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The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads [2004 Version]
Universal acclaim
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 42 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Rhino
Release Date: 17 August 2004
Discs: 2 discs
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock
Summary
This two-disc set marks the long-awaited compact disc debut of the legendary band's 1982 live double album. While the original tracks are retained (and the discs follow the original's breakdown of 1977-1979 and 1980-1981), a whopping 16 tracks are added to the set, including 13 that were never before released in any format.
Also By This Artist: Once In A Lifetime
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Brian Eno + David Byrne: My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts [2006 Version]
Also On The Web: Fan Site: Talking-Heads.net
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Uncut
Terrifically thorough. [Nov 2004, p.131]
Entertainment Weekly
Captures the punk attitude, brittle R&B vamps, and quirky lyrical trips of their early years. [20/27 Aug 2004, p.123]
ShakingThrough.net
The second disc... is the sound of a band at the height of its powers, employing a ten-piece band and backup singers, and exhibiting an absolute mastery of its material.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
The result is both the best career-spanning snapshot of and single-purchase introduction to Talking Heads-- odd accolades for a live record-- and a treat for longtime fans.
Read Full Review >Splendid
A terrific and long-overdue reissue that's sure to satiate established fans as well as the new converts it hopes to earn.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
The Name of This Band Is Talking Heads is not only a vital document of an important, groundbreaking band on their way up, it's one of their best albums, easily surpassing Stop Making Sense.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
This is no cynical cash-in; every new track adds gestalt to an album which in its original incarnation was pretty damn great to begin with.
Read Full Review >Blender
The momentous band [on the 1980-81 disc] stretches out and jams, both celebrating and escaping the band's trademark anxiety. [Sep 2004, p.158]
Rolling Stone
In the 1977-79 half of Name, nearly every song beats the studio version. But the 1980-81 disc is the prize, as the Heads take their lofty concepts to the stage with a ten-piece band. [2 Sep 2004, p.147]
Mojo
It's too taxing for the less intense of the band's admirers. [Nov 2004, p.127]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.1 (out of 10) based on 42 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Vito V gave it a10:
Greatest live record of all time.
unico gave it a10:
Well, I will give a ten probably 10 times in my life. this is the essential talking heads. one of the greatest live albums you will ever get to listen to.
Der K. gave it a10:
When I first bought the original cassete version as a teenager in the 80's I was hooked on to this album. The expanded CD version perfects it. There is no other live album in the New Wave/Alternative genre that can match TNOTBITH. The jury is still out as whether it's the greatest live Rock album but for New Wave/Alternative nothing comes close to it before or since.
Mark D gave it a10:
How can people give this anything less than a 9? Brilliant album charting the evolution of a band from relatively small beginnings to their creative peak.
Travis F. gave it a7:
This album is good but certainly not a 93 out of 100 or an 8.9 average review by other listeners. Perhaps a 7 but not even the best Talking Heads album released, let alone one of the best albums released in the last six or seven years.
Ruben M. gave it a10:
This is a MUST HAVE. One of the best releases of Talking Heads, it's fresh, powerful and if anyone dislikes this, they just dislike real good music.
Brian K gave it a10:
Best live album I have ever heard. The energy and musicianship on this album is hard to beat (no pun intended).
