Talking Heads - Little Creatures


Year of Release: 2006
Label: Rhino
Catalog Number: 76454
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 eighth (and last) 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 always loved the Little Creatures album, with its infectious rhythms and pop sensibilities, it was one of the best albums of 1985, and it was loaded with potential hit singles. The recording was a perfect fit for the MTV format at the time. I remember the "Stay Up Late" video very well. I love that line ? "cute, cute, little baby, little pee-pee, little toes" - what a riot watching David Byrne with straight laced facial expressions singing that song; come to think of it, I do not think I ever saw the man smile.

"Road To Nowhere" is one of the best songs the Talking Heads ever recorded, its in my personal top ten for the band. The bonus tracks feature the early versions of "Road To Nowhere" and "And She Was" and a wonderful extended mix of "Television Man." All three were real bonus tracks, not bogus tracks. The videos of "Road To Nowhere" and "And She Was" were a pleasure to view as well, all of their videos were interesting but these two were Warhol influenced masterpieces.

This is an album to cherish, the last truly great Talking Heads studio recording.

[Previous: Talking Heads 77]


Tracklisting:
CD Side: And She Was / Give Me Back My Name / Creatures Of Love / The Lady Don't Mind / Perfect World / Stay Up Late / Walk It Down / Television Man / Road To Nowhere / Road To Nowhere* / And She Was* / Televison Man (extended mix)*

DVD Side same as above except bonus tracks; plus, And She Was and Road To Nowhere videos

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

Guests

Ellen Bernfeld - background vocals
Andrew Cader - washboard
Erin Dickens - background vocals
Diva Gray - background vocals
Gordon Grody - background vocals
Lani Groves - background vocals
Jimmy MacDonell - accordion
Lenny Pickett - saxophone
Steve Scales - bongos, conga, tambourine
Nan? Vasconcelos - water drums
Kurt Yahijian - 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: Rock

Origin US

Added: April 2nd 2006
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck
Score:
Artist website: www.talking-heads.net
Hits: 2689
Language: english

  

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