bulk of my life. This is a great album. It’s pretty sophisticated for what was I think their debut, and filled with the catchy well-paced funky that would define them in moving forward. If you’re 50 and you don’t listen to The Talking Heads, now’s your chance to feel cool again without making it weird.
Lacks the diversity their later albums have, but still a great album. 8/10 Favourite track: Psycho Killer
I'd only heard "Psychokiller" before but the whole album was interesting and a lot of fun. Glad to have heard more of this band.
Excellent debut album, which is only slightly weaker in the context of what the Heads would go onto do. It’s just a bit more straightforward and conventional compared to what came a few years later.
Excellent
1977, quelle putain d'année. Le punk a (symboliquement) tout pété à Londres, mais à New York, le cadavre du rock se fait autopsier avec une précision clinique dans un club poisseux nommé le CBGB. D'un côté, t'as les Ramones qui jouent plus vite que leur ombre, une force brute. De l'autre, Television qui récite de la poésie symboliste sur des guitares enchevêtrées. Et puis, il y a... eux. Les Talking Heads. Sur le papier, ils n'ont rien à foutre là. Ils ressemblent à des étudiants en sociologie qui se seraient trompés de soirée. Pas de cuir, pas de chaînes, pas de cheveux décolorés à l'urine. Juste des polos, des pantalons un peu trop courts, et une coupe de cheveux qui crie "j'ai un abonnement à la bibliothèque". Et pourtant "Talking Heads: 77", leur premier album, est peut-être l'un des disques les plus "punk" de l'époque, si on définit le punk comme un refus radical des conventions établies. Car les Talking Heads, en 1977, ne refusent pas seulement le rock progressif ou les dinosaures des stades ; ils refusent le cool. Ils refusent le mythe du rockeur bandant, du rebelle sans cause. David Byrne, c'est l'anti-Jim Morrison, il n'est pas le "Lizard King", il est le "Anxious Lizard". C'est un album qui suinte la nervosité, l'anxiété sociale, le malaise d'être dans sa propre peau. C'est le son de quatre intellos coincés du cul qui essaient de danser, et qui, ce faisant, inventent une nouvelle façon de bouger. Je tiens à avouer que j'ai toujours eu un petit problème avec le son "funk" des Talking Heads. Ce virage vers les rythmes élastiques et les "grooves" un peu trop évidents a toujours tendance à me faire grincer des dents. J'aime ma musique blanche, froide et nerveuse (et rien qu'à voir la liste de mes groupes préférés on comprend de quoi je parle). C'est pourquoi "Talking Heads: 77" est si précieux. Car c'est l'album avant le funk. Oh, bien sûr, il y a des rythmes, mais ce n'est pas du James Brown. C'est sec, c'est tendu. La basse de Tina Weymouth est le héros méconnu de ce disque. Elle ne "groove" pas, elle ponctue. Elle est la ligne droite sur laquelle David Byrne peut s'agiter comme un épileptique sous électrochocs. C'est une basse post-punk avant même que le terme n'existe, jouée avec une économie qui fait passer Peter Hook pour un guitar-hero bavard. "Talking Heads: 77" est l'album le moins "funk" de leur discographie, et c'est ce qui lui donne cette pureté, cette tension inimitable. C'est l'album que Joy Division aurait pu faire s'ils avaient grandi en banlieue américaine plutôt qu'à Manchester et s'ils avaient préféré l'art conceptuel à la littérature de la dépression. C'est un disque qui sonne propre. Putain, que c'est propre, la production est minimaliste, presque clinique. On est loin de la chaleur baveuse du blues-rock. Ici, tout est à sa place, chaque coup de caisse claire de Chris Frantz est chirurgical, chaque note de clavier de Jerry Harrison est un petit coup d'épingle dans le tissu sonore. Et puis il y a David Byrne. Ce mec, c'est l'incarnation de l'inconfort. Il ne chante pas, il glapit, il questionne, il panique. Quand il chante "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town", ça ne sonne pas comme une célébration, ça sonne comme une alerte incendie. L'amour n'est pas un sentiment romantique, c'est un problème, un truc qui vient foutre le bordel dans une routine bien huilée. Sur "New Feeling", il décrit une sensation physique avec une précision dérangeante, comme un patient décrivant ses symptômes à un médecin. C'est de l'art-rock, oui, mais c'est surtout de l'art-névrose. Et bien sûr, il y a "Psycho Killer". C'est LE morceau, celui qui les a mis sur la carte. C'est le tube parfait pour un album de post-punk intello. Une ligne de basse qui rentre dans le crâne pour ne plus jamais en sortir, cette rupture de rythme, et bien sûr, ce passage en français qui a dû faire se pâmer toutes les étudiantes en art de New York. "Psycho Killer, qu'est-ce que c'est ? Fa-fa-fa-fa...". C'est brillant parce que c'est à la fois terrifiant et complètement ridicule. C'est du "slasher movie" vu par un étudiant en sémiotique. Mais l'album ne se résume pas à ça. "Pulled Up" est une décharge de