Talking Heads- The Great Curve (REACTION//DISCUSSION)

[@jayburdification]

This song is their masterpiece. And that’s totally Adrian Belew. He’s on the entire album. Repeat listens make this better. As well as listening to Fela.

[@adderon]

Eno, Belew and Byrne were a mighty singing trio on this album

[@benoitrenaud519]

This is the fastest track and it keeps getting slower and slower after that. If you listen to the whole thing, you will dance for 20 minutes and end with meditation.

[@-davidolivares]

… not hopeful at this point.

[@gaseousgiant8053]

I like your honesty in saying you're not "getting" this album - there are so many records I hated the first time I heard them, but then the day comes when they suddenly click - those songs/albums then become my favorites, maybe because I had to put so much time and energy into them. Thanks!

[@br.martindallyosb1147]

Exactly! Thanks for stating it so well!

[@JustJP]

So so true Giant, thank you and I'll definitely keep goin

[@stevenolsen3162]

Put it on in the car when you've got a little distance to go..

[@FelizJesusbirth]

Another way to think about the idea of the "Curve" in the context of the album - I think it's that the world is not made of straight lines but we take it and turn it into that so we can understand it. That's essentially what calculus is, the measuring of a curve by breaking it down into a series of points. I think this fits into some of the lines from "Crosseyed and Painless" in particular. The world is more interesting and complex than our descriptions are capable of rendering it. This album was my introduction to Talking Heads and I fell in love with it right away but I can also understand that it doesn't exactly have universal appeal. One thing that's interesting about this album, as others have mentioned, is how much it slows down. It's almost like an aural representation of the universe - you start off with a bang with "Born Under Punches", the middle is "Once in a Lifetime" (seems appropriate) and then by the last track "The Overload" you're dealing with the heat death of the universe. Or something.

[@-davidolivares]

Whoa, you jumped into the deep end first, respect.

[@FelizJesusbirth]

@@-davidolivares haha, thanks, hope it made some sense! (oh wait, it's Talking Heads, I'm supposed to stop making sense so never mind)

[@-davidolivares]

@@FelizJesusbirth Ooh Nevermind would be good.

[@JustJP]

Love that interpretation Sheik, thank you for writing that up. Never thought of it that way

[@FelizJesusbirth]

@@JustJP Hey, thanks for reading! :) And thank you for the great channel, I appreciate that you are so honest with your reactions. I'll quickly echo what others have said and suggest the "Speaking in Tongues" album, I think that would be more to your liking.

[@markspooner1224]

I love this whole album, such a pity you can't get into it but kudos for persevering.

[@-davidolivares]

A for effort, D for understanding the assignment.

[@markspooner1224]

The dog ate my homework (he said).@@-davidolivares

[@br.martindallyosb1147]

The very early 80s were a rich period for art rock, as artists like Eno, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, David Bowie, and others explored and incorporated musical styles from African cultures. (Let us not forget Paul Simon's explorations of different world musics throughout his career!) The thing I love about The Great Curve is it's communal spirit. There is so much going on musically, yet it all comes together beautifully into a coherent whole. Everything in this piece enhances supports everything else. A vision of how diversity can enrich and support us all. I may have said this before, but I have found that some albums that don't grab me at first but have a reputation for profundity, when I go back and give them another try, I eventually begin to understand them better, and they begin to seduce me. So do keep this album in mind, as I suspect you'll eventually learn to really appreciate it. Sometimes the music that has the most lasting effect on us is that album we couldn't get into at first listen.

[@kevinm4138]

I agree that’s why I try not to dismiss anything on a first listen. My example would the band Luna. I bought their debut on the strength of the song “ Slash your Tires.” The rest of the album was slower and more melodic, almost shoe gazzy, not my style at the time . Gave it more listens gradually loved it and now I’m a big Luna fan.

[@JustJP]

100% true Martin, I'll keep on listening and see how the seeds grow :D

[@br.martindallyosb1147]

@@kevinm4138 I love Luna! My personal favorite is Penthouse; I love that album. I also love the fact the someone who listens to Talking Heads also listens to Luna. I mean, how cool is that? When King Crimson's Discipline first came out, it took me a while to "get" it. I also remember the first time I heard Philip Glass' Einstein On The Beach. I couldn't stop laughing and think to myself, "This!? This is what all the hype was about!?!" Now I love it. But good on you for Luna!

