Okay, I’m just now coming up for air after diving into the Talking Heads box set. Wow. Very cool! I entered into this with a bit of hesitation given all the hype, but I am very happy to report that the hype is justified.
I started with one of the best albums ever produced:
Remain In Light. I think Jerry Harrison himself describes it best:
"Remain In Light was the first album we remixed for 5.1. It seemed to be the perfect place to start. The overlapping, contrapuntal parts can now be heard in all their glory. From the three-dimensional swirl of "Once In A Lifetime" to the staggered choruses of "The Great Curve" to the hypnotic drone of "The Overload," Remain In Light is as dense an album as we ever produced, and I feel that these surround mixes bring these songs to a new level."
"Dense" is an understatement. I expected the surround mix to really open this title up --and it did-- to a certain extent. However, I was surprised to find this nut left largely un-cracked. I was hearing details and passages that I never noticed before, but beneath all the revelation were layers still begging to be peeled back. Perhaps an octophonic mix is needed to really open this gem up.
Be that as it may, the 5.1 mix is a completely new interpretation compared to the original stereo mix. The difference is like night and day. There are folks who abhor surround mixes because of some perception that they impinge upon the original stereo mix. I usually dismiss such nonsense, but in this case I can almost feel their pain. It takes courage to delve beyond the comfort of the familiar to explore the unknown; to face a situation that was once intimately familiar but is now alien. I felt that as I listened to the 5.1 mix of
Remain In Light. The complexity of the mix and infinite layers seemed to amplify the discomfort of hearing the vast difference of the surround mix compared to the very familiar stereo mix.
But that feeling passed as I continued down the road of discovery. Numerous layers were peeled back, laid bare and I found that I wanted more! In this case, it is a desire that I am happy is still there. The 5.1 mix of
Remain In Light reveals much yet retains all its mystery and intoxication.
Next I fired up
More Songs About Buildings And Food. This was sure to prove much more sparse given the primitive density compared to
Remain In Light. True, true, but comparisons here are unfair. Each Talking Heads album stands on its own with truly unique approaches to recording methodologies. I found the surround presentation and clarity of
More Songs About Buildings And Food to be exceptionally satisfying. The approach here relied less on density and more on a stylistic presentation of elements. Very well done.
Finally, I listened to
Fear of Music. Since this, too, was an earlier, sparser title I did not expect the sheer immensity in sound of
Remain In Light. However, I was thoroughly amazed at the full, rich sound of the recording. The surround mix of
Fear of Music really has an immediacy and cohesive sense of environment about it. It is certainly not ambient but, to me, it sounds like the perfect representation of an acoustical space constructed from discrete elements. A thoroughly enjoyable mix with an incredibly rich and detailed flavor!
I can’t wait to delve into the remaining titles. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience thus far. The visual elements and bonus materials are icing on the cake. The set is top-notch all the way through. I love it! A perfect 10!