Talking Heads ‎– Fear Of Music

Side A Run-Off: Strawberry (C) R/S Alsdorf 56707 A
Side B Run-Off: R/S Alsdorf 56707 B

All Machine Stamped

Their earlier quirky and intentionally naive punk pop albums '77' and 'More Songs About Buildings And Food' lyrically portrayed urban post-industrial life from a surrealist viewpoint, whilst utilising bare-bones melodies and instrumentation, however 'Fear Of Music' signalled a change of direction for the band and the coming of age of one of popular music's most distinctive and experimental ensembles.

The minimalist cover art is immediately suggestive of a dark and challenging sound, with a solid field of jet black hue embossed with a machined texture. The LP itself begins innocuously enough, with 'I Zimbra', nonsensical lyrics in a made-up language accompanied by jaunty African pop rhythyms. However, it soon progresses into the kind of manic intensity of vocal performance and super-tight, stripped-down, funk / punk instrumentation that became Talking Heads' signature. On 'Mind', clip-clop drum beats and spikey guitar riffs are joined by David Byrne's crazed vocals, and a guitar solo where Jerry Harrison seems to be trying to strangle the instrument. 'Paper' is typical of the Heads' lyrical obscurity and compact punk pop. 'Cities' is possibly the album's most racy number, with a fade into headbanging left-of-centre rock punctuated only by Byrne's deranged ramblings. The intensity and emotional impact ramps up as the album progresses, with an interesting analysis of nostalgia and recollection entitled 'Memories Can't Wait' ending the first side.

The album resumes with a heartfelt and sympathetic song about how just being alive can be painful at times, entitled 'Air'. Slowing down for a moment, the band seem to don the disguise of a wedding band performing a sentimental slow dance song, replete with country-style slide guitar, during 'Heaven', then leap back into action on 'Animals', a twisted and jerky refrain of staccato guitar stabs and aggressive vocal tirade. The last two tracks see the whole performance slide and melt into a kind of musical netherworld, unconscious expression and experimentation in full force, dream-like imagery and wild abstraction convincing the listener that they have truly been on a voyage into the unknown, a journey through the mind's secret recesses, an exploration of the dark side of music.

In just the same way that horror films do, 'Fear Of Music' evokes awe, discomfort, and suspense; it exploits the shock of the unfamilar to maximum effect. Never light, throwaway or trivial, the songs blend tight, funky playing, with imaginative lyrics and deranged vocal perfomances from David Byrne. Some fears are meant to be overcome...

another fine Talking Heads album , that isn't as deep and revolutionary as "More Songs about Buildings And Food" (the one before) or a masterpiece like "Remain in Light" (The one that followed this LP) , but it has a lot of good songs on it as well. "I Zimbra" starts using a phantasy language . "Life During Wartime" would fit good on Remain In Light with his fast paced rhythm and the paranoid vocals " I changed my hair style so many times now , i got 3 passports , a couple of visas don't know what i look like . No time for Disco , no time for Party , no CBGB's .I ain't got time for that now .We use Computers, we use fake ID's ..aso) . My personal faves are of course "Heaven" and "Memories Can't Wait" . they touch me deep deep inside and will always bring back memories , (that can't wait when listening to this LP) Best lyrics : "There Is A Band In Heaven , They Play My Favourite Song , Play It Once Again, Play It All Night Long..There Is A Party , Everyone Is There , Everyone Will Leave At Exactly The Same Time .It's Hard to Imagine That there Is So Much Fun. Heaven Is A Place Where Nothing , Nothing Ever Happens . When this Kiss Is Over , We'll Start Right Again And Everything Will Feel Exactly The Same." A fine idea of a paradise ....