Talking Heads: Remain In Light (LP, Warner)

At that time, in 1980, long-serving talking heads fans were somewhat -and pleasant! – surprised by this album. Co-produced and co-written by Brian Eno, Byrne and his people were accompanied by guitar god Adrian Belew, funk legend Bernie Worrell on keyboards and Steven Scales as percussionist. Together with other players this made for a much fuller and funkier sound than on the previous albums. The first three songs are the only extensive dance parties in which musical and lyrical lines are repeated endlessly. In addition, there are absolute catchy tunes, which still buzz around in your head after days. “Once in a Lifetime” was the big hit, but the rockiest title is number three, “The Great Curve”. Funk dominates the New Wave sounds of the Heads even more than on the previous album ‘Fear Of Music’ and the homogeneous production of Brian Eno ensures that ‘Remain In Light’ as a whole, as a unit, is a true ‘new wave’ is perceived. Amazing here that despite the main ingredients – New Wave and Funk – a continuous psychedelic feeling is conveyed. That this is so groovy and danceable – despite a lot of electronic sounds from Eno and the synthesizer guitars from Belew – is somehow amazing. Remain In Light’ is generally regarded as the Magnum Opus in the work of the Talking Heads, and 30 years later still radiates a tremendous fascination and freshness. It’s aged well in terms of sound anyway.