lambchops's Full Review: Stop Making Sense (Special Edition) (Sdtk) by Talk...
Everybody knows of the band Talking Heads. Also, many people know of their music. Although, many of those people don’t connect the two. For their eleven years in existence, the band had four members whom all met in Rhode Island during the early to mid seventies. They were: Guitarist/vocalist and leader David Byrne, drummer Chris Franz, bassist Tina Weymouth, and keyboardist Jerry Harrison.
Together, the quartet helped to birth the artsy pop and new wave movements of the late seventies and early eighties. In fact, many of their tracks are considered classics, even today years after the foursome disbanded. The band wasn’t pretty to look at like contemporaries like Duran Duran. Rather, they prided themselves on being geeky, odd, and awkward even in sound. The Talking Heads began their career at the renowned club scene hosted by New York’s CBGB’s. They later debuted in on Sire in 1977 with Talking Heads ‘77. Ten album releases followed with critical and commercial success (especially in the overly fickle college radio crowd).
1983’s live stage show and tour known as Stop Making Sense was filmed by future famed Academy Award winning director of Silence of the Lambs, Jonathan Demme. The carefully edited album Stop Making Sense was released as the live soundtrack to the show. I have the original and out-of-print, not re-released version of the album, that lacks seven of the tracks from the re-released version. Many purists said that the album was too perfect; too slick. Despite the fans being unhappy with the treatment, there’s no question that David Byrne’s voice has never sounded better than it does on 1984’s Stop Making Sense. What this album does prove to be is a good beginning for any fledgling Talking Heads fan. It’s a sort of “Greatest Hits” if you will prior to their double CD release of Sand in the Vaseline and 1992’s The Best of the Talking Heads. Those people, in fact, are the ones that will best appreciate these nine songs for the good quality they are.
”Psycho Killer” is one of the band’s most memorable songs. It was released initially as a part of the band’s 1977 debut album. The version on this album is faster, peppier than the original. Although, it’s important to note that it’s not technically any worse or any better (some fans with vehemently disagree with my saying this). The song is groovy, upbeat, and interesting even for a track with a name like that. It’s great, even though I’m not a huge fan. Just a pseudo-fan. It’s a must listed from the album.
The second track is ”Swamp” was originally part of Speaking in Tongues. The version on this album has hollow almost-Caribbean beats. Byrne grumbles and growls his way through this particular track. It’s almost as though a storyteller is singing the song rather than Byrne. There is quite a lot of emphasis on the beats and electronic keyboards. This is much more an important part of the song than in the album versions. The track is relatively unknown on it’s original album, but is given a shining moment on the concert video and this subsequent album.
”Slippery People” starts out with a quick electronica beat and tribal noise. Byrne is backed expertly by his bandmates with noise and voices. I enjoy the track, although I have to say that it’s not necessarily as good as some of the other tracks on the album. Although, it’s enjoyable and ends on an exceptional note. It makes the track a very necessary listen for even novice fans.
The fourth track is the Talking Heads and new wave quirky classic ”Burning Down The House”. As with many other 80’s fans, I love this track. It’s great, it’s upbeat, and it’s classic. In this live, concert version Byrne and Company produce a classic track. Don’t miss out on this fun and the upbeat keyboard laden version. The track was originally featured on 1983’s Speaking On Tongues. To be quite honest, this version is as good if not better than the original from the same year. Here’s a quick sample of the band’s collective lyrics: Watch out you might get what you're after Cool babies strange but not a stranger I'm an ordinary guy Burning down the house.
You can’t possibly deny that ”Girlfriend is Better” is a great track. As with the last track, this one was also a hit from the band’s 1993 album, Speaking in Tongues. The track in this medium is very reminiscent of other 1980’s songs from new age bands like the aforementioned Duran Duran, Eurythmics, and the sadly dead INXS. Apparently, the name of the tour, the concert video, and this subsequent concert album originated from this song who’s memorable chorus goes as follows: I got a girlfriend that's better than that And nothing is better that this.
My absolute favorite song ever from Talking Heads is the wonderful, interesting, and glorious ”Once In a Lifetime”. In fact, that’s the song that made me buy this album. The version on this record is faster, more upbeat, and maybe even happier. But, what remains of the track is Byrne’s memorable monologues. The track still is creatively the most important part of the band’s career. Originally a part of 1980’s Remain in Light this version is important and will forever be imbedded in my psyche. Don’t miss it…I implore you! You’ll be sorry. As a sidenote, the video for this original track was one of the few that the band released. As a result of my deep-seated love for this track, I feel it necessary to recite a few of the words (the words are what Byrne prides himself on) to the song that finally gained the popularity it deserved after the 1994 release of this album:
Letting the days go by (let the water hold me down)
Letting the days go by (water flowing underground)
Into the blue again (after the money's gone)
Once in a lifetime (water flowing underground.)
The 1981 release of ”What A Day It Was” was originally a solo effort from Byrne released on his album The Catherine Wheel for a Broadway show for Twyla Sharp. The song is quite honestly just “okay.” Is typical Byrne, but nothing as special as some of the other tracks. As with many of the other tracks, it’s worthy of a listen, but nothing more.
”Life During Wartime” originally was released in 1979. There’s no question that this track is pure Byrne and Company. Of course, it’s not one of my favorites from the album, but it’s worth a listen thanks to Byrne’s trademark sporadic rhythms and odd lyrics and vocals. So far as songs performed on this album go, the sound is harder. There are more rounded drums and sounds. As I said a few sentences ago, it’s definitely worth a listen whether or not I like the sound ala Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The final song on this album is one I adore. It’s masterful and genuine and perfect. ”Take me to the River” came for 1978’s More Songs About Buildings and Food. It’s a classic to say the least. You’ve heard it…if you haven’t you must. Although, if you’re any kind of music aficionado or for that matter listener, don’t forget about this track. It’s something special, something real form the Talking Heads. There’s a gospel choir that backs the sound and Byrne’s voice. I love how is voice is pleading and full of intent throughout the track. Sure, this version is live, but that quality makes the song quaint and more special than most even by these artists. Some individuals would automatically jump to the idea that live songs aren’t as good. You’d be wrong in that by making assumptions. This is classic, lovely Talking Heads.
I implore you to pick up this album. As with many others, the band has done better. Therefore, I have to give them just 4/5 stars. Oh, and there’s that darned track ” What A Day It Was”. It just doesn’t strike me as special. There’s no question the influence that the Talking Heads had on the music landscape. They surely influenced other artists like Radiohead, Ween, They Might Be Giants, and even The Dead Milkmen. Surely, if nothing else, the band taught subsequent artists that’s okay to break boundaries and for that matter form your own.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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