LITTLE CREATURES

It might come as a surprise after my review of Speaking In Tongues, but I happen to really like Little Creatures! Make no mistake, this is not an album in the same league as Talking Heads' debut album, More Songs About Building And Food or Remain In Light, still there is a definite creative vibe here that makes it just as good as Fear Of Music!

Little Creatures is simply a fun little album that probably won't go down in history as one of Talking Heads' biggest highlights but at least it definitely has great music on it without trying to hide sloppy musicianship by drowning it in layers of effects, like it was done on Speaking In Tongues. The sound of this album is very stripped down with most songs consisting almost entirely of the rock instrument arrangements, which were also present on the band's first two albums. This, by no means, implies a return to roots of any sort since the raw energy of the early albums is no longer here and is now substituted by sleek production and perfectly balanced compositions that sound as if they have been perfected to the smallest detail.

Another great thing about Little Creatures is that it actually has Talking Heads singles that I happen to really love. And She Was starts off with David Byrne shouting "Hey!" and the music kicks right in with a smooth and stripped-down sound that haven't been heard since More Songs About Building And Food. I really love the progression of these songs, even if most of them basically follow the simple verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/verse/chorus structure. Everything from the soft touches of the guitar, the upbeat sound of the drums to David Byrne's vocals tell me that the band is having fun with this material and that's all that matters to me!

Even if I find the lyrical content of many of these songs to be too simplistic, even by Talking Heads' standards, it doesn't bother me all that much as long as the music is arranged this well. Little Creatures is easily the most accessible album in the band's discography, but I wouldn't call it a good introduction to Talking Heads since this material is far from the style that the band depicted on their previous records. Start with Talking Heads 77' and work your way chronologically from there and pick up this album once you've reached Remain In Light and feel like exploring more!

***** star songs: And She Was (3:38) Give Me Back My Name (3:20) Road To Nowhere (4:19)

**** star songs: Creatures Of Love (4:14) The Lady Don't Mind (3:59) Perfect World (4:27) Stay Up Late (3:42) Television Man (6:10)

*** star songs: Walk It Down (4:43)