DJ's Required Listening: Talking Heads

Alright kids...been awhile since we've done this, but once again I'll share what's been gnawing at me, wanting played repeatedly on the ol' ipod. Got some Talking Heads for you this week. Love these guys collectively...however individually, not so much. If there ever was musical definition of "synergy" it would be these guys, followed closely by The Police. The sum of the parts is greater than the whole, but alas I foresee no mega-million $$ reunion tour on the horizon for The Heads. A very influential group, as the American rock scene was at a crossroads between disco, Peter Frampton & The Ramones. They brought a new, intellectual sound to the forefront paving the way for many "indie" or "college rock" type bands such as R.E.M, Voilent Femmes, etc.

I'm sure most of you all know David Byrne, Chris Frantz, & Tina Weymouth were all art students that put together a band in 1975, opened for the Ramones at CBGB's, and added guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison a year later. They went on to be a noteworthy staple of the New york scene at CBGB's, even though they were not a punk band in the classic sense. They were "post-punk before punk" if that makes any sense (insert Stop Making Sense quip here). Alternative? New Wave? Avant Garde? Maybe a little bit of all of the above...but I assure you that every artist that claims to be categorized as any of those will claim Talking Heads as a major influence. No coincidence that the producer of their early hits was none other than Brian Eno, who also made Roxy Music and David Bowie monuments of the same brand of music in the 70's. Byrne made it cool to be nerdy, quirky, and subtly bizarre. Tina Weymouth was the mother of a generation of (Hanif shut your eyes) female bass players that were not necessarily eye candy, but a soothing pat on the head as you listen.

The rhythm section of Weymouth & husband Chris Frantz would of course also start a side project called Tom Tom Club, which produced one of the most sampled pieces of music ever, "Genius Of Love." Byrne would attempt more of an intellectual style of music, but no one else got it and neither did I. The band grew apart, had the obligatory nasty breakup, reunited for one night only at their Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction in 2002, and has stated a full reunion is not likely because "they're musically miles apart." Go figure. But hey, they did leave us with some fantastic music from the late 70's & early 80's. Take a listen...

1. "Psycho Killer" - Talking Heads: 77. Infectious bass line from Tina, who was admittedly a novice & had taken up the bass only a couple of years earlier just to be in the band. Here you get an early glimpse of Byrne's quirky writing, vocal style, & performing that would become his trademark. What other "punk band" wears Lacoste shirts on stage? An anti-punk band, of course.

2. "No Compassion" - Talking Heads: 77. Perhaps my favorite Talking Heads tune. Lyrically way ahead of it's time - "...other people's problems overwhelm my mind/they say compassion is a virtue but I don't have the time." I can identify with that. Absolutely love the way this song stops & starts, changing from brooding to manic and back again.

3. "Take Me To The River" - More Songs About Buildings and Food. A Rev. Al Green cover, this became Talking Heads' most recognizable song early on. Another good bass line by Weymouth here; she really slows down the groove behind the drums to perfection.

4. "Once In A Lifetime" - Remain In Light. Not necessarily my favorite, but notable because it illustrates how David Byrne would develop his persona through video (choreographed by Toni Basil) using MTV as a vehicle (yes kids, MTV used to play music). Mind you, this was before MTV "discovered" Michael Jackson. Byrne was parodied a lot after this, by Rich Hall on SNL (hilarious) & by none other than Kermit The Frog. Remain In Light was also the last TH album produced by Eno.

5. "Burning Down The House" - Speaking In Tongues. Talking Heads only Top 10 hit, which evolved from a Frantz/Weymouth jam session. The video further entrenches the Talking Heads as the Gods of Nerd Rock. These guys were Weezer before Weezie ever Weezed...

6. "And She Was" - Little Creatures. Cool song in my opinion...good memories listening to this as a kid.

7. "Wild Wild Life" - True Stories. Probably my favorite Talking Heads video...used to watch it over & over again as a kid (yes, I taped videos off the TV with my VCR). I thought it was hilarious, & still do. What wasn't funny was this probably was the last great Talking Heads song...