[@kevinm4138]

@@br.martindallyosb1147 the weird thing is I never got into Galaxie 500 and I’m from the Boston area. Haven’t seen Luna since they reformed, hopefully will see them in Portsmouth NH in August.

[@RubraLIber]

"Sometimes the music that has the most lasting effect on us is that album we couldn't get into at first listen" Holy words

[@jimhardiman3836]

The percussion is impeccable yet static. The bass and drums never deviate from that groove/chord. That allows the music on top to change and morph. That's the African influence. And it helps having Adrian Belew filling up all that sonic space. Talking Heads were Trance before Trance. Love it

[@Russ_Keith]

For me, the unsung hero(in)e of this track and indeed the whole album is Nona Hendryx on backing vocals, you know, the one that stands out in front of the rest. Her voice is a mood that permeates this album. She was previously 1/3rd of Labelle (who released the original version of Lady Marmalade) and had a string of funky rock albums of her own throughout the 80s. As progressive as T.H. but in a different direction and an inspired choice for inclusion on this album.

[@-davidolivares]

Have you heard them with Laura Nyro, Gonna Take A Miracle? Fantastic little album.

[@Russ_Keith]

@@-davidolivares I have the album but because It's filed under Laura Nyro it always gets missed out when I'm looking for a a Labelle album to listen to. I'm grateful to you for reminding me of it. I've just put it on. On the face of it, it seems like an unlikely collaboration but I've found those sometimes yield surprisingly good results and this is a good example. I'm 71 and I've been collecting albums since my teens so as you can imagine I've a pretty big collection and it's all too easy for things to get overlooked or (temporarily) forgotten. In fact I've got to the stage where I sometimes can't remember the name of the artist who performed a track I want to hear. It takes a bit of detective work and some free association but I usually get there. I agree with your assessment. Fantastic little album.

[@-davidolivares]

@@Russ_Keith The Bells is my heartbreaking favorite.

[@Russ_Keith]

@@-davidolivares The thought that entered my head when I listened to that track was "This is what Motown wanted to be". My favourite off the album is the title song, maybe because I've liked that song for most of my life, and I thought the same when listening to this version.

[@-davidolivares]

@@Russ_Keith I’m gonna listen to tonight. Appreciate the appreciation of this wonderful album. Wish Justin would give it a try.

[@bobholtzmann]

It's a static groove, but the vocals and guitar produced a strong revolutionary sound in 1980. I lived at that time, and it was a bit frustrating to see the focus of youth shift to dance parties, partially the result of the Disco craze wrought by Donna Summer and the Bee Gees. The punk and alternative style of songs like "The Great Curve" were a strong counterweight to the disco trend. The 1970s were a more suitable youth culture to me. There was more time for thoughtful reflection, and the music encouraged that. I could put on Vangelis' Heaven and Hell to reflect on the mysteries of the universe, and not feel out of place.

[@therealtwiggyleaf]

Hey JP! Thanks for continuing on your journey through Remain in Light. I have to admit, from memory, when I first heard the album, I did not really get it either. I had liked the earlier post punk Talking Heads, but at the time, I was fully into Prog Rock. However, as I listened to it more, and especially after seeing the video for "Once in a Lifetime", I suddenly GOT IT! The groove! The Byrne/Eno production! The whole thing! Let me say it to you in a way I think you might appreciate. "It is chicken, it is eggs. It is in between your legs. It is walking on the moon, leaving your cocoon." As you quite rightly note, it is as danceable today as it was in the Eighties, but it outmaneuvered DISCO and it predated popular HOUSE. I think it will stand through time as one of the very finest albums of the Eighties, and one of the most influencial pop records of all time. 😎

[@theartistformerlyknownasje6358]

Great song. My grandma use to sing this to me before bedtime. Those were the days 😴

[@-davidolivares]

You go grams.

[@JustJP]

Thats awesome! :D

[@maruad7577]

It borrows so heavily from African music of that era. It is great dance music. It lives for the groove. Dibango, Ade and Kuti are where this songs roots lay.

[@jameswarner5809]

I think you may find their Speaking In Tongues album easier to get into. Remain In Light tends to be about the groove - they set it up and then work around it - which can come across as repetitive if you don't buy into the groove they have set up... ...but you can never listen to too much prog!

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Their best record!

[@tarheel8494]

this song changed my life the first time I heard it. Goes for the whole album, but this is the centerpiece. The groove is where it's at, JP. The horns, the vocals, the entire pulsing collaboration. That's where it's at. and Brian Eno is on top of it all. it's a masterpiece. drop a sugarcube, maybe, and try again.

