Remain in Light

Remain in Light is an album by Talking Heads, released on October 8, 1980 (see 1980 in music). Featuring funky African rhythms, the album became an influential post punk, world music and New Wave recording. Remain in Light uniquely blended African-American, continental African and white American musical forms; Rolling Stone magazine's Ken Tucker noted at the time that there had rarely been "a larger gap between what black and white audiences were listening to". Living Colour's Vernon Reid describes its African polyrhythms: "Instead of alienation turning into dark angst it turns into celebration, the dance".

Related Topics:
Talking Heads - October 8 - 1980 - 1980 in music - Funk - Africa - Rhythm - Post punk - World music - New Wave - African-American - Rolling Stone - Living Colour - Vernon Reid - Polyrhythm

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The music was produced on a multitrack tape machine with variable tape speed. The varispeed feature was indeed used by producer Brian Eno and the players. When David Byrne recorded the vocals to the already recorded rhythm tracks, he sped up the machine considerably. This speed-up was maintained when the mix was transferred to vinyl, and is the source of the nervous feeling. If one plays back the LP at a speed lowered by approximately 20%, the music becomes more expressive and danceable, and the lyrics become understandable, but the sound of the vocals and some instruments become slightly unnatural.

Related Topics:
Multitrack tape - Brian Eno - David Byrne - Vocals - Vinyl

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The single "Once in a Lifetime" sold poorly upon its original release but a quirky music video and its presence on the soundtrack to Down and Out in Beverly Hills helped make it a charting single and minor hit in 1986 (see 1986 in music).

Related Topics:
Music video - Soundtrack - Down and Out in Beverly Hills - 1986 - 1986 in music

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The album cover and liner notes were created by the notable graphic designer, Tibor Kalman.

Related Topics:
Graphic design - Tibor Kalman

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In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Remain in Light the 88th greatest album of all time.

Related Topics:
2003 - TV network - VH1

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