580. More Songs About Buildings and Food – Talking Heads

Brief Background: More Songs About Buildings and Food is the second album by Talking Heads. It was recorded in March and April of 1978 and released in July of that year. The album was produced by Brian Eno.

What I think: Eno uses a very slick production style on this album which has a very rhythmic almost disco sound, especially in the first half. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it just doesn’t work for me here. The songs are just too smooth and don’t really make an impression on me. That does change a little when side two starts with “Artists Only” which reintroduces the more jittery style of the first album. That really pulled me back in for that second half and helps the album end on the high notes of  the Al Green cover “Take Me to the River”, and Talking Heads version of acoustic rock in “The Big Country”.

“Take Me to the River” is the best song on the album, which is always hard to say about the song that was a huge single, especially when it was a cover. Sometimes, there is good reason for that song being huge and for me it is that amazing organ part by Jerry Harrison (or is it synthesized organ?).

Do I agree or disagree with the writers as to this being an album you must listen to? It ends up being a solid album that starts out in an unimpressive manner. Personally, I think they have much better and would be alright with skipping this one.

Rating (Out of 5): 3/5 

Amazon Rating of More Songs About Buildings and Food… :  4.4/5

Is this my first time hearing this album? Yes (323/423)

Amount that are new to me: 76%

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