Released

I’m here to make the controversial argument that not only have Talking Heads never made an album that was less than great, but their post-Speaking In Tongues era is the band at its peak. Right up to the end of the line, the band continued evolving from the post-punk they helped popularize into a wilder sound that cribbed from afrobeat, salsa, Tejano, and any number of less recognizable antecedents. Their final album Naked acts as the perfect bridge from the end of the Heads to the beginning of David Byrne’s solo career. With the band in playing top, tight form, the album was the result of jamming while knowing lyrics and melodies would be added in the final stages, resulting in a consistent blast of worldbeat and funk that pairs as smoothly as ever with Byrne’s wry, paranoia-laced lyrics.

Amelia Riggs

Suggestions