Ondes Martenot Posted March 30, 2007 Share Posted March 30, 2007 this thread's going to be MASSIVE! Qu'est-ce que c'est? Appreciation and review thread! :cool: Why? Because Talking Heads are awesome :dance: you'd probably never get bands like e.g. Arcade Fire if there's no Talking Heads at the same time, i'll be posting their albums, songs (here), youtube links etc. so stay tuned! Talking Heads: 77 More Songs About Buildings and Food Fear Of Music Remain In Light The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads Speaking In Tongues Stop Making Sense Little Creatures True Stories Naked Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted March 30, 2007 Author Share Posted March 30, 2007 Talking Heads: 77 Year: 1977 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 9.5 TRACKLIST: 1. Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town * 2. New Feeling 3. Tentative Decisions 4. Happy Day * 5. Who Is It? 6. No Compassion 7. The Book I Read 8. Don't Worry About The Government * 9. First Week/Last Week...Care Free 10. Psycho Killer * 11. Pulled Up * * recommended by me Though they were the most highly touted new wave band to emerge from the CBGB's scene in New York, it was not clear at first whether Talking Heads' Lower East Side art rock approach could make the subway ride to the midtown pop mainstream successfully. The leadoff track of the debut album, Talking Heads: 77, "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town," was a pop song that emphasized the group's unlikely roots in late-'60s bubblegum, Motown, and Caribbean music. But the "Uh-Oh" gave away the group's game early, with its nervous, disconnected lyrics and David Byrne's strained voice. All pretenses of normality were abandoned by the second track, as Talking Heads finally started to sound on record the way they did downtown: the staggered rhythms and sudden tempo changes, the odd guitar tunings and rhythmic, single-note patterns, the non-rhyming, non-linear lyrics that came across like odd remarks overheard from a psychiatrist's couch, and that voice, singing above its normal range, its falsetto leaps and strangled cries resembling a madman trying desperately to sound normal. Talking Heads threw you off balance, but grabbed your attention with a sound that seemed alternately threatening and goofy. The music was undeniably catchy, even at its most ominous, especially on "Psycho Killer," Byrne's supreme statement of demented purpose. Amazingly, that song made the singles chart for a few weeks, evidence of the group's quirky appeal, but the album was not a big hit, and it remained unclear whether Talking Heads spoke only the secret language of the urban arts types or whether that could be translated into the more common tongue of hip pop culture. In any case, they had succeeded as artists, using existing elements in an unusual combination to create something new that still managed to be oddly familiar. And that made Talking Heads: 77 a landmark album. The Highlight "Psycho Killer" http://youtube.com/watch?v=l5zFsy9VIdM I can't seem to face up to the facts I'm tense and nervous and I Can't relax I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire Don't touch me I'm a real live wire Psycho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away Psycho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away You start a conversation you can't even finish it. You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything. When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed. Say something once, why say it again? Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away Psycho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away Ce que j'ai fais, ce soir la Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir la Realisant mon espoir Je me lance, vers la gloire ... OK We are vain and we are blind I hate people when they're not polite Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away Psycho Killer, Qu'est-ce que c'est fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa far better Run run run run run run run away oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh.... P.S. "77" is probably one of the best debut albums the World has ever seen. Talking Heads invented a new style which can't be really compared to any specific genres. It's not really a pop, a rock or a punk record. It's a mix of everything. But probably David Byrne's lyrics is what makes this album fantastic. Even after 30 years it still sounds remarkable and refreshing. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plug_in_coldplaying Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 I think we have that lp somewhere between other lps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 More Songs About Buildings and Food Year: 1978 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 8.8 TRACKLIST: 1. