Because apparently retirement is just a suggestion, Talking Heads is back with an extensive reissue of their 1979 album Fear Of Music, featuring rare and unreleased music as well as new mixes. The first thought that comes to mind is, “Do we really need another deluxe edition?” But let’s be real, who can resist the allure of previously unreleased tracks and remastered classics? Nature is healing, and another deluxe edition has appeared, much to the delight of music enthusiasts and the record label’s accounting department. Somewhere, a record label executive felt a disturbance in the royalties, and it’s about to get a whole lot brighter.
The Fear Of Music Legacy
Released on August 3, 1979, Fear of Music earned Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison their highest placement yet on the Billboard 200, peaking at No.21 and becoming their first gold album. The album’s dystopian anthem Life During Wartime cracked the Billboard Hot 100 as a left-field Top 40 success, introducing the band to an even wider audience. Critics praised the album’s anxious songwriting and producer Brian Eno’s dense, layered production – with NME, Melody Maker, and the Los Angeles Times all crowning it the best album of 1979. It’s a testament to the band’s innovative spirit and the album’s timeless appeal.
A Deep Dive into the Reissue
The Fear Of Music (Super Deluxe Edition) is a 3CD/Blu-ray set that includes a new remaster of the original album, a trove of rarities, and two complete concerts from the album’s tour recorded at Boston’s Berklee Performance Center and the Capitol Theatre in New Jersey. The live performances are a treat for fans, with most of the tracks previously unreleased except for a few that appeared on 1982’s The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads. The Blu-ray includes new Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, and high-resolution stereo mixes of the album, along with rare film footage of the band performing two songs in England for the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test. It’s a treasure trove of Talking Heads goodness, and we can’t get enough of it.
The Recording Process
The band bypassed commercial studios altogether, tracking the album over two days in Weymouth and Frantz’s Long Island City loft rehearsal space. Eno and the band used the studio as a compositional tool, altering tracks long after the basic loft sessions were finished. On Drugs, they took a conventional backing track and systematically muted instruments, stripping away individual notes to force space into the mix. They also added a recording of koalas Byrne made on tour in Australia, and a guitar solo made from fragments of multiple solos. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the band’s creative process, and a testament to their innovative spirit.
The Super Deluxe Edition
The vinyl and CD Super Deluxe Editions come with a 60-page hardcover book featuring rare photos and deep-dive liner notes by Will Hermes, author of Love Goes To Buildings On Fire: Five Years In New York That Changed Music Forever. Hermes argues that New York City looms larger over this record than any other by the band: “Even the record’s packaging telegraphed it.” The distinctive matte-black, embossed sleeve was originally suggested by Harrison, who spotted a diamond tread pattern on the industrial rubber flooring in the loft of Yann Weymouth (Tina’s architect brother). It’s a beautifully packaged edition, and a must-have for any Talking Heads fan.
The farewell tour count has officially entered scientific notation, but we’re not complaining. Music historians are preparing fresh shelves for the box set, and A vinyl pressing plant somewhere just burst into tears. Nobody truly retires in this industry; they merely wait for the 40th anniversary edition. The remaster economy remains undefeated, and we’re happy to contribute to its success. Pre-order the Fear Of Music (Super Deluxe Edition) here, and get ready to experience one of the greatest albums of all time in a whole new way.
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
⚖️ ENTER THE LEGALIZER
Think the government has no idea what it's doing? Put your case before the Federal Case Terminal and find out.
