II sold my massive collection of American comics in 1977, aged 15, for 5 quid and bought Talking Heads 77 and Jocko Homo by Devo with the money. Both were only available on import in the UK. What a mad thing to do!
But also kinda awesome. Try not to think about what they may/may not be worth today! Any time I do that, I start pulling ou what little hair I have left!
II sold my massive collection of American comics in 1977, aged 15, for 5 quid and bought Talking Heads 77 and Jocko Homo by Devo with the money. Both were only available on import in the UK. What a mad thing to do!
I have to admit to never having listened to this album.... I always did like their version of Take Me to the River though! It's amazing the stuff that slips through our cracks. I was much more focused on Top 40 in 1978 and then heard my fill of Stop Making Sense in the 1980s! Never really explored the deeper Talking Heads cuts. I need to do that!
I fell into the Talking Heads with the single of Take Me to the River, and then my first album (8-track actually) was Fear of Music. I was along for the ride from there through Little Creatures. Somewhere along the way I did pickup More Songs and finally ‘77. Thinking of everything from ‘77 through Little Creatures I think the Heads have one of the strongest run of albums of any group. I’m most partial to Fear of Music as that was what I consider my real starting point. Thanks for a great article on a classic album.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I agree with you; this is one of the strongest runs of any group. Doubly so, as they didn;t just stick to one formula and crank out paint-by-numbers tracks.
Great look back at a great record. When I was a freshman in high school, the cool big brother of a friend turned me on to punk and new wave. This record was in one of the first batches of albums he lent me. Even the title felt more cooler than the classic rock I grew up with.
I drove past Shorewood High on a recent visit to Milwaukee and was disappointed not to see a Jerry Harrison statue out front. ;-)
Hey Kev. I think I mentioned that I saw Talking Heads (Pearl Harbour & The Explosions opened) at Erb Memorial Union at University of Oregon in October, 1979. I had a boom box my freshman year at UO. I lived in the dorms and it didn't seem practical to bring my shitty stereo 3,000 miles across country. So I had a nice cassette tape collection that included Armed Forces and Fear Of Music and More Songs.
It was a great show, right before the Heads added more players. It was just the four of them performing songs from the first three albums. I don't remember much about the show aside from watching hippies dance ("I'm a tree! I'm a tree). I stood by myself, aloof, digging the show because I knew the songs! Most of my rock shows were at Madison Square Garden (hardly an intimate setting) so seeing them onstage at EMU ballroom was a terrific experience.
I remember the frat guys that lived on the dorm borrowing my Talking Heads tapes for a party they had. That made me happy. All they usually listened to was AC/DC and Van Halen.
As a side note, because of my previous Heads experience I disliked Stop Making Sense when it first came out. It was very David Byrne centered. Yes, he's the lead singer, etc. but the rest of the band is so interesting. And I disliked the running in place and most of all the end credit "Big Suit Designed By David Byrne." I enjoy the soundtrack more than the film, but I can sit through it now without scoffing.
Opinions are good! As for the dancers, all I can say is that I can totally see it...and it's pretty on-brand for Eugene. lol. How awesome that you were able to see them back in the day.!
Thank you, Kevin. I figured an Oregonian like you would appreciate that.
I’ve been lucky when it comes to seeing bands. There are some shows I regret not seeing, some in Oregon, some elsewhere. It’s a list as long as the shows I’m grateful for seeing.
I started my journey with the Talking Heads in Fear Of Music. I had it on cassette in my truck and vinyl at home. I then went backwards to 77 and then More Songs. I then restarted with Fear of Music and travelled forward in chronological order. Several years ago, I played all of the Talking Heads albums, start to finish, chronologically from their release dates. I almost ruined my relationship with the band. Now, I never listen to all the releases by any band in one sitting. p.s. Fear of Music and Stop Making Sense are my go-to albums for the Talking Heads, including the video movie Stop Making Sense. I do enjoy the More Songs About Buildings and Food album and it gets played frequently.
I was fortunate to hear these as they were released. Their growth from ‘77 to SMS was like the Beatles, I think. I probably like Fear of Music best now. I always took the lyrics in Big Country as kind of tongue-in-cheek, but who knows?
Just out my Jerry Harrison interview on Substack
I’m assuming it’s this one? Looking forward watching it after work!
https://open.substack.com/pub/lippsservice/p/jerry-harrison-of-talking-heads-on?r=3cbf2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
II sold my massive collection of American comics in 1977, aged 15, for 5 quid and bought Talking Heads 77 and Jocko Homo by Devo with the money. Both were only available on import in the UK. What a mad thing to do!
But also kinda awesome. Try not to think about what they may/may not be worth today! Any time I do that, I start pulling ou what little hair I have left!
Oh, yes ..... oh no!