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel * 2. With Our Love 3. The Good Thing 4. Warning Sign * 5. The Girls Want To Be With The Girls 6. Found A Job 7. Artists Only 8. I'm Not In Love * 9. Stay Hungry 10. Take Me To The River * 11. The Big Country * * recommended by me The title of Talking Heads' second album, More Songs About Buildings and Food, slyly addressed the sophomore record syndrome, in which songs not used on a first LP are mixed with hastily written new material. If the band's sound seems more conventional, the reason simply may be that one had encountered the odd song structures, staccato rhythms, strained vocals, and impressionistic lyrics once before. Another was that new co-producer Brian Eno brought a musical unity that tied the album together, especially in terms of the rhythm section, the sequencing, the pacing, and the mixing. Where Talking Heads had largely been about David Byrne's voice and words, Eno moved the emphasis to the bass-and-drums team of Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz; all the songs were danceable, and there were only short breaks between them. Byrne held his own, however, and he continued to explore the eccentric, if not demented persona first heard on 77, whether he was adding to his observations on boys and girls or turning his "Psycho Killer" into an artist in "Artists Only." Through the first nine tracks, More Songs was the successor to 77, which would not have earned it landmark status or made it the commercial breakthrough it became. It was the last two songs that pushed the album over those hurdles. First there was an inspired cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River"; released as a single, it made the Top 40 and pushed the album to gold-record status. Second was the album closer, "The Big Country," Byrne's country-tinged reflection on flying over middle America; it crystallized his artist-vs.-ordinary people perspective in unusually direct and dismissive terms, turning the old Chuck Berry patriotic travelogue theme of rock & roll on its head and employing a great hook in the process. The Highlight "The Big Country" Unfortunately that's the only footage of this song on YouTube. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ppvNNotJPe0 I see the shapes, I remember from maps. I see the shoreline. I see the whitecaps. A baseball diamond, nice weather down there. I see the school and the houses where the kids are. Places to park by the fac'tries and buildings. Restaunts and bar for later in the evening. Then we come to the farmlands, and the undeveloped areas. And I have learned how these things work together. I see the parkway that passes through them all. And I have learned how to look at these things and I say, (CHORUS) I wouldn't live there if you paid me. I couldn't live like that, no siree! I couldn't do the things the way those people do. I couldn't live there if you paid me to. I guess it's healthy, I guess the air is clean. I guess those people have fun with their neighbors and friends. Look at that kitchen and all of that food. Look at them eat it' guess it tastes real good. They grow it in the farmlands And they take it to the stores They put it in the car trunk And they bring it back home And I say ... (CHORUS) I say, I wouldn't live there if you paid me. I couldn't live like that, no siree! I couldn't do the things the way those people do. I wouldn't live there if you paid me to. I'm tired of looking out the windows of the airplane I'm tired of travelling, I want to be somewhere. It's not even worth talking About those people down there. Goo Goo Ga Ga Ga Goo Goo Ga Ga Ga P.S. MSABAF is a very good follow-up to :77. Once again, Byrne's lyrics are as fine as lyrics can get. Not to forget Brian Eno's great work either, of course. This album is amazingly produced. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Fear Of Music Year: 1979 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 10.0 TRACKLIST: 1. I Zimbra 2. Mind * 3. Paper 4. Cities * 5. Life During Wartime * 6. Memories Can't Wait * 7. Air * 8. Heaven * 9. Animals 10. Electric Guitar 11. Drugs * * recommended by me By titling their third album Fear of Music and opening it with the African rhythmic experiment "I Zimbra," complete with nonsense lyrics by poet Hugo Ball, Talking Heads make the record seem more of a departure than it is. Though Fear of Music is musically distinct from its predecessors, it's mostly because of the use of minor keys that give the music a more ominous sound. Previously, David Byrne's offbeat observations had been set off by an overtly humorous tone; on Fear of Music, he is still odd, but no longer so funny. At the same time, however, the music has become even more compelling. Worked up from jams (though Byrne received sole songwriter's credit), the music is becoming denser and more driving, notably on the album's standout track, "Life During Wartime," with lyrics that match the music's power. "This ain't no party," declares Byrne, "this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around." The other key song, "Heaven," extends the dismissal Byrne had expressed for the U.S. in "The Big Country" to paradise itself: "Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens." It's also the album's most melodic song. Those are the highlights. What keeps Fear of Music from being as impressive an album as Talking Heads' first two is that much of it seems to repeat those earlier efforts, while the few newer elements seem so risky and exciting. It's an uneven, transitional album, though its better songs are as good as any Talking Heads ever did. The Highlight Choosing one song from one of your favourite albums of all-time is impossible. Fear Of Music is flawless. But probably, "Heaven" was the song that touched upon first listen... P.S. the lyrics are a bit different in this version "Heaven" http://youtube.com/watch?v=KEpUHnvfCzQ Everyone is trying to get to the bar. The name of the bar, the bar is called Heaven. The band in Heaven, they play my favorite song. They play it once again, play it all night long. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. There is a party, everyone is there. Everyone will leave at exactly the same time. Its hard to imagine that nothing at all could be so exciting, could be so much fun. