As a driving member of the fledgling '70s New York punk scene, the Talking Heads produced record after record of consistently brilliant material. The band's music embodied intelligence rarely found among the mass of bands, a characteristic that makes Sand in the Vaseline the perfect purchase for the aspiring intellectual in us all.
Sand in the Vaseline is composed of two discs that encapsulate the Talking Heads' "popular favorites" over the period from 1976 to 1992. For the non-math majors in the crowd, that's 17 years of tasty musical morsels.
Each tune on the album offers solid music intermingled with the band's signature wit. Whether playing catchy pop songs ("And She Was," "Once in a Lifetime") or more ambitious, experimental tunes ("I Zimbra"), the Talking Heads manage to keep the listener interested and engaged with clever melodies and lyrics.
Sand in the Vaseline is also home to an incredible number of reviews of contemporary social and political issues. The album contains critiques of the American ideal of paradise ("Heaven"), so-called social progress ("(Nothing But) Flowers") and national leadership ("Don't Worry About the Government"), all augmented by fantastic musical support.
You need this album. Not only will it keep your mind stimulated, but it will also cause your body to gyrate in ways that you never thought possible. Maybe it will even make you a better person.
--Brian Gettler