Talking Heads "Remain in Light" (1980) - got it
David Byrne was suffering a case of writers block so looked to build up
some minimalist jams, often around just one or two chords. The band
brought in influences from funk, to afro-beat, to electronica and Byrne
helped craft the jams into functional songs.
Following the 'Fear of music' tour, the band had taken time off to
pursue other interests. Byrne and 'Remain in light' producer Brian Eno
recorded the "My life in the bush of ghosts" album. Jerry Harrison
produced an album for a soul singer. The married rhythm section of
Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz headed to the Caribbean to hang out with
famed reggae rhythm section Sly and Robbie. The two mulled over the
idea of leaving Talking Heads due to Byrne's controlling nature.
Eno too had questioned coming back as producer after his previous two
albums with the Heads... so it wasn't really a happy working
environment. As it was, Eno didn't produce the next album ("Speaking in tongues") and a few year's later
the band's inner turmoil became insurmountable and they broke up. It's
probably telling that while many acrimoniously split groups have
reformed throughout the years, the Heads (aside from a Rock n Roll Hall
of Fame appearance) have avoided reuniting.
For all the friction in its making, the album produced some great songs,
including one of TH's most known tracks
"Once in a lifetime".