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. When this kiss is over it will start again. It will not be any different, it will be exactly the same. It's hard to imagine that nothing at all could be so exciting, could be this much fun. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. Heaven, Heaven is a place a place where nothing, nothing ever happens. P.S. Fear Of Music is their best album in my opinion. It's also described as transitional for being "a bridge" between earlier, post-punkish and latter, more funky Talking Heads. Which Talking Heads is better? The truth is probably somewhere in between, on Fear Of Music. Dark, quirky, paranoid, realistic, beatiful. Tis a perfect album! DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Remain In Light Year: 1979 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 9.8 TRACKLIST: 1. Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) * 2. Crosseyed And Painless 3. The Great Curve * 4. Once In A Lifetime * 5. House In Motion * 6. Seen And Not Seen * 7. Listening Wind 8. The Overload * * recommended by me The musical transition that seemed to have just begun with Fear of Music came to fruition on Talking Heads' fourth album, Remain in Light. "I Zimbra" and "Life During Wartime" from the earlier album served as the blueprints for a disc on which the group explored African polyrhythms on a series of driving groove tracks, over which David Byrne chanted and sang his typically disconnected lyrics. Remain in Light had more words than any previous Heads record, but they counted for less than ever in the sweep of the music. The album's single, "Once in a Lifetime," flopped upon release, but over the years it became an audience favorite due to a striking video, its inclusion in the band's 1984 concert film Stop Making Sense, and its second single release (in the live version) because of its use in the 1986 movie Down and Out in Beverly Hills, when it became a minor chart entry. Byrne sounded typically uncomfortable in the verses ("And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife/And you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?"), which were undercut by the reassuring chorus ("Letting the days go by"). Even without a single, Remain in Light was a hit, indicating that Talking Heads were connecting with an audience ready to follow their musical evolution, and the album was so inventive and influential, it was no wonder. As it turned out, however, it marked the end of one aspect of the group's development and was their last new music for three years. The Highlight The video is just fucking awesome. "Once In A Lifetime" http://youtube.com/watch?v=EYbUCvz1LYE And you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself in another part of the world And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house, with a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself-Well...How did I get here ? Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/after the money´s gone Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground. And you may ask yourself How do I work this ? And you may ask yourself Where is that large automobile ? And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful house ! And you may tell yourself This is not my beautiful wife ! Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/after the money´s gone Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground. Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... Water dissolving...and water removing There is water at the bottom of the ocean Carry the water at the bottom of the ocean Remove the water at the bottom of the ocean ! Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/in the silent water Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground. Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/after the money´s gone Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground. And you may ask yourself What is that beautiful house ? And you may ask yourself Where does that highway go ? And you may ask yourself Am I right ?...Am I wrong ? And you may tell yourself MY GOD !...WHAT HAVE I DONE ? Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/in the silent water Under the rocks and stones/there is water underground. Letting the days go by/let the water hold me down Letting the days go by/water flowing underground Into the blue again/after the money´s gone Once in a lifetime/water flowing underground. Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... Same as it ever was...Same as it ever was... P.S. Talking Heads' best album apparently. With Remain In Light Talking Heads reached the pick of their career. A truly classic. Byrne's best lyrics can be found on this album. Last Eno-era studio album btw. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Rose Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Talking Heads are a very very good band, their live album of which I assume Nik took the idea for the title of this thread from (the name of this band is talking heads) is one of the best live albums I have heard for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 ^ :thumbsup: that's my next entry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads Year: 1982 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk, Live OM's rating: 9.7 TRACKLIST (expanded 2004 version): 1. New Feeling * 2. A Clean Break 3. Don’t Worry About The Government * 4. Pulled Up * 5. Psycho Killer * 6. Who Is It? 7. The Book I Read 8. The Big Country * 9. I’m Not In Love * 10. The Girls Want To Be With The Girls 11. Electricity 12. Found A Job 13. Mind * 14. Artists Only 15. Stay Hungry 16. Air * 17. Building On Fire * 18. Memories (Can't Wait) * 19. Heaven * 20. Psycho Killer * 21. Warning Sign * 