[@lucianoteixeira7993]

As someone said in previous commentaries on this album, the b-side is slightly more straightforward, after this side rollercoaster (maybe more of a avalanche with tribal sounds). So, you can relate easier this way. For me, at my firts listens to this album, I have similar feelings. I found it fascinating, but somehow overwhelmed. Like the last song in this album, i felt "the overload". It took me sometine until really be grabbed by this. Just in the beginning of the next side, with Once in a Lifetime, I guess you'll finally start getting into it. Thanks for your persistence and your always welcomed open-mindedness and generosity towards your audience, us!

[@-davidolivares]

They should have named this album The Overload.

[@lucianoteixeira7993]

@@-davidolivares I have to agree

[@gaseousgiant8053]

The live recording of this in Rome in 1980 is awesome - the crowd was totally into the groove, Adrian Belew was let loose and the singers were on fire! I think you'll like it!

[@LifelikeFiction]

The whole album is so important for rock and pop music. It introduces a new rhythm to popular music and inspired nearly everything beyond 😎🤘

[@robertjewell9727]

That is most definitely Belew. I don't know if it's going to click for you or not. There's a bit more variation on Side 2 so perhaps that will offer you more interest. But I find the album really vibrant. As much as there is going on in the sound textures, it is still a kind of minimalism borne out in rhythms rather than being progresdively chordally developmental like more orchestrally influenced prog. It's certainly more an early world music sound.

[@kevinhodgson2990]

When I heard the guitar I also was thinking Adrian Belew. Wiki says he was used throughout this album at the request of Byrne. AB is a great fit for this style of music. I very much enjoyed it.

[@JustJP]

Ty Rob, definitely up to keep listenin :D

[@johnhoerl7326]

As I mentioned on your Crosseyed and Painless reaction, this is a song much better appreciated live. It’s a trance-like rhythmic excursion. Their 1980 Rome concert version is amazing in its intensity, with two bass players, Adrian Belew coming totally unglued on guitar, and a high-energy crowd. At one point Tina stands on top of a speaker cabinet while a roadie holds onto her ankles trying to keep her from falling. This studio version simply cannot hope to capture the true potential of the song kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHy0m6xmZ8qkhc0

[@matrobnew]

Rome concert is dazzling. Both their new RIL songs and their Fear songs are just completely lit. Audio and video quality aren't up to Demme's Stop Making Sense standard, but IMO the performance is better.

[@johnhoerl7326]

@@matrobnew Agreed. The crowd is insane, the band is feeding off that energy, and the whole thing feels like it’s right on the edge of veering completely off the rails

[@adderon]

Cocaine's a hell of a drug. In a good way this time

[@LifelikeFiction]

I had the first 3 albums from Talking Heads, so I buyed the 4th. And it was so different - on th first listen - and I don’t liked it. But in those days it cost me 25 DM, and that was a lot for me in those days. So I listen it very often and between the 10th an 20th time listening I understand it. And now it’s my favorite album of all timen, because 40 years later I discover something new, when I listen it.

[@scifimonkey3]

Justin, I think it’s about the focus of the music. The prog that both you and I love is sit down and listen music whereas this is very much get up and move music. This album in particular side one is more of a dance album than their earlier ones which had a bit more of a spread.Side two is more mixed in vibe with once in a lifetime being the man single and perhaps more in tune with previous albums. Absolutely no-one sat down at their gigs even if they had a seat. Even those in wheelchairs were busy running over peoples feet.

[@-davidolivares]

If the song doesn’t have higher register voices and meandering song constructions, he doesn’t like it. (this is a joke)

[@edvinlaine]

Great choice. Remarkable album. I've always seen Adrian Belew's guitar as elephants communicating on this one. It was a privelege to see Belew with his Power Trio live few years in Helsinki Finland. Excellent musicians, very warm stage presence. It was fun.

[@ronjm945]

Fantastic Album of groundbreaking music. Rhythms layered vocals overdriven guitars…

[@foxandscout]

Saw them many times, from very early on. This concert at Radio City in NYC was one the the best concerts ever (and I’ve been to hundreds). Belew, Nona, etc. It was fantastic. Seeing them before they even had an album . . . Cherished memories.

