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Talking Heads’ Fear Of Music remains an evergreen post-punk landmark
Talking Heads’ *Fear Of Music* remains a rewarding post-punk album nearly 50 years after its release, with Brian Eno helping shape its sound and songs. A new deluxe edition presents a remastered version, highlighting the band’s mix of angular art rock, electronic textures, funk, disco and pop.
The album includes well-known tracks such as “Heaven”, “Cities” and “Life During Wartime”, alongside the darker “Memories Can’t Wait”. The box set adds two previously unreleased full-disc concerts recorded in 1979, offering a snapshot of the band’s shift towards new-wave stardom; their performances include early versions of album material and two extended takes on “Psycho Killer”.
In short
- *Fear Of Music* remains a landmark Talking Heads album.
- The deluxe edition includes two unreleased 1979 concerts.
- The live recordings capture the band in transition.
Explained simply
Talking Heads were an American band who emerged from New York’s late-1970s music scene. Their sound combined rock with elements of funk, dance music and art, and producer Brian Eno helped shape several of their albums.
Fear of Music appeared in 1979, as punk’s stripped-back approach was giving way to a broader style often called post-punk. Its songs range from the danceable “Life During Wartime” to the more subdued “Heaven”, reflecting the band’s mix of accessible melodies and unusual arrangements.
The album’s lasting influence and the band’s growing audience make it a reference point for understanding the period’s changing sound. The new edition also includes two complete concerts from 1979, giving listeners a record of the group performing as its audience expanded.
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