22. Stay Hungry 23. Cities * 24. I Zimbra 25. Drugs (Electricity) * 26. Once In A Lifetime * 27. Animals 28. House In Motion * 29. Born Under The Punches (The Heat Goes On) * 30. Crosseyed and Painless 31. Life During Wartime * 32. Take Me To The River * 33. The Great Curve * * recommended by me Up until 2004, Stop Making Sense was the only easily available live Talking Heads album on compact disc, but it caught the band in the second phase of its career, presenting a polished stage show after having arrived squarely in the mainstream with the success of Speaking in Tongues (their fifth album) and "Burning Down the House" in particular. It was a distinct change. Speaking in Tongues was their first new music in three years and was noticeably upbeat and danceable compared to the dark paranoia of Remain in Light and Fear of Music and the undistilled art-school geekiness of their first two albums. Stop Making Sense captured Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, but not at the height of their power. After all, it was those first four albums that established the band among critics and a fervent semiunderground following. And that's where The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads comes in. It was the perfect summary to the first phase of their career, presenting an LP of material performed by the original quartet (1977-1979) and an LP of material from the Remain in Light tours of 1980 and 1981 (featuring a greatly expanded band lineup). But alas, it languished in the strictly analog domain for more than two decades. In 2004, finally, The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads was made available on compact disc, and it may well have been worth the wait. Each version of the band is still given a disc of its own, but the longer running time of compact discs versus LPs means you're treated to almost double the original number of tracks. The first disc, which features the original quartet, is brilliantly expanded with the original LP sequencing completely intact and all the bonus tracks coming between the LP sides (except for "Heaven," the perfect album closer). The sound is crisp and clear, with tight drumming, a great punchy bass sound, and clearly separated guitars that allow you to really hear what complementary (and fine) players David Byrne and Jerry Harrison were. Byrne is the über-geek with a totally unique delivery (especially on tracks like "Who Is It?," "Artists Only," and "Stay Hungry," not to mention his nervous stage announcements), but they all play with the raw energy of a young band on the way up. The bonus tracks are all excellent. There is no sense whatsoever that they were simply padding things for a longer running time, and it's just great hearing live versions of songs like "Mind" (with extended guitar solo), "The Big Country," and "The Book I Read" that have never been readily available in live form. As fantastic as the first disc is, the second one is perhaps even more exciting. The expanded band (ten musicians and two backup singers) is amazing, not only adding power and punch to the Remain in Light material, but in most cases surpassing the studio versions (no mean feat). These live versions of "The Great Curve," "Houses in Motion," and "Crosseyed and Painless (all prominently featuring Adrian Belew) are nearly worth the price of admission alone, but the bonus tracks here are just as exciting. The original release had no overlapping songs on the two LPs, with the large version of the band sticking solely to tunes from Remain in Light and Fear of Music. Now you're treated to arrangements of "Psycho Killer," "Stay Hungry," and "Warning Sign" as performed by the expanded lineup, not to mention live versions of "Animals," "Cities," and "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)." The band is on fire throughout the performances, and fans of Belew's guitar playing will practically be giddy with ecstasy. These are some of his finest performances strictly as a guitarist, and although Remain in Light was the only studio album he played on, he beautifully adds his own touches to "Stay Hungry" and especially "Psycho Killer." Byrne also contributes some cool guitar, sometimes using a great delay sound, and again, the clear separation of instruments lets you really hear the details. The producers chose to depart from the album sequencing on this disc, opting to reproduce the entire set list in order instead. It works up until the end, where they move "The Great Curve" from its position at the beginning of side four and make it the album closer. It might be a more exciting song to finish the set, but folks who already know this album expect "Take Me to the River" to be the end, and it's a bit jarring to have the music continue after that (understanding this, the liner notes actually explain how to program the original album sequencing). However, that's a very minor quibble about a re-release that actually manages to vastly improve on an already excellent album. The liner notes also include a number of reviews of T-Heads live shows, and they wisely chose to reproduce all the band photos that originally decorated the inner sleeves as well.The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is not only a vital document of an important, groundbreaking band on its way up, it's one of Talking Heads' best albums, easily surpassing Stop Making Sense. They were a young and hungry band making a name for themselves, pushing the boundaries of pop music and performing with palpable energy. Highly recommended. The Highlight Actually every song is a highlight here, but LDW has some special effect when it's