The generally high quality of the idiosyncratic, global albums released on Byrne's Luaka Bop label identify the former leader of Talking Heads as a credible connoisseur. Now he's back on native turf. For one, Byrne's spare new band is a welcome relief from the cluttered, horn-heavy ensembles previously gathered. Lest one forget, Talking Heads were the founders of punk's school of ironic detachment. And the dance that one does when ironically detached is best performed with both feet firmly planted on the floor to stripped-down music that stops, starts, and speeds up abruptly.
Girlfriend Is Better.
No longer practicing cross-cultural cryogenics, Byrne simply dashes David Byrne with essences brought back from his musical travels. After all, he's a cool cat. See, he's got long hair on the album cover.