Search - Talking Heads :: Once in a Lifetime

Prime Talking Heads Without Any Bulk Material

Rocknscrolls | Calgary, AB Canada | 10/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Without question an almost ideal anthology of the Talking Heads and their memorable recording moments. A much better hit purchase selection than `Sand In The Vaseline` as all their most accomplished tracks are represented yet not on two extended haphazard discs. (Nothing But) Flowers, Blind, Once in a Lifetime, Burning Down the House, Take Me to the River, Lifetime Piling Up, And She Was, Psycho Killer and Wild Wild Life all are included here on this skillfully designed retrospective. In accord, well over half the song titles of `Once In A Lifetime` represent Talking Heads at their talented best. The couple of extra live recordings [Slippery People, Life During Wartime] also give added dimension and insight to this wonderful band amongst subtle but positive crowd interaction. Had only Houses In Motion from `Remain In Light` been added, I wouldn't be expecting anything else from this near perfect chart lineup. That trivial blemish put aside, still ultimately the most impressive/gratifying Heads `greatest hit` compilation today out there available on the market and well worth its cost price. Five stars proudly deserve to shine in my opinion for this superior compilation undertaking..."

I Love the Talking Heads, but...

Matt M. Bryant | Chicago, Illinois | 02/08/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"... this compilation gives a fairly poor overview of their career. Though I enjoy all these songs thoroughly, for a greatest hits album, it does a poor job of culling the best from their career. Their first three albums, 77, More Songs About Buildings and Food & Fear of Music, which many consider to be there best efforts, are not well represented on this disk. Not conincidentally, I suspect, these albums also represent their more esoteric, late 70s NY punk sound, whereas the albums from which the majority of these songs come are from the "fun-lovin' 80s band" era in which the Talking Heads are often unfairly lumped. If you want a good udnerstanding of their diverse and impressive catalog, try ponying up some extra cash for the double disc retrospective Sand in the Vaseline, or for the 4-disc Once in a Lifetime Box Set, on whose success this same-named but shorter release seems to be trying to piggyback."