Talking Heads Announce Massive ‘Fear of Music’ Reissue

Talking Heads are reissuing their 1979 classic Fear of Music as a massive “super deluxe edition.” The new set will house rarities and previously unreleased music and arrives on Nov. 13.

Each edition will house a remastered version of the original album, accompanied by two full concerts from their Fear of Music tour. One was recorded at Berklee Performance Center on Aug. 24, 1979 in Boston, and the other was taped in New Jersey at Capitol Theatre on Nov. 17, 1979. Nearly all of the song performances are being released for the first time.

Fear of Music (Super Deluxe Edition) comes in three CD/Blu-ray, six LP vinyl, and a 2LP version. The Blu-ray includes new Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, and high-resolution stereo mixes. It also features the band performing two songs in England for the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, where they performed “Life During Wartime” live, which the band shared on their YouTube.

The vinyl and CD Super Deluxe Editions will be packaged with a 60-page hardcover book that includes photos and liner notes by Will Hermes, author of Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever.

Arriving on Aug. 3, 1979, Fear of Music found Talking Heads — Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison — earning their highest spot on the Billboard 200 to date, where it peaked at Number 21.