played live. "This ain't no party, this ain't no disco" "Life During Wartime (live)" http://youtube.com/watch?v=2MYp0VIbwZk&mode=related&search= Heard of a van that is loaded with weapons, packed up and ready to go Heard of some gravesites, out by the highway, a place where nobody knows The sound of gunfire, off in the distance, I'm getting used to it now Lived in a brownstore, lived in the ghetto, I've lived all over this town 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 Transmit the message, to the receiver, hope for an answer some day I got three passports, a couple of visas, you don't even know my real name High on a hillside, the trucks are loading, everything's ready to roll I sleep in the daytime, I work in the nightime, I might not ever get home This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around This ain't no mudd club, or C. B. G. B., I ain't got time for that now Heard about Houston? Heard about Detroit? Heard about Pittsburgh, PA? You oughta know not to stand by the window somebody might see you up there I got some groceries, some peant butter, to last a couple of days But I ain't got no speakers, ain't got no headphones, ain't got no records to play Why stay in college? Why go to night school? Gonna be different this time Can't write a letter, can't send a postcard, I can't write nothing at all This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around I'd like to kiss you, I'd love you hold you I ain't got no time for that now Trouble in transit, got through the roadblock, we blended with the crowd We got computer, we're tapping pohne lines, I know that ain't allowed We dress like students, we dress like housewives, or in a suit and a tie I changed my hairstyle, so many times now, I don't know what I look like! You make me shiver, I feel so tender, we make a pretty good team Don't get exhausted, I'll do some driving, you ought to get some sleep Get you instructions, follow directions, then you should change your address Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, whatever you think is best Burned all my notebooks, what good are notebooks? They won't help me survive My chest is aching, burns like a furnace, the burning keeps me alive Try to stay healthy, physical fitness, don't want to catch no disease Try to be careful, don't take no chances, you better watch what you say P.S. For me it's the best live album by a pop/rock band ever and one of the best overall. There's no weaknesses, nor "impotences" on this album, this is how a live rock album should sound like! Live Talking Heads = EAR ORGASM!!! DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Rose Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 ^And if I remember right, it's made up with a collection of various live performances from different shows^ Apart from that album and one of their greatest hits album, it's all the Talking Heads CD I own. I have mp3s of a couple albums & the stop making sense album. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Speaking In Tongues Year: 1983 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 8.0 TRACKLIST: 1. Burning Down The House * 2. Making Flippy Floppy 3. Girlfriend Is Better 4. Slippery People * 5. I Get Wild/Wild Gravity 6. Swamp 7. Moon Rocks 8. Pull Up The Roots * 9. This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) * * recommended by me Talking Heads found a way to open up the dense textures of the music they had developed with Brian Eno on their two previous studio albums for Speaking in Tongues, and were rewarded with their most popular album yet. Ten backup singers and musicians accompanied the original quartet, but somehow the sound was more spacious, and the music admitted aspects of gospel, notably in the call-and-response of "Slippery People," and John Lee Hooker-style blues, on "Swamp." As usual, David Byrne determinedly sang and chanted impressionistic, nonlinear lyrics, sometimes by mix-and-matching clichés ("No visible means of support and you have not seen nothin' yet," he declared on "Burning Down the House," the Heads' first Top Ten hit), and the songs' very lack of clear meaning was itself a lyrical subject. "Still don't make no sense," Byrne admitted in "Making Flippy Floppy," but by the next song, "Girlfriend Is Better," that had become an order -- "Stop making sense," he chanted over and over. Some of his charming goofiness had returned since the overly serious Remain in Light and Fear of Music, however, and the accompanying music, filled with odd percussive and synthesizer sounds, could be unusually light and bouncy. The album closer, "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)," even sounded hopeful. Well, sort of. Despite their formal power, Talking Heads' preceding two albums seemed to have painted them into a corner, which may be why it took them three years to craft a follow-up, but on Speaking in Tongues, they found an open window and flew out of it. The Highlight "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" http://youtube.com/watch?v=68KLZCVFDQI Home is where I want to be Pick me up and turn me round I feel numb - burn with a weak heart (So I) guess I must be having fun The less we say about it the better Make it up as we go along Feet on the ground Head in the sky It's ok I know nothing's wrong . . nothing Hi yo I got plenty of time Hi yo you got light in your eyes And you're standing here beside me I love the passing of time Never for money Always for love Cover up + say goodnight . . . say goodnight Home - is where I want to be But I guess I'm already there I come home - -she lifted up her wings Guess that this must be the place