TALKING HEADS: 77

As the title implies, this is the 1977 technically self-titled debut album by Post-Punk-before-it-was-"Post-Punk" NYC band Talking Heads. I never grew up with the Heads aside from their radio hits, but my girlfriend who wanted me to hear it is a longtime fan. I like things that clearly came out of what they were doing, but I really never expect to consider myself a fan (at least any time soon). I'd rather Television or PiL or... I dunno. XTC and Oingo Boingo, for instance, are well out of their league for my personal tastes. Regardless, I found myself enjoying this first listen-through way more than I ever could have anticipated.

The first track that really did something for me was "New Feeling", a funky number, with quirky instrumentation and a solid vocal performance from Byrne. This track isn't super crazy or super super interesting, but it's just... real good! There are some interesting ideas on "Tentative Decisions", but much of it was just... hokey. Solid enough, in comparision, was "Happy Day".

The next track to really catch me in a groove was "Who Is It?" This is another, I suppose, Avant-Funk number. Super groovy, as implied, with fun vocals and they really waste no time. Under 2 minutes, it is perfect Pop haha. I mean, who wouldn't take a little bit more, though? "No Compassion" has some very interesting, chiming sort of guitar and has a lovely groove as well. Glad I am relistening to this here, as this mid-section is soooo nice! And as it was in the end, it slinks on back down to a quirky lilt.

"The Book I Read" offers nothing for me but decent melody. "First Week / Last Week....Carefree" offers some interesting textures, like... is that Xylophone? Sax is pretty nice, too. Finally, and I find it funny how late in the album it is, the Talking Heads' classic, "Psycho Killer". I mean, this was a hit for a reason. Great melody in the refrain, groovin' beat with a loud drum in the mix. I really don't feel it's any better than the other very good/excellent material on this album, I wanted to note. Truly finally, our closer is the quickened "Pulled Up". Silly song. Fun song.

Anyhow, decent material is juxtaposed with very much excellent Rock music. This album arrived at a super interesting time, with the popularity of Punk and the advent of its sister-genre New Wave. There was a wide array of fresh experimentation, musicians and bands willing to mix Punk with Pop, Reggae, Funk and much more.

True Rate: 3.5/5.0