On its debut, Talking Heads: 77, the future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers sound like a collection of musicians whose core met at the Rhode Island School of Design. The songs come at you in unanticipated angles, using rock ‘n’ roll basics as rules to follow, bend and break with lyrics that bound from naturalistic to surrealistic and occasionally highlight the awesomeness of overlooked everyday moments. A nervous, tense-and-release fashions an unending energy. Altogether, the sonic palette strikes out with an individualistic stance, particularly when compared to the rawness of many of their New York punk contemporaries. 

This Super Deluxe Edition provides the requisite remastered sound for added clarity, a dozen rarities, a live set from The Heads’ last gig at CBGB plus an 80-page hardcover book with never-before-seen photos, fliers, artwork and liner notes by the four bandmembers and recording engineer Ed Stasium.

On  the album’s 11 numbers, the rhythm attack by bassist extraordinaire Tina Weymouth and tight, metronomic drummer Chris Frantz gives the material a slinky funkiness as David Byrne shouts out lines that inhabit an innocent persona rediscovering everything at the dawn of a new day (“Don’t Worry About the Government”) or someone about to break down due to the overwhelmingness of it all (a “real live wire” on “Psycho Killer” and literally falling apart on “Pulled Up”). Newest member Jerry Harrison, fresh off the dissolution of The Modern Lovers, supplies musical support throughout the album.

Upbeat and cheerful, “Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town” begins the musical journey, while “Happy Day” is downright blissful. Much of “77” also provides a musical roadmap that indicates what’s to come on future releases. “Tentative Decisions” hints at the style of 1979’s Fear of Music and 1980’s Remain in Light and the marching rhythm of single “Road to Nowhere,” while the horn arrangements on Alternate Pop Version of “Pulled Up” nods to the Head’s “Naked” and Byrne’s future solo endeavors.

The rarities range from B-sides and alternate versions — previously-released tracks include the sweet acoustic pop of “Sugar On My Tongue” and an acoustic “Psycho Killer featuring cellist Arthur Russell that amps up the track’s uneasiness and danger with Alternate Pop Versions of “Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town,” and “New Feeling” (with horns!) finally make it to an official release. Also unearthed is a previously unreleased Alternate Version of “Psycho Killer” as well as an unheard Alternate Pop Version of “Pulled Up.”

Finally, the 13 previously unreleased live recordings on Oct. 10, 1977 — less than a month after Talking Heads: ‘77 came out – find the quartet already moving forward with a cover of Al Green’s “Take Me to the River,” “Thank You for Sending Me an Angel” and “Stay Hungry” in its set. All three songs will show up on its next album, More Songs About Buildings & Food.

Talking Heads: ‘77 presents a band that sounded like no one else of its time, as if the members were aliens dropped off in the Bowery and took advantage of an opportunity to unleash its creative inclinations to the world. This release reinforces that y presenting the band sounds as fresh today as it was nearly 50 years ago.

The Super Deluxe Edition is sold as either 4LPs (1 LP of the remastered original album, 1 LP of rare and previously unreleased demos and outtakes, and a 2 LPs featuring 13 previously unreleased live recordings captured during their last performance Live at CBGB, New York, NY, Oct. 10, 1977 with four 7” singles set in a gatefold format with a black and white image of the band or a 3-CD/Blu-Ray set. Both include the same 80-page hardcover book. The Blu-Ray has an Atmos Mix, 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA, 5.1 Mix LPCM, all overseen by Harrison, and a 2024 Stereo Remaster.

Also available is a 2LP Neon Green Vinyl version only available at Barnes & Noble, a 2LP Standard Black Vinyl at all general retailers.