I can't tell one from another Did I find you, or you find me? There was a time Before we were born If someone asks, this where I'll be . . . where I'll be Hi yo We drift in and out Hi yo sing into my mouth Out of all tose kinds of people You got a face with a view I'm just an animal looking for a home Share the same space for a minute or two And you love me till my heart stops Love me till I'm dead Eyes that light up, eyes look through you Cover up the blank spots Hit me on the head Ah ooh P.S. Speaking In Tongues was the commercial breakthrough for The Heads as wikipedia reports. But this album somehow isn't really the level they set up with their first 4 studio LPs. Most songs on this album sound like b-sides to Heads' previous works, especially Remain In Light. Eno's absence was sensible. SIT still has it's highlights, though. Worth a listen for sure. Fun fact: Tom Jones feat. Cardigans covered "Burning Down The House"... The only good thing in this cover is Nina Persson, nothing else... DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Stop Making Sense Year: 1984 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk, Live OM's rating: 9.0 TRACKLIST: 1. Psycho Killer * 2. Heaven * 3. Thank You for Sending Me an Angel 4. Found a Job * 5. Slippery People 6. Burning Down the House * 7. Life During Wartime * 8. Making Flippy Floppy 9. Swamp 10. What a Day That Was * 11. This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) * 12. Once in a Lifetime * 13. Genius of Love 14. Girlfriend Is Better 15. Take Me to the River * 16. Crosseyed and Painless * * recommended by me When the soundtrack for the classic Talking Heads movie Stop Making Sense was originally issued in 1984, it was only nine tracks in length, even though a total of 16 were performed on film. So when the film was re-released in theaters and on home video in 1999, a new version of the soundtrack was issued as well, including all 16 songs and sporting an even better remastered sound. Recorded over three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983 (during the tour in support of Speaking in Tongues), the usual four-piece lineup was supplemented by Parliament-Funkadelic keyboardist Bernie Worrell, percussionist Steve Scales, guitarist Alex Weir, and backup singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt. Songs from all eras of the band are featured. The first four tracks are early selections ("Psycho Killer," "Heaven"), performed as bare renditions, plus full-band funky versions of such later hits as "Life During Wartime," "Burning Down the House," "Once in a Lifetime," and "Girlfriend Is Better." Also included are lesser-known album tracks ("Swamp," "This Must Be the Place," "Crosseyed and Painless"), plus a track from David Byrne's 1981 Catherine Wheel album ("What a Day That Was"), and "Genius of Love" by the Tom Tom Club (a side project of drummer Chris Frantz and bassist Tina Weymouth). One of the greatest live albums ever, the 1999 version of Stop Making Sense captures the Talking Heads at the height of their powers. A quintessential purchase. The Highlight An unforgettable performance of Psycho Killer - Byrne solo + a cassette player. "You start a conversation, but you can't even finish it. You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything" Priceless. "Psycho Killer (live)" http://youtube.com/watch?v=FzEadbTCKDA P.S. This is an essential live album. Doesn't really hit the level of The Name Of This Band but still a very good album. Video footage was directed by Jonathan Demme ("Silence Of The Lambs")!!! note: Genius Of Love is a Tom Tom song. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Little Creatures Year: 1985 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Pop OM's rating: 7.7 TRACKLIST: 1. And She Was * 2. Give Me Back My Name 3. Creatures Of Love * 4. The Lady Don't Mind 5. Perfect World 6. Stay Up Late 7. Walk It Down 8. Television Man * 9. Road To Nowhere * * recommended by me Talking Heads' most immediately accessible album, Little Creatures eschewed the pattern of recent Heads albums, in which instrumental tracks had been worked up from riffs and grooves, after which David Byrne improvised melodies and lyrics. The songs on Little Creatures, most of which were credited to Byrne alone (with the band credited only with arrangements) sounded like they'd been written as songs. Perhaps as one result, the band had been streamlined, with extra musicians used only for specific effects rather than playing along as an ensemble. Byrne, who was singing in his natural range for once, frequently was augmented with backup singers. The overall result: ear candy. Little Creatures was a pop album, and an accomplished one, by a band that knew what it was doing. True, Byrne's lyrics were still intriguingly quirky, but even his subject matter was becoming more mature. "I've seen sex and I think it's okay," he sang on "Creatures of Love," and suddenly the geek had become a man. Where he had once pondered the hopes of boys and girls, he was now making observations about children. And even if his impulses remained strange -- "I wanna make him stay up all night," he declared about a baby (presumably not his own) in "Stay Up Late" -- he retained his charm and inventiveness. Little Creatures was, in a sense, Talking Heads lite. It was hard to think of this as the same band that produced "Psycho Killer." But for the band's expanding audience, who made this their second platinum album, that was okay. And their popularity was being accomplished with no diminution in their creativity. The Highlight "And She Was" http://youtube.com/watch?v=JewPJPQJzZQ And she was