deux minutes de pure énergie nerveuse. "The Book I Read" est ce qui se rapproche le plus d'une chanson d'amour, mais même là, c'est l'amour pour un concept (le livre) plutôt que pour une personne. Ce disque capture un moment très précis : la fin de l'innocence hippie et le début de l'ère moderne, anxieuse, urbaine. C'est un album qui parle de bâtiments, de nourriture ("More Songs About Buildings and Food" viendra juste après, comme un aveu), de communication défaillante et de malaises. Je lui mets 4 sur 5, soit la même note que "Fear of Music". Car "Fear of Music" a des sommets plus hauts (bon sang, "Life During Wartime"...), mais il souffre aussi de ce "funk" que je pointe du doigt, cette production d'Eno qui commence à prendre le dessus. "Talking Heads: 77" est plus cohérent dans sa blancheur, dans sa tension. "More Songs About Buildings and Food" (un 3/5) est l'entre-deux, l'album où Eno prend ses marques et où le funk commence à diluer la névrose. "Talking Heads: 77" est le code source, c'est l'album le plus "Talking Heads" des Talking Heads. C'est le son de quatre cerveaux brillants en surchauffe dans une petite pièce, essayant de ne pas se toucher. Pour un mec comme moi, né en 1970 et biberonné au post-punk, cet album n'est pas juste un disque. C'est une pièce à conviction, c'est la preuve que le rock n'avait pas besoin de "roots" boueuses pour être pertinent. Il pouvait être intelligent, propre, distant, et pourtant te frapper en plein plexus. Un 4/5 solide ce n'est pas un chef-d'œuvre parfait (il est parfois un peu trop maniéré, un peu trop "école d'art"), mais une fondation indispensable. Car sans "Talking Heads: 77", pas de Pixies (que j'aime tant), pas de Pavement, pas de rock "indie" bizarre et intelligent. C'est le patient zéro de tout ce qu'on aime.
Movano, HDH/Umgebung, Deutschland. Fantastische Platte!
Wow! This is an incredibly strong debut! The band gels so perfectly and I'd have an easier time believing that this was their fifth or sixth studio album together, as it's just so solid. And talk about influential?! So many bands and styles took ideas from Talking Heads. Favorite tracks: "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town" (fantastic opener), "No Compassion" (cool guitar work and a fun "Howard Dean-esque scream at 1:08), and "Psycho Killer" (classic banger).
I like talking heads music a lot but I just can't connect with it
Fun fun fun till daddy takes the big suit away. This record is nothing but a good time. Every song is fun and energetic and werid and wild. The heads just knew how to do it. It may not be my favorite of theirs but even if its not remain in light its still excellent. Its a pretty good sign when I save more than half the tracks. And even the ones I didnt save are all great songs. I just like it as a whole. Its worth your time
A really great album. To each their own, but I prefer it to their "masterpiece" Remain in Light. It sounds straightforward yet so fresh and quirky with lots of great songs played in their characteristic angular and precise way of riffing through them, accompanied by David Byrne's idiosyncratic and complementary vocal chops. This one is less of that funky jive Talking Heads would be known for. Some might find it uninspired, but that concrete sound of the urban east coast jungle is just what I'm looking for. New Feeling and Pulled Up is that colorful, funky NYC sound that was brewing in the cracks of the CBGB stage.
Great debut from a classic band
There were definitely a few songs that saved this album
Strong first outing for a band, easy to see their talent and where it will take them. Highlights include New Feeling, No Compassion, Don’t Worry…, Pulled Up, and of course Psycho Killer.
Oh man so this was one of the first CDs I ever bought; my parents’ collection didn’t have it. It isn’t my favorite Talking Heads album but it’s one I’ve listened to a lot. I think the first half is distinctly weaker, but everything between “No Compassion” and “Psycho Killer” is 5/5. “No Compassion” is a particular favorite. Talking Heads in punk band mode, a really incisive song about performative outrage and self-pity. The list seems to have a bias towards debut albums, and it’s weird to me they didn’t include Little Creatures or Speaking In Tongues. Ah well, this is still great. And it’s a really cool look at their early sound.
So many great tracks. Funky and fun and a little cynical.
In the context of 1977, I can see how this debut was revolutionary. Nowadays it's definitely less impressive. I love talking heads I don't care
This album is exactly what you'd expect from Talking Heads: art rock with the distinctive, deeply uneasy vocal delivery of David Byrne. It mostly lacks the engaging African rhythms of Remain in Light, but has the song craft to make up for it. Ultimately, it's a pretty good first outing for the Heads, with one of their signature tracks in "Psycho Killer".
