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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