Talking Heads - Talking Heads: 77

Year of Release: 2006
Label: Rhino
Catalog Number: 76449
Format: DVDA
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 seventh 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?

77 is my second most favorite Talking Heads album. There are not many bands that separate themselves from the pack while clearly defining a new genre of music, the Talking Heads did just that with their first effort.

"Psycho Killer" makes you think of the new wave of punk bands in NYC and CBGBs in the 70s. "Pulled Up," which is also a featured bonus video, is another standout track that is nothing but Talking Heads and "Happy Day" impresses me as another archetypal track of that era.

What a great album this is, its so consistent and strong from start to finish and with the addition of five additional bonus tracks, a remastered dual disc and videos, its quite the package and one all Talking Heads fans should not miss.

[Previous: Naked -- Next: Little Creatures]

Tracklisting:
CD Side: Uh-Oh, Love Comes To Town / New Feeling / Tentative Decisions / Happy Day / Who Is It? / No Compassion / The Book I Read / Don't Worry About The Government / First Week/Last Week ... Carefree / Psycho Killer / Pulled Up / Love = Building On Fire* / I Wish You Wouldn't Say That* / Psycho Killer* / I Feel It In My Heart* / Sugar On My Tongue*

DVD Side: same as above without bonus tracks; plus, Pyscho Killer (acoustic) / Pulled Up / Pulled Up (live, video) / I Feel It In My Heart (live, video) and a photo gallery

Musicians:
David Byrne - guitar, vocals, bells
Chris Frantz - drums, tambourine
Jerry Harrison - guitar, keyboards, vocals
Tina Weymouth - bass

Guests:

Brad Baker - horn arrangements
Lance Quinn - horn arrangements
Arthur Russell - cello

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: Rock

Origin US

Added: April 2nd 2006
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.talking-heads.net
Hits: 2590
Language: english