Talking Heads – True Stories

In reference to variant 1. A variety pack of songwriting styles and recording techniques. If one is concerned about the sonics, listen to Papa Legba, it resonates. A full range narrative.

This album was blasted by the critics, largely because the band had been around long enough at this point that there were no hipster points to be gained by praising them anymore. The film that accompanied this release was also blasted.

Well sod them. This is another excellent Talking Heads album. It is unique in their canon in that it is the closest they ever came to straight rock music, which was the chief complaint leveled against them. It's also a dumb complaint. The polyrhythms of the early 80's may be mostly gone at this point, but rather than repeating themselves, the band tried something new. "Love For Sale" is a tremendous rocker, but just as off-kilter and paranoid as their best music, and the lyrics are a hoot too. "City of Dreams" is autumnal and elegiac, and it gains resonance with ing time. "Dream Operator" is one of the prettiest pieces of music the band ever made. 'Wild Wild Life" is pure fun. "Puzzlin' Evidence" rides a great gospel rock groove. "People Like Us" might sound like a smug jab at rednecks, but it is actually empathetic, generous of spirit, and sharply written. Nothing here is bad, and most of it is great.

It isn't the same sound of the 70's and early-80's band, but there is no deterioration of wit or commitment in the music.

And don't skip the movie, the essence of which is captured in "People Like Us". Funny, insightful, and charming in its own way, as well as ultimately prescient.