Just wrapped up a really fun listening session. Glad @MC_Benski is always poking and prodding about our preferences in Talking Heads albums. I was overdue for a revisit on this one.
I really do feel that the band's stretch from Fear of Music through Speaking In Tongues is one of the great stretches by any artist that I've been exposed to. I think I may have discounted this one over the years, though. I've always felt that this album was the band building their muscles of their new sound, but without the intention of the two albums that would follow. They're starting to incorporate the polyrhythms that would define Remain In Light. They're experimenting with the synthetic sounds and atmospheres that convey their unique flavor of paranoia and drama. The bass is starting to stretch from guitar to synthesizers, deepening the grooves of the music. It just felt a little incoherent when compared to the later work. I wasn't aware that there was a loose concept to the album - turning ordinary things, from air to animals, into sources of paranoia and dread. It's a super interesting idea that kind of feels like a prelude to Remain In Light. Through that lens, the songs feel like they have a bit more intent to me. The thing that always gets me with this album is how there are moments that feel like they reach back rather than look forward. Mind and Heaven could both be on More Songs About Buildings and Food. Sitting within an album of curious sounds, paranoid lyrics, and heavy grooves they sound extremely out of place. They're great songs and it's a tiny nit-pick, but it's what holds this one back from being one of my all-time favorites like the next two albums. In any event, this album deserves a spin by any curious music fan who hasn't heard it. Thanks to @calebnyc2012 for a fun session and more than a few tidbits that made for a super rewarding listen.
I really feel like this song almost sets up what there career going forward would look like rather then this album
@William - curious how you order Fear of Music, Remain In Light and Speaking In Tongues
@William It's that back half of Remain In Light, huh? I do agree that this and Speaking In Tongues are much more listenable.