lying in the grass And she could hear the highway breathing And she could see a nearby factory She's making sure she is not dreaming See the lights of a neighbor's house Now she's starting to rise Take a minute to concentrate And she opens up her eyes The world was moving and she was right there with it (and she was) The world was moving she was floating above it (and she was) and she was And she was drifting through the backyard And she was taking off her dress And she was moving very slowly Rising up above the earth Moving into the universe Drifting this way and that Not touching ground at all Up above the yard CHORUS She was glad about it... no doubt about it She isn't sure where she's gone No time to think about what to tell them No time to think about what she's done And she was And she was looking at herself And things were looking like a movie She had a pleasant elevation She's moving out in all directions CHORUS Joining the world of missing persons (and she was) Missing enough to feel alright (and she was) P.S. This is the most accesible Heads album by miles. The revolutionary sound that they invented at the end of 70s is gone. This is also the most controversial Talking Heads album. Disappointing, because the sound why people loved The Heads has disappeared, good, because it's something new. IMO, LC is certainly not a disappointment. A decent pop record, just not that great. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 True Stories Year: 1986 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 6.2 TRACKLIST: 1. Love For Sale * 2. Puzzlin' Evidence 3. Hey Now 4. Papa Legba 5. Wild Wild Life 6. Radio Head 7. Dream Operator * 8. People Like Us 9. City Of Dreams * * recommended by me Time hasn't been kind to Talking Heads' ancillary soundtrack to David Byrne's oddball directorial debut. Though it generated one of the band's biggest radio hits ("Wild Wild Life"), both the film and its songs were dismissed as self-consciously quirky retreads of other, better material; and it's well-known the quartet was beginning to splinter apart around the time of the sessions. Byrne himself has said that he regretted the whole notion of releasing True Stories with his own vocals, a decision made at the behest of the film's financial backers: All along, he intended for the lyrics to be sung, in character, by Pops Staples, John Goodman, and the rest of the cast. (Some of these alternate-vocal versions were eventually released as B-sides.) Despite its perfunctory nature, however, True Stories is not without its charms. Though an obvious swipe at consumerism, "Love for Sale" boasts one of the band's best hooks, and it's easily their hardest-rocking tune since the Fear of Music days. "Radio Head" is a successful continuation of some of the regional-American motifs Byrne explored on Little Creatures (and bears the distinction of inspiring Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and company to name their band after it). Free from the movie's weird patina of irony, "Dream Operator" is one of the most affecting tunes Talking Heads ever recorded; the closing-credits theme "City of Dreams" is similarly touching. Elsewhere, there is filler -- touching upon gospel, country-western, zydeco, and sundry other Byrne influences -- but the band's skill at arranging an album and maintaining a mood remains intact. So while True Stories may remain a regrettable chapter in the band's history, it's certainly not an embarrassing one. The Highlight "Dream Operator" http://youtube.com/watch?v=cAJ7kppuY7U When you were little You dreamed you were big You must have been something A real tiny kid You wish you were me I wish I was you Now don't you wake up The dream will come true Every dream has a name And names tell your story This song is your dream You're the dream operator It's bigger than life You know it's all me My face is a book But it's not what it seems Three angels above The whole human race They dream us to life They dream me a face And every dream tells it all And this dream is your story You dreamed me a heart You're the dream operator Shake-it-up dream Hi-di-ho dream Fix-it-up dream Look at me dream I've been waiting so long Now I am your dream Hard to forget Hard to go on When you fall asleep You're out on your own Let go of your life Grab on to my hand Here in the clouds Where we'll understand And you dreamed it all And this is your story Do you know who you are? You're the dream operator And you dreamed it all And this is your story Do you know who you are? You're the dream operator P.S. Well... this is definitely not what people'd expect. With this album Talking Heads achieved what most of their fans would hate - sounding like an 80s reggae influenced pop band. Where's the early quirkiness and craziness??? First big mistake of their outstanding discography. DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 Naked Year: 1988 Genre: Art-rock, New wave, Post-punk OM's rating: 4.8 TRACKLIST: 1. Blind 2. Mr. Jones 3. Totally Nude 4. Ruby Dear 5. (Nothing But) Flowers * 6. The Democratic Circus * 7. The Facts Of Life 8. Mommy Daddy You And I 9. Big Daddy 10. Bill 11. Cool Water * * recommended by me Talking Heads' last proper studio album before their protracted breakup finds them returning to the dynamic that produced their best work, with inspired results. As swan songs go, Naked proves to be a pretty good one: Alternately serious and playful, it once again allows frontman David Byrne to worry about the government, the environment, and the plight of the working man as it frees up the rest of the band to trade instruments and work with guest musicians. It's