Talking Heads - Remain In Light (LP) - 180g Vinyl

"Remain in Light," the fourth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, was released on October 8, 1980, by Sire Records. Produced by the band’s lead singer David Byrne and Brian Eno, this album is often hailed as a groundbreaking work that pushed the boundaries of rock music by incorporating elements of African polyrhythms, funk, electronic music, and worldbeat.

The album was recorded at various studios, including Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas and Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. The recording process was highly experimental, with the band and Eno employing a method of recording instrumental tracks in a series of loops and then layering them to create complex, interwoven textures. This approach was influenced by the African music that Byrne and Eno were listening to at the time, particularly the work of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.

"Remain in Light" opens with the track "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)," which immediately sets the tone for the album with its dense, polyrhythmic structure and Byrne's cryptic lyrics. The song features a prominent bassline by Tina Weymouth and intricate guitar work by Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew, who contributed to the album as a guest musician.

The second track, "Crosseyed and Painless," continues in a similar vein, with a driving beat and a funk-inspired groove. The lyrics, which deal with themes of paranoia and disorientation, are delivered in Byrne's distinctive, almost manic vocal style. The song also features a memorable guitar solo by Belew, whose avant-garde playing adds an extra layer of complexity to the track.

One of the most famous songs on the album is "Once in a Lifetime," which has become one of Talking Heads' signature tracks. The song's iconic bassline, played by Weymouth, and its hypnotic rhythm are complemented by Byrne's stream-of-consciousness lyrics, which explore themes of existential angst and the passage of time. The accompanying music video, directed by Byrne and Toni Basil, features Byrne performing a series of spastic, jerky dance moves that have become iconic in their own right.

"Houses in Motion" is another standout track, with its eerie, atmospheric sound and Byrne's haunting vocals. The song's lyrics, which describe a sense of alienation and dislocation, are underscored by the track's unsettling, almost otherworldly soundscape. The use of brass instruments, played by Jon Hassell, adds to the song's unique, avant-garde feel.

The album's second half continues to explore a variety of musical styles and themes. "Seen and Not Seen" is a slower, more introspective track, with Byrne's spoken-word vocals reflecting on the nature of identity and self-perception. "Listening Wind" is another highlight, with its haunting melody and politically charged lyrics, which tell the story of a young man in a developing country who becomes radicalized in response to Western imperialism.

The album closes with "The Overload," a dark, brooding track that stands in stark contrast to the more upbeat, danceable songs that precede it. The song's slow, dirge-like tempo and ominous lyrics create a sense of foreboding, bringing the album to a powerful, if unsettling, conclusion.

"Remain in Light" was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release and has since been recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and has been cited as an influence by numerous artists across a wide range of genres. The album's innovative use of rhythm and texture, combined with its thought-provoking lyrics and eclectic mix of musical styles, make it a landmark work in the history of rock music.