Talking Heads Albums Ranked

Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991.The band comprised David Byrne (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar). Described by the critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine as “one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the ’80s,” the group helped to pioneer new wave music by integrating elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music with avant-garde sensibilities and an anxious, clean-cut image. Here are all of the Talking Head’s albums ranked.

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7. True Stories (1986)

“This soundtrack is filled with funk and world influences in their arrangements. I may be in the minority given the recent release of the soundtrack using the actors performances from the film, but I prefer David Byrne and company’s take. There are a few extra tracks as a bonus as well to this nice remastering.”

6. Little Creatures (1985)

“At the time of “Little Creatures,” Talking Heads had ceased touring and personal fractures apparently began to appear. More and more Byrne took the lead and the other members started to feel like a mere backing band. This album also reversed the previous few albums’ more communal songwriting technique. Instead of composing songs from group jam sessions, Byrne taught the band a batch of songs that he had written mostly on his own. The next album, “True Stories,” repeated this more Byrne-centric process. Things soon came to a head when Byrne, in lieu of the entire band, appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1986 as “Rock’s Renaissance Man.” Feeling jilted, the remaining band members struck back with a virulent Rolling Stone interview. Surprisingly, following the release of Byrne’s movie “True Stories,” the band managed to make one final album in 1988 before fading forever into legend.”

5. More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978)

“Many bands struggle with their second album and it makes or breaks. This is definitely for me the album that made Talking Heads – no duff tracks no need to skip anything – from the start the powerful bass & rhythm combine to create the background for David Byrne to hit his stride using both lyrics & vocal sounds to press home the message. If you don’t buy another Talking Heads album make sure it’s this one that’s in your collection”

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4. Talking Heads: 77 (1977)

“The Talking Heads 1st lp was a very strong TOTALLY NEW effort from this NYC band. Like the Ramone’s there was no template which to follow, thus they followed their own intellect and created this immortal near-masterpiece. Song’s like “The Book I Read” (side 2, 1st cut) I’ll never tire of in a million years! Still a relevant and fantastic album still to this day. A must have for every true fan.”

3. Fear of Music (1979)

“Its sometimes hard to dip into the TH catalog given that everyone owns (or should own) Stop Making Sense and that has many of their best known songs. However, it’s very interesting for the fan to watch as they their style changes and progresses over their studio albums. Fear of Music was when everything changed and showed off true poetry and grace and felt like a major artistIc statement, to me anyway, about 16 when I first purchased it after I loved Speaking in Tongues and then ’77.”

2. Speaking in Tongues (1977)

“Speaking in Tongues” by Talking Heads is their second best album. The reason I think that because the music is tight, wildly original, and experimental. This album was released in 1983 and “Speaking in Tongues” was the epitome of New Wave and for me personally, this album is a New Wave masterpiece. This was the first album that Talking Heads produced on their own. They ended their long-term collaboration with producer Brian Eno and what could’ve been a disaster without his expertise, turned out to be the Talking Heads finest moment. There are A LOT of synths on “Speaking in Tongues” which makes this album memorable and perfect for the time period. Synths can either strengthen or weaken a song if not done correctly, but the Talking Heads use the synths/loops/samples to display their musical abilities/talents and this album brought them into the mainstream.”

1. Remain in Light (1980)

“Remain in Light is definitely a favorite of mine. What makes “Remain in Light” such a memorable album are the never-ending and sparkling melodies. The melodies just keep coming at you from every direction. Powerful stuff here. This album was released in 1980 and nothing from the music, to the lyrics, or the production feels dated or false. Everything STILL feels modern and truly unique. Talking Heads were a highly intellectual band thanks to the frantic/gifted mind of front-man, David Byrne. His songwriting was always razor-sharp and unpredictable. He pretty much said what everybody else was thinking. Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, and Chris Frantz proved they were just as talented as Byrne with their expansive musical knowledge and their “artsy” persona. Talking Heads were one of the smartest new wave bands to come out of CBGB. There will NEVER be a more important band. Ever. They were the definition of avant-garde.”