Head Topics

The Best Tracks of Talking Heads: From Dream Operator to No Compassion

  • 📰 GuardianAus
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 45 sec. here
  • 7 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 38%
  • Publisher: 98%

Music News

Talking Heads,Best Tracks,Dream Operator

As an all-star version of 1984’s Stop Making Sense is released, we run down the band’s best tracks, from the beautiful Dream Operator to the existential crisis of Once in a Lifetime – and an unusual No 1has expressed regret that it was released – but that doesn’t stop its highlight, Dream Operator, from being a lovely song. It’s straightforward Americana-influenced rock, miles away from the band’s groundbreaking experimentation, but beautiful.In attitude, at least, No Compassion might be Talking Heads’ punkiest song. A lengthy, funny complaint about what would now be called oversharing – “what are you, in love with your problems?”; “talk to your analysts – isn’t that what they’re paid for?” – it still feels scabrously pertinent 47 years on.Hailed on release as a return to form, the final Talking Heads album, Naked, hasn’t aged well – its horn-assisted funk sounds a bit straitened compared with Remain in Light

. Flowers is the exception that proves the rule: its Latin-American-inspired rhythms are buoyant and its wry take on environmental issues funny.Is there a more bizarrely prescient song in Talking Heads ’ catalogue? A bored couple make their own television show – “inventing situations” involving “all their family … all their friends”. What must once have sounded like a typically quirky Byrne fantasy now seems to predict reality TV. Also: great chorus, exciting crash-straight-in opening.

There is a compelling argument that the definitive version of Slippery People isn’t the one on Speaking in Tongues, but the live version on Stop Making Sense, which amps up the funk and the gospel influence and adds a dramatic a cappella coda. In fact,Remain in Light’s opening track throws the listener straight in at the deep end of Talking Heads’ dense new sound, influenced by Fela Kuti.

Crisscrossing vocal patterns, a rap-inspired bridge, a chorus that seems to pre-empt criticism : you could easily swap the positions of this and Born Under Punches. Indeed, you could include The Great Curve in this list, too, because side one of Remain in Light is that incredible.Another track from Speaking in Tongues that is bested by the live version on Stop Making Sense. That said, both versions are magnificent, hitting a sweet spot between commerciality and experimentation.

Source: Entertainment Trends (entertainmenttrends.net)

Talking Heads Best Tracks Dream Operator No Compassion Music

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 1. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Talking heads: Rare photos reveal a Brisbane the police didn’t want you to seeIt was a time of volatility and it was fleeting. But these black-and-white photographs show Brisbane’s punk and post-punk era in all its historic glory.
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »

Arnold slams clubs over selfish act that could end Aussie Olympic dream: Socceroos Talking PointsFootball: The Socceroos have named an extended 25-man squad for their World Cup Qualifiers against Lebanon.
Source: FOXSportsAUS - 🏆 24. / 51 Read more »

Commuters could get real-time tram data as hunt for new operator tightensThe next Yarra Trams operator may provide passengers with down-to-the-metre tracking.
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »

Commuters could get real-time tram data as hunt for new operator tightensThe next Yarra Trams operator may provide passengers with down-to-the-metre tracking.
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »

SGR ASX: Casino operator Star Entertainment posts $9.1m profit despite revenue fallThe company was forced to delay its financial results after the NSW casino regulator announced a second inquiry into its conduct.
Source: FinancialReview - 🏆 2. / 90 Read more »

Woolworths and Coles are hoarding land, IGA operator tells Senate inquiryThe boss of Metcash Food calls for even stronger merger laws, while Aldi Australia’s boss explains why it has no stores in Tasmania.
Source: theage - 🏆 8. / 77 Read more »