[@minkhollow]

Adrian Belew sidetrack: "Fear Is Never Boring," the Raisins. Not sure it got a lot of love outside the Greater Cincinnati area, but it's phenomenal.

[@bjwnashe5589]

Byrne and Eno had been listening to a lot of Afro-Beat music. Fela Kuti is a big influence on this album. Byrne and Eno wanted to incorporate Afro-Beat music into the context of New Wave and Art-Rock. So they are breaking with western musical notions of "change" and "progression." Byrne and Eno were interested in repetition, cycles of rhythm, with various vocals and sounds layered on top. So in this sense it is a kind of trance music, made for dancing.

[@cujocujo4942]

To each person it hits them at different times. This album took a few times to get me clicking. I used it to clean my house on a rainy day...I found myself dancing and lip syncing, and it changed my experience. I now LOVE this album bc of our symbiotic relationship of it getting me moving when I need my work done.

[@drheadjog6333]

One of my favourite Talking Heads tracks, you should check out Zappa's 'City of Tiny Lights/Lites'(live), Adrian Belew on vocals, Zappa on guitar and Terry Bozzio on drums, for me, it hits the mark every time, as does this track😎

[@DavidAvery777]

As a prog rock fan myself this the hardest Talking Heads album for me to get into. I just like chord changes too much. It gets better every time I hear It and for me It sounds best while driving.

[@blitztim6416]

You can hear why they had to add musicians for live performances of these songs. Such a great groove. Love the Belew solos. As others have mentioned, the live in Rome performance is a great video of this. The crowd is in ecstasy.

[@JoeVideoed]

TYSVM for not interrupting the song. It's best to be listened to undisturbed.

[@dannyortega382]

adrian belew's guitar playing on this is fire. also this album took me years to really understand it and appretiate it

[@michaelbochnia5686]

Always really digged this song. Fast, jazzy, dancy. Horns and percussion lay down a fast dance number. Then the solo.... Just such a cool feel in this. Nice vid Justin.

[@jvmonte6638]

Love this song and album. Great review Justin. Peace and love from Toronto ✌️❤️🇨🇦

[@amnril]

You so need to listen to this brilliant album from one end to the other. For me, it’s in my top five albums of the 80’s. Just listen to the tone of David’s voice and the way it rides the songs. Please don’t give up on this Album, for me, the best tracks are yet to come.

[@-davidolivares]

Don’t know if I can take an album review.

[@kevinm4138]

I’m the complete opposite I get bored with all the tempo changes in most prog. I guess that’s why I got interested in punk, a quick burst of energy and right to the point. I think as you as explore other bands in the punk, post punk new wave genre you’ll find a lot of different interesting styles as you have found with XTC, Siouxse and the Banshees, Killing Joke, Joy Division , etc.

[@noteverton]

Brian Eno produced this masterpiece. His track "Kings Lead Hat" is an anagram of Talking heads.

[@greenbluemonkey]

I love TH songs that make use of the whole band's voices like this one. I agree with others, they were a dance band. A complex, multi rhythmatic multi cultural based dance band, with socio political lyrics. Went to more than one Talking Head concert, and you are definitely not sitting down for the entire time. I listened to prog rock at home, but instead of discos, I danced at TH concerts.

[@terjerendalsvik5461]

i really love this album , one of the best ! this hypnotic beat is some form of extacy. like primitive beats from indian music etc

[@terjerendalsvik5461]

someknd of religious experience

[@a.k.1740]

Justin, I have the feeling that you will prefer the second part of the album which, while remaining very repetitive and focused on the rhythm, is more introspective. The second side of the album is the one I prefer because I find more research and musical variety there.

[@kuhnhan]

You are right, Adrian Belew did play guitar on this. My favorite part of the song. "Once in a Lifetime" is, for me, the best track on this album.

[@Pcrimson1]

JP , your honesty is greatly appreciated. For me, being a big prog-head from the 70s, then a punk/new wave fanatic in the 80s, this album was heaven. A punk band morphing into more complex sounds and textures, becoming PROGressive. I wonder if you would like LCD Sound System, they were a Talking Heads for the early 2000s. I don't know if you're familiar with them.

[@leoscone4036]

An important tip of the hat for the whole sound of this album is well deserved by Brian Eno who produced this album. One can sense Eno's touch on U-2's "Unforgettable Fire", which he also produced. Eno could add atmosphere like no one else.