The last couple of Talking Heads albums I’ve listened to over the past year didn’t really do much for me, probably because I listened to them so much when I was younger that they’ve kind of lost their thrill. Plus, I’m discovering all kinds of new styles of music and bands these days. But as for this album, I have to admit I actually enjoyed listening to it from beginning to end for old time’s sake. One thing I’ve always appreciated about the Talking Heads is their bass. They really do a great job with strong bass guitar rhythms that stand out in their music.
It's good, but I don't think Talking Heads are totally my thing. This album has Psycho Killer, which is good, but the other ones were mostly just alright. Nothing on this album is bad, mind you, just not quite as good as this band had been hyped to me.
Great album! Amazing it’s their debut.
My first time listening to this album in its entirety. When it comes to Talking Heads, my go to is still Speaking in Tongues, but I did enjoy this.
As a die-hard Talking Heads fan, it’s awesome to look back at 77 especially knowing it came out the same year as Suicides self-titled debut. Both albums represent two sides of the same post-punk coin, but holy hell do Talking Heads CLEAR in every single way. Where Suicide went for abrasive minimalism and anxiety, 77 channels a more cerebral, artsy vibe. The band took punk’s spirit and reshaped it into something brighter and more inviting. Their use of tight, refreshing rhythms and lighter tones marked a clear break from the aggressive sound dominating the late 70s scene. It doesn’t feel repetitive or punishing it’s more alive, soothing even. Listening to this album is like taking a cold drink of water at 3 a.m. it’s familiar, crisp, and weirdly refreshing. It’s a short album, but rewards repeated listens. The more time you spend with it, and the more you understand its context, the more its uniqueness clicks. You can actually hear the band evolving throughout the record. During the making of the album, Talking Heads added a keyboardist and even paused recording to tour Europe with The Ramones. When they returned, their sound had matured noticeably. You can feel that change between early tracks like “New Feeling” and later ones like “Pulled Up.” The first feels quirky and angular, and the second, confident and fully realized. The songs aren’t listed in order of recording, but the progression in musicianship and tone is unmistakable. While 77 isn’t my personal favorite Talking Heads record (that honor goes to Speaking in Tongues from 1983, go listen to that one if you haven’t), it’s incredible to hear the foundation for Talking Heads forming in real time. This is where their journey began, and you can already sense the brilliance that would come later on. In my opinion 77 still holds up with zero skips. “Psycho Killer” is the obvious standout, and “Pulled Up” is absolutely a hidden gem. This album’s not leaving my rotation anytime soon.
Fire 🔥 Always a distinctive sound. Have not talked with the heads much in recent years, and there were plenty of songs I likely heard for the first time during this listen. Pleasurable listen and need to delve deeper into their discography.
Good album. Not my favorite from the Talking Heads. Good, funky stuff. 3.8/5
I really enjoyed this album. Going into it I only knew psycho killer obviously but all the songs were different sounding and fun. They have similar sound and flow to psycho killer but it was an overall solid album
Can never go wrong with Talking Heads
Into it.
286/1089 - Fitting to get Psycho Killer on Halloween. It'd be cool to get Thriller next year and the Specials the year after (the odds would be crazy). The Talking Heads in general are solid but a little repetitive. Definitely the case with this album.
You play talking heads, you know it's talking heads. Know what I'm saying? No one else sounds like them.
Great album. I liked the new music video for Psycho Killer. I had heard of the Talking Heads, but never jammed them before.
fundamental, como cualquier disco de TH. Bien es cierto que no es su mejor disco (Fear of music, Remain in Light, Speaking in Tongues...) pero todas sus señas de indentidad ya están en este debut (cambios de ritmo, voz irritante, letras chifladas, mucho ritmo, originalidad...) y sobre todo: Psycho Killer,
Solid
listened to again funky and cool
3.6
4.5/5
I like Talking Heads, but it seems like I cannot put their albums between my favorites. It's more like I love them as a concept
I expectedthat one, and I expected it to be the Psycho Killer show, a dreadful one track album, but to my delight, I was dead wrong. This is a great album full of melodies, of course, killer base lines, and a diversity of sounds I didn't expect and it was quite refreshing. Most songs on there still hold up, they have things to say and places to go, and they sound quite distinct from each other still creating a somewhat cohesive sound. That is hard to do on an album and in particular in your debut album. Of course Psycho Killer is that bitch, fun and with a base that is mandatory listen for any bass player. Pulled up for example is fun, (and the guitar lick sounds like a strokes one in a crazy way ? at 1:49). The Book I read, is very cool too. Overall the hooks are very strong, and I hear a lot of the music of today here, which can only speak of it's level of influence. However, they are minuses there, some lyrics are very icky. It is not a writer's album which is fine, but please don't be problematic. Tentative Decisions is a bit old fashioned in the stereotypes it carries, girls are having a hard time following "logic", and undecisive. (They should meet a libra man) It's an otherwise fine song but the sexism gets somewhat of a pass because of the printed lyric booklet that says "Repeat with reversal of gender" indicating it is somewhat satirical. It should have been said out loud though, and the satire make more clear. That is too me, a default of writing, cause just listening doesn't carry the message too clearly. That being said, the fact that there is even a bit of satire, for 77, it's better than most. I also have other issues, (like No compassion, screams privilege also) but those are minor and I choose to not focus too much on the messages. Overall it is fun and quite interesting as a debut album!
