Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxm.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!mhuxn!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxm!sofo From: sofo@ihuxm.UUCP (Terry Bermes) Newsgroups: net.music Subject: Brian Eno's Influence over Talking Heads Message-ID: <1167@ihuxm.UUCP> Date: Wed, 5-Dec-84 09:03:38 EST Article-I.D.: ihuxm.1167 Posted: Wed Dec 5 09:03:38 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 6-Dec-84 05:11:28 EST Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 44 Recently an author of an article made a couple of comments regarding Brian Eno's influence over Talking Heads that warrant another viewpoint. The author stated that, until Eno, Talking Heads was an "ordinary new wave band". I disagree. Their early music may have seemed ordinary in retrospect because so many other bands have come and gone since that time. They were one of the first of the minimalist bands who showed a total distaste for the overproduction and overcommercialization that had become so prevalent in the music industry by the mid-seventies. They were not following the "mainstream' of the punk or "new wave" movements. Behind David Byrne's paranoid skepticism there was a note of optimism ("Don't Worry About the Government" and "Uh Oh, Love Comes to Town" to name two). They were one of the first and they are one of the few to survive. The second comment gave Eno full credit for Talking Heads' "transformation" into one of the most important bands of the eighties. While I agree that they are one of the most important bands, Eno's role was overemphasized. Yes the producer does play an important part but the songs are still the band's and the direction is still the band's choice. Eno didn't teach the Heads to write songs, he didn't teach them to think. He didn't form their opinions for them. Eno's role on "Remain in Light" nearly finished Talking Heads. As he moved for more control (with Byrne's approval), resentment and discord grew among the members. Basically, Eno tried to take over. Talking Heads' success did not happen overnight with the release of "Remain in Light" as was implied. The band's popularity grew with each successive release. By this time "Take Me to the River" and "Life During Wartime" had both been mild hits and, unfortunately if you remember the days of the small clubs, their live audiences grew bigger and bigger. I didn't find "Speaking In Tongues" to be a disappointment. More accessible, yes that's probably true but you have to look at the situation of the band. They're not quite as angry anymore, they're popular and David Byrne is in love. This has definitly got to change their perspective. I like the songs on the album even if the lyrics aren't as pointed. At this point maybe they need to lighten up a bit, but they've done it without selling out and without losing their integrity. As much as I preferred seeing Talking Heads in the smaller clubs, the performance from the last tour was one of the most powerful and intense performances I have ever seen. No, I'm not unhappy with their progression. Terry Bermes