Talking Heads - Remain In Light - Sire - 202 980, Ariola Eurodisc GmbH - 202 980-320

Gracias

Let's talk about that iconic cover first. That album cover intrigues and terrifies me. It pretty much sums up the music on "Remain in Light". Dark, brooding, and playfully ambitious. This was the Talking Heads' 4th studio album and holy smokes - it was a groundbreaking one! This album was produced by Brian Eno. And unfortunately, this would be the final time the band would collaborate with him and all his mad GENIUS. "Remain in Light" is considered their best album. But for me, their commercial breakthrough, "Speaking in Tongues" is their best. But "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.There are only 8 tracks on "Remain in Light" but they are BIG and EXPLOSIVE. The first 5 tracks are some of the band's best written. "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)" is my favorite track. The song is a sarcastic stab at the ugliness of politics. The lyrics are mind-blowing and the music is dripping with sweaty, raw urgency. "Crosseyed and Painless" is a delight. A fan favorite. It's a manic and pulsating dance track. "The Great Curve" is a freakin' MASTERPIECE. The blistering guitar licks will knock the wind out of you, and the hooks/tempo changes are fast and electrifying. Excellent use of percussion. The African rhythmic beat is steady and ferocious. "Once in A Lifetime" is a classic. It's a clever, spot-on commentary about how "having it all" can be both a blessing and a curse. The unexpected hip-hop beat in the beginning of the track still sounds fresh and innovative. "Houses in Motion" is a head-scratcher. It's weird but awesome. Great ad-libs and I love the "talky" verses. The last 3 songs were the most experimental and introspective starting with the poetic, "Seen And Not Seen". And the "Listening Wind" borrows a little bit from Native American culture. And the album closer, "The Overload" is a slow-burning but slightly draggy ballad. I highly recommend this haunting album. "Remain in Light" might be dark for some but it's never boring. Talking Heads NEVER made a boring album. They didn't know the meaning of the word. Enjoy!

Remain in Light must be heard in surround audio, period. You will like it even better!This two disc box is your only chance to get the 5.1 mix. Like many, I also missed back then their release. I have only managed to get four of their albums in this format. Hopefully Byrne and Co. will decide to release their full catalogue again in high resolution audio, but this time in bluray and add more concert footage.

'Remain in Light' is arguably the Talking Heads' best album ever. Steeped in primitive, African rhthyms, but sent with the trajectory of advanced technology, the album harnesses a mesmerizing and formidable set of sounds and images. It is easily Talking Heads' most avant garde work of their whole career. Think of tribal music generated from a computer, and you get 'Remain in Light'.What used to be known as side one has mainly more progressive songs, and the second half is more subdued, but all of it is brilliant. There's "Born Under Punches," where David Byrne warbles, "I'm a tumbler...I'm a government man." Like many songs before it, he takes the everyman through the cross-hairs of everyday, struggling existence. "Cross-eyed and Painless" is pedestrian, but contains some riveting funk, and "The Great Curve" is hypnotic with the most dancey song from the album. "Houses in Motion" takes the funk where "Cross-eyed.." left off, but, understandably, given the title, takes a slower groove. (I've often wondered if the song is about the homeless.) Anyway, nuances give way to thoughtful songs like "Seen and Not Seen" and "Listening Wind". The finale is truly magnificent. Perhaps a song about calamity as big as Armageddon, "The Overload" is a chilling song that envelops the listener with its ominous development.Still, a classic after all these years, 'Remain in Light' sounds just as innovative and modern as it did upon its release. Having a troubadour song, "Once in a Lifetime," complete with synthesizers that simulate flowing water, has kept them on the radio for a number of years with the most moving, and yet, "normal" song from the whole album.

Stop whingeing the lot of you! These remasters are brilliant. The Digipacks are a much classier presentation than jewel cases. Maybe like me you'll want to put them in plastic sleeves to keep them pristine, but unless you treat all your possesions like dirt then they will last your lifetime. If the Dualdiscs aren't working in your gear then it's time to upgrade. The stereo remasters are as they should be, sounding full and rich and clear. The 5.1 surround sound remixes are the best of their kind I have come across as they maintain the colour and texture (yes 'feel' if you like) of the original stereo mix. 'Remain in Light' is such a dense tapestry of sound and only now in 5.1 surround can it be done justice. Sometimes in surround mixes you can pick out individual sounds to the detriment of the overall blend and the ear feels let down by discovering the secret ingredients, but in the Talking Heads remixes some of those sounds are even more interesting in isolation but still entwine with everything else to preserve the intention of the stereo mix. What a majestic, menacing, lush and swirling delight 'The Overload' has become in 5.1 How lucky we are to live in these times when technology allows us to listen to great music that's nearly 30 years old and have it sound better than it ever has! And aren't we lucky to be fans of a band called Talking Heads.

My favorite Talking Heads record, hands down. Quick solid service. Thank you!

Did this album make beat driven songs hip and pave a path to the future?

Un álbum clásico e importante

Great quality record. Talking Heads music still holds up well today

the item arrived in perfect state.the sound of the 5.1 mix excellent.highly recommended!

Greta to see this album getting another run off the back of the Kidjo tour and album. Groundbreaking electronic rock.

Talking Heads es un muy buen grupo. Hay quienes señalan a este disco como uno de los mejores o el mejor. A mi en lo personal me gusta más Fear of Music. Sin embargo no deja de ser un excelente disco. Se nota la influencia de Brian Eno.