 |  | Good for picking up a party or driving |  |
The Talking Heads have put out some great music in the 1980's up to the mid 90's but I think this album was when they reached a creative pinnacle in their melodic style. David Byrne has the kind of creative mind which produces lyrics and music in a unique way. Because their music was always considered obscure, even within their category, they tended to attract a sub mainstream audience. "Speaking in Tounges" was their first record to get noticed but even so, it was considered eclectic. Then "Stop Making Sense" (the movie) came out and mainstream was going to see it and buying Talking Heads recordings, followed by the soundtrack for "True Stories."
What I like about it is that it's uplifting, fun, and energetic. The music makes you want to get up and dance. The words are sometimes weird, funny, and strong statements about our society. I've also put in some great driving time in our old Saab, listening to this CD. When it ends, you find the last hour seemed to go by quickly and you're almost there!
March 21, 2008 | | Eclectic, poignant and it began my musical appreciation | |
Little Creatures was an album a friend of mine who ran a record store in the 80's in Newport, Rhode Island, gave to me when I was first discovering the magic of Mike Stipe. I was into very different styles of music, but knew about Talking Heads during its heydey days at CBGB's and their connection at RISD. David Byrne was a voice of his generation. I was very young when I first heard 'Little Creatures'. My friends laughed at me, as at that time Beastie Boys were the towering inferno of adolescence. 'And She Was' and 'Road To Nowhere' I would belt out in my room to screams from my mother to turn that blasted, awful, talentless music off. :)
There is just something whimsically magical, and almost ambient about Little Creatures and the voice of Byrne. It's music that seems to fit into every situation, which is why so many directors, including Stone, has used their music in scenes which called for something that indeed isn't smashing rock and roll, and too soft to be called Byrne.
Really a fantastic album, by one of the greatest bands ever.
January 21, 2008| | | (3.5 stars) Pure '80s pop, but hey, it's fun | |
You know, when I first heard about this album I was ready and willing to rip it to pieces. I mean, a pop album? From Talking Heads? Yeah, that's right. It's their equivalent of Loaded by the Velvet Underground: proof they could've made good pop if they had chose to, they just never chose to. And besides, there's plenty of the group's personality here - as on the jumpy "Perfect World", and on "The Lady Don't Mind", which goes from a Pink Floyd-influenced intro to a full-on dance track. Anyway, there were several minor hits here: "And She Was" is pure catchy hummable fun; "Stay Up Late", about a perverted babysitter (At least that's my take) is fun bouncy piano-pop with wonderful guitar parts; "Walk it Down", despite having annoying keyboards, is still pretty funky and besides it has great lyrics; "Road to Nowhere" is enjoyably jerky and has a nice militant rhythm, even if the organ tone once again hurts it. But it's nowhere near perfect. For one, a bit of ambition wouldn't have hurt. For another, there are a couple songs I don't like here: the country-new wave hybrid "Creatures of Love" is awkward; the world music-flavored "Television Man" is endless; and there's nothing either here or there about "Give Me Back My Name". Plus there are some moronic keyboards. Oh well, it's a good fun time, exactly what it was intended to be. So hey. Can't complain too much. It's just that it's nowhere near Remain in Light.
December 17, 2007| | | When David Byrne Went Solo, He Lost All The Good Harmonies | |
This album is beautiful because of the vocal harmonies provided by Tina Weymouth. She was a perfect counterpart to David Byrne's odd voice. When he went solo, he lost all of this.
Hands down, my favorite song on the album is Road To Nowhere. The vocal harmonies are delicious and the song reminds me of the awesome video that they created for the song.
May 8, 2007| | | "Little Creatures": Memorable, great pop from 'Heads. | |
I actually came across this album a couple years ago, but at the time I only really payed attention to the big hit, "And She Was." Then I checked it out again, and realized that each of these songs is catchy and solid. Sure, it's not as quirky or goofy as moments in older releases, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have greatness. It does. The album especially has a good album-ending punch with "Television Man" and "Road to Nowhere." "Road" was actually pretty unconventional compared to the remainder of the album even though it was one of the hits from the album. And yes, David Byrne sings more mid-range here. He actually does sound British at points, like in the chorus of "Creatures of Love." Quirky lyrics like "I've seen sex and I think it's okay" and "I wanna make him stay up all night" make the album memorable. It may not be an elitist favorite but it still connects to younger people, including me, a fan who isn't even 20 yet.
December 24, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
