THE TALKING HEADS - FEAR OF MUSIC (DUAL DISC)

THE TALKING HEADS/FEAR OF MUSIC (DUAL DISC)

By titling their third album Fear of Music and opening it with the African rhythmic experiment 'I Zimbra,' complete with nonsense lyrics by poet Hugo Ball, Talking Heads make the record seem more of a departure than it is. Though Fear of Music is musically distinct from its predecessors, it's mostly because of the use of minor keys that give the music a more ominous sound. Previously, David Byrne's offbeat observations had been set off by an overtly humorous tone; on Fear of Music, he is still odd, but no longer so funny. At the same time, however, the music has become even more compelling. Worked up from jams (though Byrne received sole songwriter's credit), the music is becoming denser and more driving, notably on the album's standout track, 'Life During Wartime,' with lyrics that match the music's power. 'This ain't no party,' declares Byrne, 'this ain't no disco, this ain't no fooling around.' The other key song, 'Heaven,' extends the dismissal Byrne had expressed for the U.S. in 'The Big Country' to paradise itself: 'Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens.' It's also the album's most melodic song.

1. I Zimbra   
2. Mind   
3. Paper   
4. Cities   
5. Life During Wartime   
6. Memories Can't Wait   
7. Air   
8. Heaven   
9. Animals   
10. Electric Guitar   
11. Drugs