The Formative Years - Talking Heads
Talking Heads has always been one of the more interesting bands. With their avant-gardist approach that was rooted in punk sentiments yet musically never confined to any musical genres and skilfully incorporating funk, minimalism, polyrhythms and world music into their idiosyncratic mix, they were one of the most unconventional bands of their time .
While some might argue that they heralded what was to become known as New Wave, others might be right in claiming that they were post-punk before punk even eventuated.
Their anxiety infused pop appeal was utterly contemporary yet felt otherworldly and unpredictable. Constantly pushing the boundaries, taking risks, experimenting and reinventing themselves, they unconsciously created a lane for themselves in a way not dissimilar how hip hop artists sampled music by merging and connecting bits and pieces to sculpt their songs which at times feel like sonic tapestry.
In the context of the 1970s/80s, Talking Heads’ albums feel visionary with their stilted and deliberately camp pop sensibilities yet are performed and inspired by an agitation, intensity and immediacy that never not felt spasmic and at its core informed by the raw energy of punk rock. There was a self-awareness that many bands lacked without ever running danger of appearing smug.
Stop Making Sense is a concert film that sheds light on the wonderfully weird, theatrical and appealingly absurd world of one of the most intriguing bands to ever emerge from the mid-1970s CBGB’S scene.