good for a talking heads album tbhj
i wasn’t that excited but then psycho killer happened
Love this
Easy 4 this
Great album. This would get 5 stars, but there are a couple better Talking Heads records, so I have to make a little room.
Don't worry about the government, psycho killer
It was good I listened to it twice without realizing it
Love
Great debut album. Enough of a Talking Heads ‘sound’ without being too repetitive. Will definitely come back to this one.
When Talking Heads first appeared I was 6 so I had no interest… then in the 80’s I knew of them as they had a few hits but again maybe didn’t really fit in with what I was listening too - I think maybe I wasn’t cool enough. It has taken till I am in my 50’s and a work colleague for me to finally see how damn good they are. There is better to come but this is a damn good start.
This album felt like they were just having fun, it’s playful, but pretty causal. That said I enjoyed most of it. I was already familiar with Psycho Killer which is a great song. These tracks have a similar sound to songs I love by The Proclaimers which came out about a decade after this album. I think this one is more of a 3.5/5 but I’ll round up since we can’t do half stars.
Some good songs, but not my favorite album
Classic, more raw sound of Talking Heads
Cool
7/10
Good early work where you can hear hints of great things to come.
What a great, distinctive, groovy, catchy, angular, intelligent, listenable debut. Really benefits from listening on headphones, without distractions. They pulled so many elements together into their own sound, and you can hear their influence in so many 'indie' guitar bands that followed. Great stuff, they are all on form and David is brilliant.
One of the best new-wave albums. Talking Heads go on to put out much better records though. 8/10
Fun and very progressive for the time of release
Right off the bat establishes Talking Heads style. Jam packed with ideas... they're a band that had something to say, mostly about nothing, but they said it haha. Psycho Killer banger. I'm glad I got to see David Byrne 2nd row at Shaky Knees one year!
Good
I rarely listen to this album listening to their later ones more often and "Stop Making Sense" most of all. It is an impressive debut. I would like to explore some of the songs again. I'm glad to have this opportunity.
I think that the Talking Heads really came into there own with their later works in the 80s, but this is a competent debut album that gives a taste of the unique, avant-garde sound the band would develop.
omg i like talking heads!! this album has psycho killer on it which i really like. I didnt love the album but it was better than a lot of things ive had so 4/5
*Talking Heads: 77* is widely regarded as one of the most striking and important debut albums of the punk and new wave era. While it emerged from the CBGB scene, the album doesn't sound like conventional punk rock, instead establishing a unique aesthetic of anxious energy, minimalist arrangements, and lyrical wit that would become the band's signature. | Aspect | Summary | | :--- | :--- | | **Overall Sound** | Minimalist, rhythm-driven, and tense, blending art-rock intellect with pop and funk sensibilities. | | **Lyrical Themes** | Urban anxiety, social alienation, analysis of everyday life, and love from an outsider's perspective. | | **Musical Style** | Jittery guitars, melodic and prominent bass lines, tight rhythms, and influences from pop, folk, soul, and funk. | | **Production** | Clean and lean, emphasizing the band's taut performances without excessive polish. | | **Key Influence** | Pioneered "alternative rock," proving that rock music could be intellectual, anxious, and danceable all at once. | ### 🎸 Music and Lyrics The music on *Talking Heads: 77* is defined by its taut, rhythm-centric sound. The rhythm section of Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Frantz (drums) provides a telepathic, indestructible foundation that is both funk-inflected and minimalist. David Byrne's guitar work is jittery and nervous, while Jerry Harrison's keyboards and secondary guitar fill out the arrangements without cluttering them. Lyrically, David Byrne serves as a uniquely idiosyncratic mouthpiece. He often sounds like an alien or a computer trying to process human emotions, approaching his subjects with a childlike, observational fascination. This results in a blend of sincerity and irony that is difficult to parse but endlessly compelling. Key tracks that highlight this interplay include: - **"Psycho Killer"**: The album's most famous track, featuring a sinister bassline and lyrics that explore a killer's psyche with a catchy, campy performance. - **"No Compassion"**: A track that lurches between tempos, with Byrne's narrator calmly rationalizing his refusal to empathize with others, embodying a cold, urban mindset. - **"The Book I Read"** and **"Don't Worry About the Government"**: These songs showcase Byrne's ability to