Search - Talking Heads :: True Stories

Talking Heads' most moving, uplifting album

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 10/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, made in conjunction with the filming of David Byrnes' underrated film True Stories, is absolutely amazing from start to finish. This may not be the Talking Heads' best album, but it doesn't fall short by much, and it definitely features a few of the band's most touching and emotionally moving songs. It is both unfortunate and bewildering that this album is looked at as something of a negative chapter in the band's history. A medley group of performers (including John Goodman) sang these songs in the film True Stories, and I understand that David Byrne really wanted to release a soundtrack of the movie player's recordings but was talked into recording the songs himself alongside his then-fracturing Talking Heads band members.



Wild Wild Life is the best known song from this album, as both the song and the video got plenty of air time (and you get both the original version and an excellent extended remix here); Love For Sale also met with some success as a single release. I'm here to tell you these are not even the best songs on this album. Puzzlin' Evidence, Hey Now, and Papa Legba are great but uninspired, but the second half of the album is incredible. Radio Head is the Talking Heads at their eccentric, fast-paced best. People Like Us, sporting a country-type sound, is more laid-back but no less compelling; it is a true song of empowerment and a virtual theme song for "normal" people who only want someone to love. City of Dreams is a touching concluding song that reinforces all the good feelings inspired by both the album and the movie, but even this poignant piece pales in comparison to the almost indescribably good Dream Operator. The Talking Heads aren't really known for songs of a soft, tender nature, but Dream Operator is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.



Put all of these tracks together, mixing a number of different styles in the uniquely David Byrne-inspired way, and you have what I consider one of the best albums of the 1980s. This album never fails to make me feel better and, more importantly, to feel better about myself. This is an album for the average man or woman going about his/her life, wanting nothing more than to be loved and find contentment in his/her own heart. It may be more pop-oriented than earlier, vintage Talking Heads albums, but True Stories remains one of the best CDs in my collection."

Far too under-rated...

Barbara Streisands Love Slave | MI | 05/19/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have no idea why this album gets dismissed as "rubbish" by many Talking Heads fans and David Byrne himself. It's not that bad. You've got the hits "Love For Sale" and "Wild Wild Life" which are good songs but there is so much better to be found on here. "Papa Legba" has some neat percussion. "People Like Us" is a good song but it's even better in the movie 'True Stories' (which i recommened you check out) where John Goodman sings it! "Dream Operator" has to be one of the most beautiful songs the Talking Heads have ever written and it's probably my favorite on the album. The only song I never really cared for is "Hey Now". One last thing I have to say is when a band like Radiohead names themselves after one of the songs off this album, it can't be all that bad."

Dream Operator is my favorite pop song!

Courtney M. Brady | Indiana, USA | 02/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had no idea that this was considered a bad album. This is my favorite Talking Heads album. I like all of the songs on it, but especially Dream Operator. It is extremely beautiful and it is my favorite pop song of all time. I have great memories of watching the movie with my dad as a child. I loved the movie so much that my dad gave me his soundtrack tape. Well, I have long since worn it out and am ready to buy it on CD!"