TALKING HEADS: 77

I don't know why Talking Heads are in a progressive rock music site, but it is still a very good band (I know some of the singles and music videos). "77" is my first album listen by them and damn it is a good album, regardless of its status as prog. The music and moods from this album is nothing like the music from that year, it has a very upbeat and feelgood mood, in comparison to punk rock (which I like) and not as sophisticated and convoluted as prog rock.

The music style from this record is very unique, It has more to do with funk and latin rhythms that with punk (and I really don't like latin rhythms even though I'm mexican) and even an african feeling, but totally dressed as a New York band.

There are no signs of distorted guitars, but the album can get heavy sometimes, with the guitars reminding me of early Pete Townshend playing from "My Generation" or "A Quick One", with that hard playing and shiny, bell-like sound, really great playing. Bass is not as protagonic compared to later songs or "Psycho Killer" but it is still groovy and always serving the songs, along with very solid drum playing.

The main highlight of the record is David Byrne's performances, so good, I like the mundane topics like in "Don't Worry About The Government" or The Who-like angst in "No Compassion", his vocal style mix between talking and singing is actually listenable and actually great, and even the tone of songs that could be cringy such as "Who Is It" are not cringy because of what a good performer David Byrne is.

I don't consider this album prog so I don't know how I would qualify this record as prog, but in an overall music rating it deserves 4 stars. Really good music, I wan't to listen to more of their stuff, It might be even better than this great record.