[@vdggmouse9512]

This was the state of radio music at that time - and TH were on FM radio and promoted by our stations where I live. This is one of their songs that was OK. Compared to most of the music that radio offered this was great - compared to the prog music I was into - this was just OK and didn't make it into my personal collection whether that be vinyl, cassette, or even 8 track. Back then it was a Cheap Trick (Stop This Game) after that a Blondie number (Tide Is High) then an Eagles song (The Long Run, I Can't Tell You Why), then Bowie (Fashion, Ashes to Ashes, Scary Monsters), Fleetwood Mac (Tusk, Angel, Sisters Of Moon), Steely Dan (Hey Nineteen, Babylon Sisters) - they just played these songs on an endless loop - so the Talking Heads did stick out as a noticeable difference. OK musically at times - but their weakest spot - an important one - the vocals. Can't get into the robotic, rather droll and unemotional style that Byrne adopted.

[@briangray00]

Context: This was new once (41 years ago). It's been influential, but you've heard it's babies and it's grandchildren already; this may be why you're not blown away by it.

[@williamfranz6639]

It wasn't Jerry Harrison. Saw AB at the Garden when he was Bowie's guitarist. Belew went through period where he played for Zappa, Bowie, the Heads, and finally Crimson. The famous interchange when Bowie stole him from Zappa took place when Bowie with Belew bumped into Zappa who basically said," FU CAPTAIN TOM." I always liked his playing on this song the most.

[@foxandscout]

Saw Belew when he was with Bowie, also when he was with King Crimson. But best was seeing him several times in small clubs, solo. Both 30 years ago (Bottom Line) , a decade ago, and recently. At Joe’s Pub I was 3 feet away. The place is so tiny everyone is close. He also displayed his paintings, which I don’t love.

[@nicholasmartin297]

That distorted guitar though… visceral!

[@-R.Gray-]

It's Adrian Belew's guitar solos on the live versions of these songs that are the highlight for me, and the question was always "How exactly is he doing that?" Also see Belew on Jerry Harrison's album The Red And The Black.

[@a.k.1740]

It's just controlled feedback as he does on the album.

[@-davidolivares]

@@a.k.1740 It’s a little more than that… I forgot what box he has but he twiddles the knobs while feedbacking. Frequency Analyzer and echo maybe.

[@a.k.1740]

@@-davidolivares Yes Belew has effects but the sound he produces on this track comes mainly from the feedback generated by the saturation of his amp and the way he controls it by orienting his guitar more or less towards his amplifier (on which he twiddles the knobs while feedbacking).

[@-davidolivares]

@@a.k.1740 Not disputing that but he was taking it further than say, Hendrix or at least adding his spin on it.

[@a.k.1740]

@@-davidolivares Hendrix's sound, playing and music are totally different to make a comparison between him and Adrian Belew. in addition, the eras are also different but both have contributed to rock guitar playing.

[@barbarjinx3802]

It’s about being in the groove man. Big influence on Phish. After they played it live for a Halloween show they recorded their grooviest album Story of the Ghost.

[@delllittle5692]

We tried to cover this in the 80's it was tough keeping the energy up. needed about 5 more people.

[@matthisknopf2878]

I will take a wild guess and predict that the "listening wind" will make a connection with you and produce that click you are looking for. Keep on keeping on. :)

[@voiceover2191]

This is really a song not to listen to, but to turn up really loud, switch off brain and dance your ass off to.

[@jameshannagan7830]

There are certain bands that really reward multiple listens out of all those types of bands I like and more importantly think the best two are the Talking Heads and even more so Radiohead both bands reward listening to the whole album and most of the time the songs I like most after only a couple of listens change quite a bit after digesting it some.

[@Kyle_heringer]

Feels like dancing

[@toshibautoob]

I can't tell you how many times I listened to an album the first time and went meh or even actively disliked it but then, since I bought the damn thing I listened again and a few days later, again and Ohhh, the light bulb lit up.

[@izzonj]

Two comments. I listened to a lot of prog in the 70s. When the New Wave came in I dropped prog which felt too overloaded and trying too hard to impress (I'm back into it again). Two, when this album came out they're was a review in the Washington Post which described it as "combining African polyrhythms with punk nonsensabilities to create dance music for white intellectuals. " To which we devoted Head Heads said, "yeah, that's it!" Lol

[@manualboyca]

Justin, I feel the same way as you about this album. I got into Talking Heads late in the game (in the mid-90's), and I totally fell in love with their first 3 albums. This one never clicked for me - though I like certain songs and certain grooves, but the album is not one I put on very often. However, I do appreciate their experimentation. It's similar to "Kid A" by Radiohead, in that it's a big departure from their previous sound and genre. The difference is that Kid A grew on me over the years and now it's one of my favorite albums ever.

