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| Talking Heads - True Stories |
 Released: 1986/2006 Label: Rhino Cat. No.: 76455 Total Time: | |
Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, April 2006 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 fifth 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… This is not the greatest Talking Heads album but it is a fun listen. What I hear is getting back to basics rock and roll, not as in your face and poignant as 77, but nevertheless effective. This was David Byrne's stab at celluloid and matching a soundtrack to it. I never saw the film but regardless of sub-par and overly critically reviews, this was a solid album. "Wild Wild Life" was a great song and very memorable, it was the Talking Heads at their best. You read all of the comments in reviews about how the band was fragmenting and had seen better days yet they remained one of the most creative and popular acts in the world. The great bands are like that, even on a bad day they sound above average. This was a good recording but definitely not one of their best. Bonuses include videos "Wild Wild Life" and "Love For Sale," and on the audio side you get a 5.1 mix Pops Staples version of "Papa Legba," one of the more interesting tracks on the album. Rating: 3.5/5 [Previous: Fear Of Music -- Next: Naked] More about True Stories: Track Listing: CD Side: Love For Sale / Puzzlin' Evidence / Hey No / Papa Legba / Wild Wild Life / Radio Head / Dream Operator / People Like Us / City Of Dreams / Wild Wild Life (extended mix)* / Papa Legba* / Radio Head* Musicians: Contact: Website: www.talking-heads.net Discography
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