Talking Heads: 77

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Talking Heads

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Soon after emerging from the punk/alternative/new wave CBGB's Club scene in 1976, the Talking Heads released their amazingly authentic debut, "Talking Heads '77." This exhilirating, inspiring debut album features the band at their most attentive, crafting every detail to the fullest. Foreshadows every direction the band's music will take, while capturing the sophistication (there's that word again) of their unique music. Although "77" was relatively disappointing on the charts and in commercial terms, it remains true that all great classics are brought to the light with time. "Uh-Oh, Loves Comes To Town" is just as unique as the Talking Heads themselves, while "No Compassion" shows the more grim, yet delightful side of their music. The purposely naive and satirical "Don't Worry About The Government" foreshadows the Heads' later cynical aspect. And "Psycho Killer" remains to this day one of the group's most effective and uneasy songs. And although there are many predictable (yet still unique) places in the content, "Talking Heads 77" is a remarkable, landmark gem deserving of attention.

Maybe it's looking back but "Psycho Killer" was such a powerful song on this album that the rest pale in comparison. It's a good album just not as consistent as Buildings or Fear Of Music which followed.

Of those three this is the one I play the least now. I would rate only "Who Is It?" and "Pulled Up" as worthy of the Heads' lofty standards. The rest are just so-so but still far more listenable than most music now so don't let my slightly negative review put you off.

I'm just saying, take it for what it's worth-- a terrific first album but far better was on the horizon back then.