Overlords

Talking Heads - Remain In Light [SRK 6095 UK 1980 24-Bit FLAC]

I have often praised the quality of early European Warners' pressings and this first UK pressing of Remain In Light is no different - to be honest, I think all European copies were pressed in Germany at the time. This album is one from a trio of my favourite Talking Heads albums released between 1979 and 1982. I know there are likely many who favour their first two long players, and many fewer who preferred their final three. Remain In Light and Fear Of Music were both produced with Brian Eno whose footprint is most notable on the darkest track, The Overload. Most of this album represents a funky pop groove, whereas the closer shimmers with echoes of Bowie's Low combined with the ghostly lyrical style of Ian Curtis. 

I recall previous discussions online regarding David Byrne's interest in the post-punk funk sound of A Certain Ratio who supported Talking Heads on a number of dates in late 1979. These theories are quashed when you realise that the funky I Zimbra on the pre-dating Fear Of Music has a similar feel to this album, added to Jez Kerr's recent recollection of when Tina Weymouth helped him develop his own bass technique on that tour, we can be assured that Byrne's interest in the young Mancunians was only out of respect for fellow musicians and the timing of Talking Heads' move towards a funkier sound was purely coincidental.

A1 Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)

A2 Crosseyed And Painless

A3 The Great Curve

B1 Once In A Lifetime

B2 Houses In Motion

B3 Seen And Not Seen

B4 Listening Wind

B5 The Overload