[@benoitrenaud519]

How to be truly innovative and move beyond the world of 70’s prog? This album did it. So did Peter Gabriel with his third album. So did Kate Bush with Never for Ever.

[@pentagrammaton6793]

Yeah the New Wave purposefully rejected what had gone before, and popular music has steadily declined ever since.

[@gidgetmaurer123]

It's a heady mix of layers and rhythms. A beautiful piece of work. Id suggest you put XTCs Black Sea on your list of albums to absorb, which came out at about the same time.

[@murdockreviews]

Yeah, it is a great track 🙂 From the stiff new wave/post-punk of the first 2 albums, the Heads became more and more groove monsters!

[@jasonbrandt5504]

Good on you for staying with it. Obviously we all adore this album but you don’t have to! At least you’re trying. Once in a lifetime is the single and where it’s another amazing song, it weirdly slightly out of place on this album. But hopefully you will like that one. You may have also heard it !

[@drfoxcourt]

It's not really fair to be sitting down when you listen to this. You bob your head, but this music demands dancing. The whole thing is a complex of phrasing, rhythm play, and two massive Belew solos. Keep going Justin.

[@JustJP]

You may just be right drfox!

[@JeromeDukes]

I've heard great things about this band but only know their hits songs I've heard on the radio. Based on this track how many people are in this band? I'm hearing two drummers, at least two guitars, multiple vocals sounds like ten people. This song would be cool to see live. In regards to this song, cool tribal groove but the song came across as static in movement. That lead guitar player is really, really cool. Loved both solos, and how he uses the whammy bar. The 2nd guitar solo sounded like a sax to me... really cool.

[@RubraLIber]

br.martindallyosb1147 say "Sometimes the music that has the most lasting effect on us is that album we couldn't get into at first listen". Holy words, it's as if there was an unconscious incubation and many aspects are perceived and put together only after numerous listens interrupted by long periods in which the album is not listened to. TH are more like a quartet of painters, two of which are figurative and the other two conceptual and abstract: a mix that makes enjoyment interesting, engaging and long-lasting. After a lot of effort you manage to enjoy a varied and complex whole, but everything also becomes direct and immediate. With these guys you need a lot of patience

[@sylvanm4216]

I think this kind of groove music is difficult to digest in single song form. These first three songs were really meant to be heard in sequence, as almost a single extended groove that fills a full side of a record and gets hotter and hotter. Their great concert film "Stop Making Sense" does this perhaps even better, in the masterful way they build up the intensity from song to song, gradually unleashing their full power. It really has to be seen in its entirety!

[@PeterWesleyBastone]

Check out David Byrne/ Brian Eno's album "My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts" , more worldly sounds. Adrian did play lead on "The Great Curve"

[@JustJP]

Ty Peter! I actually covered the whole album (its somewhere o. The channel lol)

[@Contextcatcher]

Relativity of erotica: the metaphysical woman here is like gravity: the curve of spacetime... "the world (Mother Earth, Cosmos) moves on a womans hips". Poetic playing with contrasts 'define (describe precise like a scientist) and 'divine' (praise like a priest)... and so on and so on. And erotica in uni... verse is all about suggestive associations 😇. Unique masterpiece.

[@williamwhitaker786]

David Byrne, a magical musician and composer goes without saying, Credit must go also to the band, especially during the early eighties. He may well not have made it without them. The bands cohesion and perfection of playing great rhythm gave so such more power to his songs. As for the repetition, even subtle changes make it not so. Look to the great masters of prog-rock, Pink Floyd, ELP, ELO, etc...If the repetition slowly rises to a crescendo, it only gives the piece that much power. Look back 400 yrs, the same principle applied back then, with Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart. It is their works and others that have inspired our (last 100 yrs) of modern day artists.

[@btannereagle]

This is a great cut!

[@raymondcpl]

RIL - an album of two halves... One goes to move your arse, the other targets the mind....

