What a Fool Believes

Talking Heads: “Air”

I haven’t read Jonathan Lethem’s take on Fear of Music for the 33 1/3 series yet but I hope he mentions how anxiety-inducing this album is. David Byrne’s lyrics are often a skewed eye on mundane topics, his delivery elucidating the troubling bits it sees, or outright dread brought upon by the effects of things like drugs and war. The guitars are itchy, the bass and drums eager to move, but Brian Eno’s treatments wall everything into a small space, sound prickling your nerves, claustrophobia pressing in. The title of the album is perfect. And though anxiety is a frequent and rotten state, the nervousness of Fear of Music is something I actively desire. Is it that I’m impressed by its ability to affect or is there a comfort? The fact that I don’t have an answer is the answer.