Talking Heads "Speaking In Tongues"

Non-western sounds and funky rhythms had infected talking heads music prior to this 1983 pop breakthrough, but 'speaking in tongues' is where the beat truly gels. the band's quirky, nerdy persona somehow blends easily with music borrowed from the african diaspora on 'stop making sense' and 'burning down the house.' the album also marks one of the last true band collaborations, before byrne reduced his partners to mere sidemen. if their edgier early albums now sound more challenging and unique in hindsight, 'speaking in tongues' at least documents the new york quartet's singular blend of world beat, art school rock, and the always irresistible dancefloor.

1 Burning Down the House
2 Making Flippy Floppy (LP Version)
3 Girlfriend Is Better (Album Version)
4 Slippery People (LP Version)
5 I Get Wild / Wild Gravity (LP Version)
6 Swamp (LP Version)
7 Moon Rocks (LP Version)
8 Pull Up the Roots (LP Version)
9 This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) (Album Version)