[@matrobnew]

Some day we'll all look back on this and laugh.... I do think it's possible that while you will certainly (eventually) 'get' what they're doing musically here, you may never like it, the way you might like their more accessible albums which is, basically. every single other album of theirs. I think you would like most of "Little Creatures" on a first listen. They don't do prog, ever -- they stay true to their post-punk/New Wave roots in that sense---but 'True Stories' and 'Little Creatures' both have a warmth to them, and in many cases a kind of pop-rock sensibility and structure and even (gasp) some storytelling lyrics. And in saying this I'm not dogging those albums at all; I love them. I think True Stories, Little Creatures and Naked (so their final three) are by far the most underrated among hardcore TH fans. Creatures also has "Road to Nowhere", which was a breakout hit well beyond their usual fanbase of the time--you may well find that you've already heard it. So by definition it's super-poppy in some way, but still absolutely true to their principles of driving, building, steady rhythm. Anyway, you'll see what I mean when you finally get to Creatures in 2025....

[@Lightmane]

A couple of us were talking on discord and we thought it would be really fun to watch both you and Daniel react to the Olias of Sunhillow album together, partly because you've interviewed each other and also because you both now have the album and have yet to listen to it. Seems like a good idea, but can you both react to it together? I'm not sure, but I'm guessing yes 😀 Oh yes, one more thing. You're silent during the music and don't pause. Daniel talks and pauses. Seems like a perfect match, hah hah 😜

[@davidthibodeau6886]

My friend group an I always listened to TH but honestly only a few of us liked Remain in Light and some of the Fear of Music tracks. Speaking in Tongues or the more punk-ish stuff from the first two albums will probably fit your tastes better. Everyone I know loves Stop Making Sense.

[@1nelsondj]

I like how the different vocal bits are introduced and eventually all sung at once, overlapping. And yes that ending anarchic guitar solo is killer. The lyrics are pretty sterile, not a lot of emotion there or even deep meaning. This morning I've been at the other end of the spectrum, listening to some Art Garfunkel solo albums. His first 4 are all excellent if you enjoy good singing. The 3rd is my favorite, "Watermark" where Jimmy Webb wrote most of the songs. Today I played the 4th one "Fate for Breakfast" (the rear sleeve says at the bottom "Doubt for Dessert"). Probably not your type of music but I love it, very mellow, tugs at the heartstrings especially the song 'Miss You Nights'.

[@dennismason3740]

Yes, it sounds like Adrian Belew. That's my guess.

[@stevenmurano7863]

man i freakin love this album. i think it's their best. and yeah...that's Belew playing

[@courtneywallace871]

Personally, I love this album and think it might be their best. However, the one album I don’t see anyone mentioning is their last one, Naked. Another one of my favorites and I think you’ll find it a bit more accessible. However, I DO live Belew’s work on this album. You need to check out some of his solo work.

[@sep55]

The. Studio recordings are great... but the live in Rome stuff is spectacular, Adrian Belew, Nona Hendryx, Bernie Worrell to name a few, are fabulous!! The energy is breathtaking. In my opinion, anyway.

[@Lwize]

Dat bass.

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

I really appreciate you commitment in continuing to move through this album. With respect to the lead guitar, I think it's faintly possible it's David Byrne, and most likely Adrian Belew; I don't see any way it's Jerry Harrison. May I make a suggestion? To more full enjoy this album, try abandoning expectations of what should happen "next" in the songs. I found that focusing on a single instrument would, ironically, open up the entire palette of sound to my ear. At any rate, we all thank you for reacting to this, and as always your honest opinion is important to us.

[@brumleyhall]

Definitely Adrian Belew. It sounds just like his guitar playing on "Discipline".

[@adderon]

sick horns

[@Doupyourflies]

I love it, if it has to be classified then trance funk?

[@JustJP]

That sounds quite right!

[@mjp3186]

I like 77 their first album. For example Don't worry about the government.

[@foxandscout]

Love that album; love that song; love the TH

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

The Talking Heads were heavily influenced by African performers Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade....Afrobeat performers....prior to making the album.

[@gaiaeternal5131]

Afternoon, Justin. Dave from Blighty. (Give Me The Beat Boy And Free My Soul, I Wanna Get Lost In Your Rock 'N Roll, And Drift Away.) And you've given me a banging tribal beat here, but I think I'm with you that the song is a bit too long and repetitive. Nevertheless you really must persevere with the next two tracks at least. Once in a Lifetime is a killer song, probably my favourite from TH; and Houses in Motion features the legendary Jon Hassell whose sad passing I was mourning only yesterday.

[@-davidolivares]

Oh no, really? Love Jon, I will mourn with you. Fourth World stuff is great.