write unconventional love songs and find optimism in bureaucratic systems, using clever metaphors free from cliché. - **"Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town"**: The opening track that introduces the band's quirky mix of pop, soul, and unexpected steel drums. ### ✨ Themes and Influence The album's central theme is **modern anxiety**, reflecting the gritty, tense atmosphere of 1970s New York. Byrne's lyrics frequently depict a narrator who is "tense and nervous and can't relax," analyzing social interactions and emotional responses from a detached, almost clinical perspective. This creates a pervasive feeling of an individual struggling to navigate society's expectations. In terms of influence, *Talking Heads: 77* was groundbreaking. It helped create the concept of "alternative rock" and proved that rock music didn't have to be about traditional rock and roll tropes. Its wiry, wired sound was a key influence on the post-punk and New Wave movements that followed. The album demonstrated that it was possible to be an "art" band while remaining accessible, intelligent, and danceable. ### 👍 Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **A Fully Formed Debut**: The band's unique sound and perspective are instantly recognizable and remarkably confident for a first album. - **Timeless Sound**: Nearly 50 years later, the album still sounds fresh, vital, and surprisingly contemporary. - **Intelligent and Danceable**: It successfully merges intellectual lyricism with rhythmic, infectious grooves that make you think and move. **Cons:** - **Hints of Future Brilliance**: Some critics note that the album can feel like a prelude to the band's more fully realized later masterpieces, with the sounds not always cohering with the holism of subsequent albums. - **A Singular, Acquired Taste**: David Byrne's vocal style—a wobbly, anxious yelp—and the album's pervasive nervous energy can be an acquired taste for some listeners. *Talking Heads: 77* is a landmark debut that captures a band already in full command of a unique and influential artistic voice. It remains an essential and electrifying listen.
At first, I wasn't a fan of this particular album, but the songs kept getting better as it progressed.
This was great. I have enjoyed each Talking Heads album I’ve had so far.
David Byrne, silly man. Love him.
Largely an absolute joy, and it feels harsh to not give it a five when I like every track. But Tentative Decisions is so genuinely irritating, and Happy Day I could change my mind on.
fantastic debut from talking heads
I think two of my biggest takeaways from this adventure so far are that I really enjoy David Bowie and Talking Heads now. This is the second Talking Heads album we've had, and it is yet again so unique. The bass lines are great. The identity is unapologetic which I love. It's quirky, but easy to listen to. Great vibes. I'll be excited to see another album by Talking Heads pop up again.
I really think talking heads gets a lot better after this, it still has some good songs in here but feels a bit too much of the same for me
Really interesting. David Byrne's band makes an impression with incredible bass guitar melodies, grappling lyrics that really reflect the time they were written. Themes of insecurity, independence, mocking productive capitalist stereotype of the 70's in NYC.
TALKING HEADS!!!!!!!!!
A pretty self-assured debut. A lot more hits than misses and I really enjoyed it. Favorites: New Feeling, Tentative Decisions, No Compassion, Psycho Killer, Pulled Up Would I listen to it again: Yes
Hype
Very distinctive sound
Already know the album and love it. Psycho killer is my all time favorite song
Not my favourite Talking Heads album, but still my flavour of weird.
Enjoyed the album especially the song psycho killer
I like “New Feeling” and “First Week/Last Week…Carefree”. “Don’t Worry About the Government” is a little crazy but I’m into it. “Psycho Killer” will get stuck in my head all day. Just a fun album to listen through. It has a unique sound and each song is distinct.
Cooliiis
Lekker album, kende de topper er van natuurlijk. Maar leuk om ook de andere te horen
Not my favorite genre but I can't deny the earworms this album is filled with. I feel like the album ends on a really strong note with the last few tracks. I especially like Psycho Killer
Grower, bit hard for the singing part, but cool bit off tune sounding guitars and stereo sonically. Psycho killer and new feeling best songs 4
Not too shabby, some real hits on here
Psycho killer, good
I think David Byrne sings like a clown on some songs like Happy Day… kinda freaks me out. Otherwise I liked this a lot
Talking heads debut record is surprisingly fresh and contains many good ideas with standout tracks like psycho killer. Overall a fun listen
Much goodly. Talking Heads was the big thing when i was a kid but i never got into them - '77' though is much accessible, with the same wry social observation. Will Keep.
