Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings And Food


Year of Release: 2006
Label: Rhino
Catalog Number: 76450
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Keith reviewed 8 releases in an omnibus edition - e.g., one long, but segmented, review; I have chosen to break this into separate segments, including the opening paragraph for each. This is the third in the series -ed.

The Talking Heads were an original band; to say they were unique is putting it mildly. They did not sound like anyone else nor did anyone sound like them. It's hard to figure out who they were influenced by while listening to more of their advanced recordings. From the third release forward, they changed the landscape of music forever.

Visually they were quite normal with the exception of the awkward and geeky looking lead singer David Bryne. If he put on a suit coat and tie, he could pass for a college professor or an executive on Wall Street. Overall, the Talking Heads were not your typical rock band.

Now with advent of DVD-A, we can listen to their entire studio recordings including videos from the archives and alternate and unfinished takes of tracks you never heard before. The CD sides are excellent as well. Rhino is one of the best at repackaging catalogs but this time I was a little annoyed with the sequencing of tracks. It is nice to have a choice, DVD-A on one side and CD on the other, however putting the bonus tracks only on the CD sides is very annoying. Why would I listen to CD audio when I can have surround sound? There are mixed opinions on the effectiveness of Dual Discs but my experiences have always been positive, with the exception of having to flip it over to hear all the bonus tracks. That is a minor factor when you look at the big picture and how much enjoyment is available like never before. The Talking Heads phenomenal output gets a just recourse with these reissues. Sit back and reminisce then listen to one of the most influential and important bands of our time like you never heard them before. Ladies and gentleman, I give you the Talking Heads?

I still have no idea why this album was titled More Songs About Buildings And Food. There is nothing in the recording that fits any of those descriptive words, possibly this is referring to a fragmented process with their song writing. It is more about people and every day situations. This is the first Eno produced album and he decided that bringing out the bass and drums more was appropriate. It sounded great and it did not drown out David Byrne at all. The Talking Heads did not suffer from the sophomore slump; it is an excellent rock and roll record.

The music is right for the time it was recorded, it is all danceable with great hooks, and radio ready. It is interesting hearing this and how simple it is compared to Remain In Light and Speaking In Tongues. Besides Byrne's distinctive vocals, they sounded like an entirely different band on preceding albums. On tracks like "Artists Only" they sound very new wave and there is even a few segments that have a cool 60s surf organ sound to them. "Take Me To The River" surprised everyone at the time, its a compelling version and very pragmatic and bluesy. This was a great rock and roll band doing what they did best, or was it? Time would tell. This was the Talking Heads and no band on earth sounded like them - period. Regardless of what style of music they put out, they stood alone.

Four bonus tracks featuring alternate takes of "Stay Hungry," "I'm Not In Love," "The Big Country" and an interesting "Thank You For Sending Me An Angel" - "Country Angel" version including live videos of?"Found A Job" and "Warning Sign" make the package complete.

[Previous: Remain In Light -- Next: Fear Of Music]


Tracklisting:
Thank You For Sending Me An Angel / With Our Love / The Good Thing / Warning CD Side: Sign / The Girls Want To Be With The Girls / Found A Job / Artists Only / I'm Not In Love / Stay Hungry / Take Me To The River / The Big Country / Stay Hungry* / I'm Not In Love* / The Big Country* / Thank You For Sending Me An Angel (Country Angel version)*

DVD Side: same as above without bonus tracks; plus, 1978 live perf. of Found A Job and Warning Sign

Musicians:
David Byrne - guitar, vocals, synth drums
Chris Frantz - percussion, drums
Jerry Harrison - organ, synth, guitar, piano, background vocals
Tina Weymouth - bass
Brian Eno - synth, guitar, percussion, piano, background vocals

Discography:
Talking Heads: 77 (1977/2006*)
More Songs About Buildings And Food (1978/2006*)
Fear Of Music (1979/2006*)
Remain In Light (1980/2006*)
The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads (1982)
Speaking In Tongues (1983/2006*)
Stop Making Sense (1984/2006*)
Little Creatures (1985/2006*)
Sounds From True Stories (1986)
True Stories (1986/2006*)
Naked (1988/2006*)
Popular Favorites 1976-1992: Sand In The Vaseline (1992)
The Best Of Talking Heads: Once In A Lifetime (1992)
Stop Making Sense (Special Edition) (1999)
12 X 12 Original Mixes (1999)
The Best Of Talking Heads (2004)
Talking Heads Brick (2005) (DualDisc Box Set)

*reissued in DualDisc format (CD/DVD)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: April 2nd 2006
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.talking-heads.net
Hits: 2579
Language: english

  

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