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| Photo: Genius |
Inspired by multiple music review blogs, websites and music review based YouTube channels, I have decided to do my own "classic review". I'll be looking at the Talking Heads' 1983 album Speaking in Tongues...
Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues (Sire Records, 1983)
Established around 1975 to 1976, the Talking Heads became one of the most, or arguably the most, iconic groups to emerge from the new wave era. This New York based art-rock/alt-funk band got its start at the very popular CBGB Nightclub (Country, BlueGrass and Blues), which was also the birthplace of many new wave contemporaries, including the Ramones, Television, Patti Smith, and many more. Prior to this 1983 release, the Talking Heads, which include David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth, already had 4 albums under their belt. Speaking in Tongues was their first record that was produced after their break up from Brian Eno, as well as being the first record not to be produced directly a year later from the last (Album Release Dates: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983). This 5th studio release from the Talking Heads also inspired the band to create a tour movie/film/diary titled "Stop Making Sense".
Track List:
1. Burning Down the House
2. Making Flippy Floppy
3. Girlfriend is Better
4. Slippery People
5. I Get Wild/Wild Gravity
6. Swamp
7. Moon Rocks
8. Pull Up the Roots
9. This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)
Listen to the album HERE
Most likely my favorite album by the Talking Heads, Speaking in Tongues contains songs that were not only popular around the time of its release in 1983, but are still extremely catchy and attractive 34 years later. Even in an age of over stimulation and excitement, this album still rings true as one the 80's most famous records that still holds a solid place in music today.
This is seen with the album's first track, "Burning Down the House". Talking Heads' first and only top 10 American hit, "Burning Down the House" is an exciting and energetic lead track. The consistent acoustic guitar stabs, fun synth sections, and the prominent Burning Down the House! chorus are just a few examples of what make this song so fun and playful. The added background percussion also gives this track great depth.
"Making Flippy Floppy" and "Girlfriend is Better" are probably the most danceable tracks on the album. The chorus on "Making Flippy Floppy" contains this bass escalation that is just so groovy, and on the later half of the chorus, a higher-pitched wobbly synth pops up and just ties this whole section together. Also, the closing guitar solo/jam is so bouncy and poppy, which adds to the overarching danceable vibe this album provides. "Girlfriend is Better" utilizes the power of synth work so well. The constant appearances of mini synth solos throughout this track make the song so spirited and lively.
I love the call-back style chorus on "Slippery People", I think the way Byrne's vocals mesh with the backup singers is so flawless, large and flow-ful. "Swamp" reminds me of like a slower ZZ-Top song or some sort of slow country rock song due to the songs lead guitar section. That beginning section of short synth swells drags me in to this track along with the catchy Hi hi hi hi hi hi! chorus.
"Moon Rocks" and "Pull Up the Roots" are both super funky tracks that utilize background percussion and auxiliary percussion instruments so well. They just add a different touch to the song that make it not only a "rock song" but a catchy alt-funk or rock-funk track.
The closing track "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" is another Talking Heads classic. The track is so affable and calm, and is such a perfect track as a closer for this album. Still very danceable and poppy, "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" coasts with a light and gentle guitar section but also contain a bass line and synth play that drive the song forward. The vocals from David Byrne combined with the instrumentation allow the listener to freely float away and on to another Talking Heads album.
In my opinion, Speaking in Tongues is one of the best full length albums ever produced by the Talking Heads or to even come out of the 1980's. The endless synth sections, playful instrumentation and forever fun danceable mood on this record provide the listener with a solid 48 minutes of groovy, catchy and enjoyable music.
1. Burning Down the House
2. Making Flippy Floppy
3. Girlfriend is Better
4. Slippery People
5. I Get Wild/Wild Gravity
6. Swamp
7. Moon Rocks
8. Pull Up the Roots
9. This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)
Listen to the album HERE
Most likely my favorite album by the Talking Heads, Speaking in Tongues contains songs that were not only popular around the time of its release in 1983, but are still extremely catchy and attractive 34 years later. Even in an age of over stimulation and excitement, this album still rings true as one the 80's most famous records that still holds a solid place in music today.
This is seen with the album's first track, "Burning Down the House". Talking Heads' first and only top 10 American hit, "Burning Down the House" is an exciting and energetic lead track. The consistent acoustic guitar stabs, fun synth sections, and the prominent Burning Down the House! chorus are just a few examples of what make this song so fun and playful. The added background percussion also gives this track great depth.
"Making Flippy Floppy" and "Girlfriend is Better" are probably the most danceable tracks on the album. The chorus on "Making Flippy Floppy" contains this bass escalation that is just so groovy, and on the later half of the chorus, a higher-pitched wobbly synth pops up and just ties this whole section together. Also, the closing guitar solo/jam is so bouncy and poppy, which adds to the overarching danceable vibe this album provides. "Girlfriend is Better" utilizes the power of synth work so well. The constant appearances of mini synth solos throughout this track make the song so spirited and lively.
I love the call-back style chorus on "Slippery People", I think the way Byrne's vocals mesh with the backup singers is so flawless, large and flow-ful. "Swamp" reminds me of like a slower ZZ-Top song or some sort of slow country rock song due to the songs lead guitar section. That beginning section of short synth swells drags me in to this track along with the catchy Hi hi hi hi hi hi! chorus.
"Moon Rocks" and "Pull Up the Roots" are both super funky tracks that utilize background percussion and auxiliary percussion instruments so well. They just add a different touch to the song that make it not only a "rock song" but a catchy alt-funk or rock-funk track.
The closing track "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" is another Talking Heads classic. The track is so affable and calm, and is such a perfect track as a closer for this album. Still very danceable and poppy, "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)" coasts with a light and gentle guitar section but also contain a bass line and synth play that drive the song forward. The vocals from David Byrne combined with the instrumentation allow the listener to freely float away and on to another Talking Heads album.
In my opinion, Speaking in Tongues is one of the best full length albums ever produced by the Talking Heads or to even come out of the 1980's. The endless synth sections, playful instrumentation and forever fun danceable mood on this record provide the listener with a solid 48 minutes of groovy, catchy and enjoyable music.
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