[@cat-o-matic]

This band is sophisticated both musically and lyrically. You have to think deeply about what you"re hearing. Too deep for pop appeal.

[@jaybird4093]

I think Adrian Belew, as a vocalist, was strongly influenced by David Byrne. Some of the singing on this track made me think of the song “Three of a Perfect Pair” by King Crimson which was recorded a few years later and was also covered by Between the Buried and Me. I feel the same way about the tracks, so far, that you do. Too long for my taste. I like The Police because, even though repetitive, their songs are a half to a third the length of these songs.

[@justink5585]

I think the album has the potential to grow on you if you decide to re listen to it at some point, maybe in one go if you ever find the time. All the interesting layers of rhythm and harmony can put you into this tribal trance when you spend the full 40 minutes attached to it, although the absence of usual chord progressions and song structures can make the first listen quite alienating and somewhat monotonous. Also, you’ll probably like the next song, “Once in a Lifetime”, the most.

[@JustJP]

You may be right! I'll keep on going :D

[@glibmedley2314]

Fine with Justin not digging RiL, for while I was a fan back in the day, the Talking Heads catalog leaves me cold now.

[@arisu9085]

hey so i just discovered your channel, loved the concept and the reviews can you please do one on Air Born by Camel? i'd love to see what you think about it

[@arisu9085]

​@@Katehowe3010i dont know much about both of these bands, i absolutely love the one song i know from the stranglers (which is golden brown, obviously), but this camel song in particular is very touching and beautiful in its own way and it definitely deserves a listen, even by non-prog fans

[@arisu9085]

@@Katehowe3010 id love some recommendations on the stranglers tho, golden brown is such a unique and amazing piece, its been on my mind for months and i couldn't find anything like it yet

[@JustJP]

Ty! Always a chance, I've enjoyed what I've heard from Camel

[@swirll360]

JP from what I could find on the interwebs Adrian Belew is on the record but played guitar not bass. According to Allmusic www.allmusic.com/album/remain-in-light-mw0000192118/credits Tina played bass (Jerry is also credited for bass) even though there were some internal conflicts with the band at the time. I'm not saying this is gospel but its seems to be consistent across the interwebs.

[@riniones]

no harmony changes here, man... go to bebop for that... it's also a cool thing but, personally, I'm all for the root, hypnotic rhythms and groove-centric music experience like this track provides

[@JustJP]

Ty riniones, It took me a while, but I ended up loving the album :D

[@stevenbaccari716]

I guess JP never got my music email

[@An_Cat_Dubh]

I've always admired this album for its grooves, specific sound textures, and its general concepts. But if you primarily love chord structures and melodic lines, then African-style polyrhythms will not satisfy in the same way. That's just life. As time goes on, you may find yourself allowing for both things in your musical tastes, or you may stick more to the harmony and melody side of the equation. Who knows? It's an adventure...

[@Prog_drummer35]

More VDGG please

[@mtrimm1]

Love Talking Heads, but never really clicked with this album. YMMV, obviously.

[@onemerlin]

That's absolutely Adrian Belew, not Jerry Harrison. I can understand finding it repetitive; as you said, it was revolutionary and ground-breaking in its deep, multi-layered production approach, but that's no longer novel after a few decades of world music and polyrhythms. If it doesn't grab you, then it doesn't, but I'm glad to see you recognize the depth even if it's not a direction you find interesting. Given your love for Belew and for intricate music, I'd obviously be pushing 80's era King Crimson... but Fripp won't allow secondary use of his work, so it's really not available for you. :( Perhaps try some of Belew's solo work? It's rather all-over-the-place, and as a songwriter he's more Beatles-esque than Crimson-esque, but there's interesting material there. Try his first solo album if you can find it, Lone Rhino, or the second, Twang Bar King.

[@jfergs.3302]

Funny one this. If you can isolate the central tune, it's pretty catchy, hypnotic even, though a little repetitive. But to my mind this's overly busy. Over the central tune you have a whole host of voices (i wouldn't call them harmonies), and percussion as well. Chris's drumming would've been fine alone to handle this relatively simple track. Not their best work, but alright. .

[@benoitrenaud519]

Was that Fripp on the electric guitar?

[@hotblackdesiato3022]

Adrian Belew

[@robertjewell9727]

Belew

[@An_Cat_Dubh]

Belew, but he's about to meet Robert Fripp. ;)

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

No. Belew.