II sold my massive collection of American comics in 1977, aged 15, for 5 quid and bought Talking Heads 77 and Jocko Homo by Devo with the money. Both were only available on import in the UK. What a mad thing to do!
This is my favorite Talking Heads record, therefore it is the best one.
Completely reasonable! This is also how I assess/rank every band's discography.
I have to admit to never having listened to this album.... I always did like their version of Take Me to the River though! It's amazing the stuff that slips through our cracks. I was much more focused on Top 40 in 1978 and then heard my fill of Stop Making Sense in the 1980s! Never really explored the deeper Talking Heads cuts. I need to do that!
This one's a great place to start!
I fell into the Talking Heads with the single of Take Me to the River, and then my first album (8-track actually) was Fear of Music. I was along for the ride from there through Little Creatures. Somewhere along the way I did pickup More Songs and finally ‘77. Thinking of everything from ‘77 through Little Creatures I think the Heads have one of the strongest run of albums of any group. I’m most partial to Fear of Music as that was what I consider my real starting point. Thanks for a great article on a classic album.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I agree with you; this is one of the strongest runs of any group. Doubly so, as they didn;t just stick to one formula and crank out paint-by-numbers tracks.
Great look back at a great record. When I was a freshman in high school, the cool big brother of a friend turned me on to punk and new wave. This record was in one of the first batches of albums he lent me. Even the title felt more cooler than the classic rock I grew up with.
I drove past Shorewood High on a recent visit to Milwaukee and was disappointed not to see a Jerry Harrison statue out front. ;-)
I'll make some calls! lol.
Hey Kev. I think I mentioned that I saw Talking Heads (Pearl Harbour & The Explosions opened) at Erb Memorial Union at University of Oregon in October, 1979. I had a boom box my freshman year at UO. I lived in the dorms and it didn't seem practical to bring my shitty stereo 3,000 miles across country. So I had a nice cassette tape collection that included Armed Forces and Fear Of Music and More Songs.
It was a great show, right before the Heads added more players. It was just the four of them performing songs from the first three albums. I don't remember much about the show aside from watching hippies dance ("I'm a tree! I'm a tree). I stood by myself, aloof, digging the show because I knew the songs! Most of my rock shows were at Madison Square Garden (hardly an intimate setting) so seeing them onstage at EMU ballroom was a terrific experience.
I remember the frat guys that lived on the dorm borrowing my Talking Heads tapes for a party they had. That made me happy. All they usually listened to was AC/DC and Van Halen.
As a side note, because of my previous Heads experience I disliked Stop Making Sense when it first came out. It was very David Byrne centered. Yes, he's the lead singer, etc. but the rest of the band is so interesting. And I disliked the running in place and most of all the end credit "Big Suit Designed By David Byrne." I enjoy the soundtrack more than the film, but I can sit through it now without scoffing.
Yes, I'm opinionated. Always have been.
Always enjoy your posts! Peace!
Opinions are good! As for the dancers, all I can say is that I can totally see it...and it's pretty on-brand for Eugene. lol. How awesome that you were able to see them back in the day.!
Thank you, Kevin. I figured an Oregonian like you would appreciate that.
I’ve been lucky when it comes to seeing bands. There are some shows I regret not seeing, some in Oregon, some elsewhere. It’s a list as long as the shows I’m grateful for seeing.
Peace!
I started my journey with the Talking Heads in Fear Of Music. I had it on cassette in my truck and vinyl at home. I then went backwards to 77 and then More Songs. I then restarted with Fear of Music and travelled forward in chronological order. Several years ago, I played all of the Talking Heads albums, start to finish, chronologically from their release dates. I almost ruined my relationship with the band. Now, I never listen to all the releases by any band in one sitting. p.s. Fear of Music and Stop Making Sense are my go-to albums for the Talking Heads, including the video movie Stop Making Sense. I do enjoy the More Songs About Buildings and Food album and it gets played frequently.
Listening to them all in one sitting could be a lot. I don;t blame you for not wanting to do it again!
Speaking of Byrne and Eno, what are your thoughts on Everything That Happens Will Happen Today? I think it's pretty darn good.
I think it is too. I sort of figured it'd be a My Life in the Bush of Ghosts" redux, and that's not the case at all.
This one is my fave. Great driving record too!
Indeed!
I was fortunate to hear these as they were released. Their growth from ‘77 to SMS was like the Beatles, I think. I probably like Fear of Music best now. I always took the lyrics in Big Country as kind of tongue-in-cheek, but who knows?
Fear of Music is an all-timer! I could've sworn I wrote it up before, but apparently not. I should change that ASAP.
"More Songs" and "Stop Making Sense" are my favorite TH albums, without question. Thanks for the reminder that I need to dig this out again...