Something fresh, new, and eccentric in its time, a fun first look at the Talking Heads
The debut album of the Talking Heads. You can see how they evolved into legends. There are several all-time greats on this album. Pitchfork: 8.8 Rolling Stone: Top 500 albums #290 2002, not on 2023 list Best Songs Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town No Compassion The Book I Read First Week/Last Week....Carefree Psycho Killer Pulled Up
wow I listened to this a while ago, and didn't really get it, but I really do now, its totally different from their other later albums, as they started to take influences more from disco and afrobeat etc... This sounds very modern, which I think maybe makes it quite ahead of its time. David Byrne's personality is a major factor in what makes it good I think. He's just so goofy and also I think sometimes crosses the bridge between music and comedy. Its also very arty, which is totally to be expected, but its always very interesting. Some of the guitar parts are quite interesting and experimental for the time as well. I think I maybe took it too seriously the first listen. I feel like the only downside is that he occasionally just aimlessly yells things. which isn't actually too bad, as these songs are quite short. Favourite song: Uh-oh, love come to town, new feeling, happy day, who is it?, no compassion, the book I read, don't worry about the government, first week/last week...carefree, psycho killer, love --> building on fire, sugar on my tongue. I probably like this a bit less than remain in light and a bit more than the buildings and food one, from memory... Overall around 8/10
Great stuff.
i really enjoyed it
A solid debut from a great band. I've heard a few people say that this debut is just a debut; it's good but nothing special compared to their later work. As I agree, I disagree that it's just a debut. If their debut wasn't good, I don't think this band would amount to anything, and I'm so happy it is and I'm so happy they did.
No he podido prestar toda la atención que se merece, pero lo he sentido muy divertido. Y claro... himno.
It's Talking Heads. You know what you're getting and there are usually a few bangers per album. "Psycho Killer" is the one folks will recognize on this LP, but the entire album is just really good.
hootin' and hollerin' in the best way possible. for someone who enjoys a lot of bands that cite talking heads as a inspiration, idk why i have never gone straight to the source.
Exquisite idiosyncratic voice, love
Groovy weird album. Talking Heads are great.
such a fun and energising album with a unique sound!
Can't believe I originally had this as a 2/5. Came back to it and loved it. 4/5
Playful and original 4
Of course I already knew Psycho Killer, but being not a fan of Talking Heads per se, I so far had skipped their debut album. Good thing that through this list I got around to listen to it - it's really good. Apart from Psycho Killer, I especially liked the opener, but the rest also doesn't need to hide. What a pleasant surprise! 4/5
An excellent debut album for the Talking Heads. This band never had the strongest vocals and that becomes evident on this album as well. I feel like on later projects they figured out how to hide this flaw better, almost using the vocals as percussion. You can definitely hear some of the Punk influences while adding that New Wave synth sound on top. 4/5
Really pleasant album. Talking Heads has a really nice vibe that makes their songs such an easy listen
> the Beatles
As a full album it doesn’t hit everywhere but what a debut
Here we go folk, some fire as music, Love is coming To Town!! Love these heads baby New Feeling: Funky. Like these notes are discordant and jangly but maybe because they're not as loud I'm so okay with it. Layered properly or something, it's just so much catchier than the garbage we've been listening to, sounds like actual music. Happy day is lame No Compassion: "I'm not interested in their problems" hell yeah Okay it's getting a little annoying That book i read: nananananaaaaaa First wee last week: ooo saucy Man Psycho killer fits right in on this album Hell yeah pulled up this rocks
I’ve heard this one several times. It is a classic! Beautiful blend of genre & theater. Listened to it again just so I can start my journey of this whole 1001 albums thing. It was just as fun as the first time I heard it. Talking Heads & B52’s have this sense of fun that doesn’t get tiring.
Hard to say what genre this is. Funk? Rock? Pop? It's playful regardless. A little too playful, especially the vocals. A good listen though.
I had never listened to a full Talking Heads album before and my goodness was I missing out. It could have been the setting but I listened to this while cruising Costco. The guy in front of me in line was losing his mind (so weird that the queue was long on a Saturday afternoon….) but I was having a great time bobbing along to this album.
nice
I like some of their later stuff a bit more, but this is a great album.
