10 Greatest Bands Who Mixed Music Genres

Led by the worldly artistic tastes of David Byrne, Talking Heads’ musical shifts felt more like natural evolution than a series of abrupt turns. The band got their start as punk made way for new wave, and they were a big part of the New York scene of the late ‘70s, entertaining crowds at CBGBs and the Mudd Club with spiky and sparse tracks like “Psycho Killer”.

By their third record, Fear Of Music, the angular sound was already shifting. Along tracks like “Cities” were the gorgeous soft rock cut “Heaven” and the introduction of world music, particularly on the polyrhythmic opener “I Zimbra”.

This African influenced rock paved the way for their most influential record, Remain In Light. Gone were the short bursts of energy. Instead, Talking Heads were getting deep into Fela Kuti-influenced grooves. The whole first side of the record is one big dance party, the highlight being the kinetic “Crosseyed And Painless”.

The rest of their discography continued to branch outwards, with straightforward rockers like “Road To Nowhere”, breathtaking ballad "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)", and jazzy numbers like “Mr Jones”. Eight records, a consistent line up, but constant growth.