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2025 Charity Shop Purchases #37 - Talking Heads - Naked
I've never really had the urge to acquire Naked the eighth and final studio album from 1988 by Talking Heads.This is probably because the seventh one True Stories which I bought at the time was so poor.
However, the completist in me was tempted when I saw it out of the corner of my eye as I finished scouring the Charity Shop shelves despite it looking in poor condition. Fortunately it scrubbed up well.
I stuck it on with no/low expectations but was pleasantly surprised as to how good it was. Obviously it comes nowhere near to being as good as the first four but arguably it is not quite as good as Speaking in Tongues but just about on par with Little Creatures.
I wouldn't say that it has been on constant rotation but I can see it getting an airing from time to time.
I'm glad I took the punt.
Thank goodness! When the post title appeared in my blog list I was worried you were going be revealing all
ReplyDeleteI think Naked is a little overlooked, much better than True Stories and with some good songs. The fire had gone out of TH but there's some good stuff on naked- Nothing But Flowers and Blind, Cool Water, the 2 you've posted. Its just a bit safe compared to their glory years
ReplyDeleteI'm with the majority here. I don't own True Stories or Naked but have the rest on both CD and vinyl. Most of the highlights (maybe no highlights on True Stories except possibly City of Dreams) are on Sand in the Vaseline, and that has always been good enough for me. I think it was Adam that posted an extended version of Blind a while back that was excellent. - Brian
ReplyDeleteNaked unintentionally became one of the first TH albums I bought by virtue of finding a copy in the vinyl bargain bin at WH Snith c. 1988/89, i.e. not long after its release.
ReplyDeleteIt’s far from my favourite, but ranks higher than True Stories and Little Creatures, not least for the more sympathetic production and sparks of creativity.
The Johnny Marr guest spot is an added bonus!
Thanks for the reminder, CC, I must give the album a fresh listen.