closest in spirit to Remain in Light -- arguably too close: The first side is a collection of funky, syncopated, almost danceable tunes; the second, a murky, darkly philosophical rumination on identity and human nature. The major difference is a Latin influence replacing Light's African rhythm experimentation, most evident on the album openers "Blind" and "Mr. Jones," as well as in drummer Chris Frantz's decision to use brushes and softer percussion instruments (as opposed the big beat sound he offered up on Little Creatures and True Stories). With the venerable Steve Lillywhite behind the boards and such luminaries as Johnny Marr, Kirsty MacColl, and Yves N'Djock punctuating the credits, the album sounds technically perfect, but there's little of the loose, live feel the band achieved with former mentor Brian Eno. It's quite a feat to pull of a late-career album as ambitious as Naked, and the Heads do so with style and vitality. But no matter how much the liner notes may boast of free-form invention and boundless creativity, the album's elegiac, airtight tone betrays the sound of four musicians growing tired of the limits they've imposed on one another. The Highlight "(Nothing But) Flowers" http://youtube.com/watch?v=lOEIRI5HSuQ Here we stand Like an Adam and an Eve Waterfalls The Garden of Eden Two fools in love So beautiful and strong The birds in the trees Are smiling upon them From the age of the dinosaurs Cars have run on gasoline Where, where have they gone? Now, it's nothing but flowers There was a factory Now there are mountains and rivers you got it, you got it We caught a rattlesnake Now we got something for dinner we got it, we got it There was a shopping mall Now it's all covered with flowers you've got it, you've got it If this is paradise I wish I had a lawnmower you've got it, you've got it Years ago I was an angry young man I'd pretend That I was a billboard Standing tall By the side of the road I fell in love With a beautiful highway This used to be real estate Now it's only fields and trees Where, where is the town Now, it's nothing but flowers The highways and cars Were sacrificed for agriculture I thought that we'd start over But I guess I was wrong Once there were parking lots Now it's a peaceful oasis you got it, you got it This was a Pizza Hut Now it's all covered with daisies you got it, you got it I miss the honky tonks, Dairy Queens, and 7-Elevens you got it, you got it And as things fell apart Nobody paid much attention you got it, you got it I dream of cherry pies, Candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies you got it, you got it We used to microwave Now we just eat nuts and berries you got it, you got it This was a discount store, Now it's turned into a cornfield you got it, you got it Don't leave me stranded here I can't get used to this lifestyle P.S. This is the only Talking Heads album that I don't get. Whatever that AMG review might say, it just doesn't hit me. 2-3 good songs, but that's all. Very disappointing, especially after that you've heard all their previous albums. (Nothing But) Flowers is brilliant, though... Obviously, a break-up album. A very bad finish of a fantastic career... DL: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38699 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 finished. i hope, i've made at least 1 person to download an album or two of theirs... Talking Heads are one of the best bands ever, guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowy eyes Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 this thread is great :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 1, 2007 Author Share Posted April 1, 2007 thanks Ella :kiss: here is some interesting stuff - Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) covers "Heaven" http://youtube.com/watch?v=dT7swZ0dT7k&mode=related&search= - Arcade Fire's cover of "This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)" DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?8gjomijatzo - In 2001, David Byrne's hit single "Like Humans Do" was selected by Microsoft as the sample music for Windows XP to demonstrate Windows Media Player. DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/?6lwojjlhtzd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njshaw Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 very well done. I'm gonna start with The Name of this Band... Thanks a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMagpie Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I'm downloading Remain In Light right now. I'll let you know what I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowy eyes Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 thanks for that Jarvis cover :) I only have Remain In Light and I love it and I think it's about the time to listen to the other stuff. So thanks for this thread, Nik :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ondes Martenot Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 go people go! :ears: good starting points with Remain In Light and The Name Of This Band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitta Rensolo Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Sooo, here is the video again.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozc70JPGRMQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 stop making sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Posted December 17, 2007 Share Posted December 17, 2007 Talking Heads are one of the best bands ever, guys I'd second that. Awesome thread, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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