Talking Heads
True Stories

THE REVIEW

Like the previous "Little Creatures" released in 1985, "True Stories" continues Byrne and company's exploration of American rock in all its forms (including country), yet reread through the typical neurotic lens of the group's early albums. The album is part of the "True Stories" project, Byrne's film on urban legends, but it is not its soundtrack, though all the songs are based on the film's events.

The opening of "Love For Sale" is something unique, Frantz's sharp drum beats supported by exquisite guitars and bass make the singer's anxious voice even more engaging, just like "Puzzle Evidence", a great choral effort for a highly rhythmic piece characterized by a typically '60s organ. The subsequent "Hey Now" fits into the group's experimental efforts, where choruses reminiscent of previous creative phases blend with a typical Southern USA rhythm, with a good final result. "Papa Legba" anticipates the South American themes that will explode with "Naked", while "Wild Wild Life" is another beautiful song, perfectly sung by Byrne, the rhythm is again upbeat with a very catchy chorus, and the video is lovely, featuring the band along with the actors from the film performing the song in a Karaoke in the far outskirts of America.

"Radio Head" does not stray from the album's general tones, the ballad "Dream Operator" is truly beautiful, where a suggestive and very regular instrumental introduction free of the usual hysteria sets the stage for David Byrne's splendid voice, with excellent backing vocals by Martina Weymouth. The last ballad, "City Of Dreams", is very far from the typical Talking Heads, everything sounds foreign, Synth voices, piano, but the result is very successful and overall closes an album not essential in the group's journey, now nearing the end of its activity due to the outbreak of constant internal tensions, with a Byrne unjustly believing himself to be the true mastermind of the group.