FA FA FA FA FA FA FA FA FA FA~
i like talking heads but i think the best thing for me is the bands they inspired. even after a few listens, i definitely don't care for this album as much as remain in light. psycho killer is cool and weird and a huge tune, but there's definitely some filler here. david byrne going ayayayayay and making weird noises is fun but kinda wears thin after a while. favorites: uh-oh love comes to town, new feeling, the book i read, don't worry about the government, first week/last week...carefree, psycho killer
Some absolute album sequencing wizardry from Byrne and co. here. The album immediately hooks you in with a quintessential Talking Heads pop song, "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town" before getting progressively weirder over the next several songs before closing with maybe the four best songs on the record - "Don't Worry About the Government", "First Week, Last Week", "Psycho Killer", and finally, the impossibly perfect mania of "Pulled Up". P.T. Barnum is often quoted as saying that the key to a great show is to "always leave 'em wanting more," and on Talking Heads: 77, when that final chord resolves, you're satisfied, but you don't just want more, you *need* more.
I thought this was a very simple album, not bad just simple. The quality of the music production and mixing was quite good. I had some small issues with some of the songs, especially with how they chose to execute the vocals (happy day for example). Other than that though, its still a good album but maybe it bothers me just a little bit more than I’d have liked it to. Most of my favorites in the album resided at the very beginning, along with the late middle to end. The opening and closing for the album were quite strong in my opinion.
4/5.
Den här får mig att dansa. Och den lovar så mycket inför framtiden för att av världens bästa band. Men detta är inte deras klassiker, utan en förövning ... Fyra
To be honest, I wasn't expecting to get much out of this, even though I know and very much like _Psycho Killer_, it felt like it was going to be one of those bands where you like one song and the rest doesn't do it for you. How wrong I was! Where yesterday’s pick of **Haircut 100** lacked the hooks, this is chocked full of them, each song is a joy and I'm currently on my 3rd listen of the day. A few highlights.... _Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town_, _No Compassion_, _The Book I Read_ and _Pulled Up_, which was very close to being my choice but it’s Psycho Killer
It's good, but it's weird. More than half of this album sounds like children's music. It's a 3.5 to 4 star albun for me. It's more of a "playing in background" than a "serious listen" album.
3.7/god i can see why people like this band so much
Always unapologetically weird. I can’t help but zone in on the bass on every song. A few songs come off like they’re written by a group of corny dads. Wish the production sounded fuller.
Excellent debut
Goede flow zeker de moeite waard om het hele album te luisteren. Maar niet helemaal mijn type vocals
4/5
The vibe was too good
Psycho Killer is timeless. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
mjög skemmtilegt, aðeins hrárra en seinni verk en augljóst í hvað stefndi. meirameira.
84% Best: Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town; No Compassion; Psycho Killer; Pulled Up Must-Hear? Sure
Very experimental with instrumentation already on this album which is their debut. Very funk sounding guitars and syncopation. Lyrics don’t seem as heightened as Byrne will become as a lyricist but the themes are still present. Musically the album has a stripped back sound, even with the experimental instrumentation the album doesn’t feel over produced, but almost diy it lofi in character. Reminds me of David Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album. Psycho Killer is the hit on this album. Other notables include Uh Oh Love Comes To Town, No Compassion, The Book I Read, First Week/Last Week, and Pulled Up.
If I had never heard this before and someone wanted to play it for me and told me this was David Byrne’s newest album, I’d probably believe them. This is punk I can get behind. I agree with the reviewers that say that the last two tracks, ‘Psycho Killer’ and ‘Pulled Up’ feel and sound most emblematic of what I enjoy about Talking Heads and everything yet to come from them after this first album.
Brilliant album, can’t believe I never listened to this FTFT sooner!
The debut of Talking Heads is very Talking Heads. It’s also very good and fun
Really solid debut. Apart from psycho killer theres some really good songs here: Pulled Up, Love Comes to Town and The Book I Read are worth listening to. Definetly lays the foundation for american post-punk. 8/10 Favourite: Pulled Up Least Favourite: Happy Day
They’d go on to better things but this is still great. Remembered more of this than I expected to and lots of fun to play along to. Some of the non-album singles and bonus tracks could easily have been included and probably should have been!
Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town 4 New Feeling 4.2 Tenative Decisions 4.4 Happy Day 4.2 Who Is It? 4 No Compassion 4.2 The Book I Read 4.4 Don't Worry About the Government 4.1 First Week/Last Week…Carefree 4.3 Psycho Killer 4.6 Pulled Up 4.4 Score: 4.254545455
Love the talking heads
Love the live energy of this album, and just the energy, in general - it feels like the whole group is just feeding and building off each other with every track - love it
Extremally underrated. Even in their first album, you can already see Talking Heads great songwriting, this is almost a 5/5, but one or two less pristine songs hold it back. Still, this is excellent.
was good.
It’s awesome, I’ll just probably never listen to it for pleasure.
It’s a debut album that any band would long for. The bands worry about being able to capture their stage energy on tape was figured out. It has many of the elements of what the band would become. Plus one of their early hits (Psycho Killer) that would help get them more broad appeal.
3.5 While it’s a pretty long and distinguished list, the show think I would most want to go back in time to see at CBGB’s is the Talking Heads. Especially this album’s closing pair, “Psycho Killer” and “Pulled Up” Other favorites: “Uh-oh Love Comes to Town”; “No Compassion”; “Don’t Fear the Government”
I saw someone call this album “boring,” and I’m here to say the exact opposite: this was so exciting. There is so much music out there thah sounds like everything else, and this is so distinctly Talking Heads and David Byrne, it’s exciting! He might not have the best voice, but he sure is cool and weird.
Advent of the original nerd punks. Dry strumming over a scene-heretical groove.
This is great. Lots of Talking Heads goodness, sparse, aggressive but restrained. Very enjoyable.
Another album that surprised me. I was half-expecting to not like it, but the first track settled my nerves, it was good. After that it was close to 50/50 with some more decent tracks and a few weaker ones.
Avant garde!
I hate people when they’re not polite.
Steel drums!
La inconfundible voz de David Byrne hace una critica de la sociedad de los 70s (que sería totalmente valida en la sociedad de hoy en día) en el álbum debut del grupo. Melodías psicodélicas hechas con guitarras eléctricas y potenciadas con potentes baterías, mediante las cuales se burla del trabajo, el amor, las construcciones, las leyes, la felicidad, la sociedad en general y los problemas de los humanos “No Compassion”. Incluso hasta del término caer y levantarse en la canción que cierra el álbum “Pulled Up”. La canción más exitosa del álbum y una de las más interesantes “Psycho Killer” narra la inestabilidad mental de una persona no solo en la letra; también en la forma de cantar, en introducir otro idioma entremedias del tema, como es el francés o la inclusión de monosílabos sin sentido “fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa” “Talking Heads: 77” es uno de los álbumes que dieron forma al new wave y el art pop/rock.
Liked it. Nice vibe.suprise outcast sample at the end sugar on my toung. Familiar with psycho killer
Tradicionalno vrhunski 👌🏻 super, super album!! Baš mi fino sjeda. Zanimljiv, raznolik, dobar paketić. 4/5, 8/10
What a stunning record. It's crazy to me that this was their debut, it sounds so incredibly refined and impressively put together. I ended up listening to this about 3 times through, and I think that my overall thoughts are that this is a fantastic listen, with highlight after highlight present, and only a couple tunes that I wasn't so keen on. My favorite part about this record is hands down the basslines, holy god they are so groovy on literally every track. I mean like... good lord just listen to "New Feeling," "Tentative Decisions," "The Book I Read," "Psycho Killer"... I could go on. Absolute masterful display of songwriting and instrumentation here.
I really enjoyed this album. I love the bass line and playing. Will listen again.
On their debut, Talking Heads: 77, David Byrne and company take the skeletal framework of punk and wire it to a twitchy, intellectual nervous system. The guitars are clean but cut like razors, the rhythms are tight but always slightly off-center — a kind of funk played by alien architects. The band sounds less like a rock group and more like a mathematical equation with a sense of humor. Tina Weymouth’s bass doesn’t just hold the groove — it pulses, cool and bone-dry, like it's solving a problem in real time. Chris Frantz's drumming is crisp and mechanical, but never dull; it makes neurosis danceable. Jerry Harrison's rhythm guitar jabs and jitters, often sounding like it’s trying to dodge itself. And then there’s David Byrne — not singing so much as panicking in key. His vocals tremble, shout, and occasionally shriek, like a philosophy student having a breakdown in a phone booth. On “Psycho Killer,” he delivers paranoia as performance art. On “Don’t Worry About the Government,” he sounds sincere and unhinged at once, like a man in love with infrastructure. Talking Heads: 77 isn’t warm, but it’s weirdly inviting — all angles, all anxieties, all sharp edges. It’s new wave before the term had a haircut. If punk was rebellion, Talking Heads were reconsideration: smart, stylish, and suspicious of everything — even themselves.
This was awesome love the rendition of sugar on my tongue
It's very solid for early talking heads. What a unique sounding band.
This is a weird one because I enjoy Talking Heads very much but I couldn't get super in to this album. It's missing something that the other David Byrne projects on here have had, and I can't put my finger on it. I just didn't like it as much as their other records and I didn't have any desire to dig deeper like I did with them. This isn't bad at all, just not as engaging as it could be. It's still a Talking Heads album so it gets points just for that, but comparing it to their other work I found it less experimental, less interesting, and less, well, good.
Every following album Talking Heads did up to the mid 80's was better than this, but it's a good start nevertheless.
I hadn't listened to his album in its entirety. Obviously impossible to have missed Psycho Killer. But this is high quality for a debut isn't it. Great to explore in relation to their later work, which suffice to say I was playing for the rest of the day!