Let's Talk about Talk Talk

[Sean]

I flat out love their first three albums. No question that these were masterpieces. Then they release two albums that I have tried and tried to get into but just cannot. The only one song that I can somewhat listen to is "I Believe In You" but that was after forcing myself to listen to it many times. Maybe they are just too advance or something but can someone help me find something to like about there last two albums. What should I be listening for?

By the way guys, is there an official website for Talk Talk?

[i_like_lectric_motors]

I absolutely love Spirit Of Eden and Laughing Stock. The key to appreciating these really is repeated listens. It is hard as a fan of their previous work to do this because of pre-conceived notions of what they "should" sound like. If you have "Colour Of Spring" go back and listen to "April 5th" and "Chameleon Day" as a lead-in to Spirit Of Eden. Talk Talk really did something incredible. They were on the verge of breaking big and seemed to just say fuck it, let's just create what we want to. Career suicide? For sure. But these records were heard by the critics and by up and coming musicians and Talk Talk basically created post-rock with Spirit of Eden. If you do a search for reviews of these 2 records, you'll find some serious adoration. I didn't look up either of them until I had already fallen in love with them and I was amazed to see how much love they got. I really thought they were too challenging ("advanced" is a good word to describe them) for all but a few to apreciate.

What to look for? Spirit of Eden - Probably more like, what to feel. The answer is the atmosphere, the building tension, the sound just under the surface that is always threatening to break through and finally pays off on The Rainbow. It's not an album that can be played in the background. You really do need to just sit and listen. Listen to all the details and nuances. What at first may seem totally random will reveal itself instead to be intricately constructed. "Desire" may be the best song they ever did.

Laughing Stock is even more difficult to get. It's just so completely unlike everything else it's impossible to sum up in a couple of sentences. Again, there's the tension. Such power. It's not easy to get through but it is rewarding. I think everyone who gets into it takes something different away from it. I wish I could describe it better, but like one reviewer said "I may as well try to describe the dawn for you." Really.

Check out a site called www.rateyourmusic.com . Spirit was rated the #1 album of 1988 and Laughing Stock was rated # 2 for 1991 being beaten only by My Bloody Valentine's Loveless. These are criminally underappreciated and very influential albums. Please keep trying!

There is no Official Talk Talk website that I'm aware of. These unofficial sites are pretty good:

http://www.talktalk.hu/
http://users.cybercity.dk/~bcc11425/

Hope that helps and congrats on hitting the 1,000 post mark!

[Ollie Stench]

I saw TT open for the Psychedelic Furs in 1984 and got to meet Mark Hollis after the show. My friends and I were hanging out by the backstage door hoping to meet the Furs. The guys in Talk Talk came out and told us that The Furs usually didn't meet with fans. We told the band that we thought their set was great and made small talk. One of them ran into the bus and pulled out a bunch of flats which the band signed and gave to us. I had mine up until about 3 years ago when it was destroyed when I moved.

Mark Hollis started in a band called The Reaction that had a song called Talk Talk Talk Talk on the Beggars Banquet compilation album "Streets"

[KYYX4ever]

Terrific review, motors.
I agree; these 2 albums were a 180 degree turn from their previous stuff; although [i]The Colour of Spring[/i] already had elements of their change toward these last 2 albums. Hard to classify. Some of it reminds me of Brian Eno and some similar ambient stylings. Unstructured jazzy moods. Not albums I listen to frequently...but not 'cuz they're not worthy. They are just "moody" and I prefer more upbeat stuff. But keep listening to these; they're very layered and dense.

[Crimsor]

I listened to these two albums for the first time today after reading this thread. Im amazed by them. Not only because of how good they are but because I had no idea these albums were so different from their earlier stuff, which I love as well. I definitely applaud them for it! It reminds me, slightly, of The Soft Machine (or a similar band) in a way!

[SomebodySomewhere]

[quote]Originally posted by Sean
[br]I flat out love their first three albums. No question that these were masterpieces. Then they release two albums that I have tried and tried to get into but just cannot. The only one song that I can somewhat listen to is "I Believe In You" but that was after forcing myself to listen to it many times. Maybe they are just too advance or something but can someone help me find something to like about there last two albums.[/quote]

I'd love to, but I can't. I hate them both. Including that song. I don't care for the '86 album, either, although at least they sounded like they were trying on that one. "It's My Life" was a great hit and won them a big fanbase, but instead of trying to follow it up, they seemed to deliberately sink their career with -- as Rolling Stone put it -- "pointless noodling."

Having read reviews from that ass Brandon Flowers, I have a pretty strong hunch The Killers will soon be following Talk Talk into the two-hit-wonder file.

[fortyfives]

[quote]Originally posted by Sean
[br]I flat out love their first three albums. No question that these were masterpieces. Then they release two albums that I have tried and tried to get into but just cannot. The only one song that I can somewhat listen to is "I Believe In You" but that was after forcing myself to listen to it many times. Maybe they are just too advance or something but can someone help me find something to like about there last two albums. What should I be listening for?

By the way guys, is there an official website for Talk Talk?
[/quote]


I must admit I agree with you Sean. Their first 3 albums are fantastic! I remember buying them when they first came out. But, no matter how hard I tried, I just can't get into "Spirit of Eden" or " Laughing Stock"

[MartiniHoudini]

Talk Talk's "Tomorrow Started" from their "It's My Life" album is a true masterpiece!

[LovePlusOne]

...at least Mark Hollis didn't pull an Al Jorgensen [:o)]

[Sean]

I like album version of Tomorrow Started but I like the live version from the Natural istory album even more. It's in incredible song.

LovePlusOne, very true statement. [:D]

I hope Talk Talk reunites and blows us all away with the most incredible album ever. They've got the talent to do that.

[Hani]

I've always been into Talk Talk stuff but the song that really got into me is 'Renee'. It is such a suitable song to listen to when i'm sober.

[Sean]

Hani, I love that song too. One of the most melodic choruses ever for a song. One of the hidden treasures of New Wave.

[Frank_Chickens]

Their first two LPs are enjoyable enough, but apart from "Life's What You Make It" on the third, they start to disappear up their own behind, a prcess completed on "Laughing Stock".

[driverx]

I saw Talk Talk open for the Furs in 1984 also. Out on the lawn at Poplar Creek (now history) in illinois. It was the first and only time I've ever seen an opening band come out and do an encore. The crowd was going nuts - lighters going everywhere.

By the way, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock are great albums. Look for the b-side "John Cope" too. I think it's on a b-sides collection. Also check out Catherine Wheel 'Adam & Eve' & 'Wishville' - these were influenced by the Talk Talk sound and feature Tim Friese-Greene who played with Talk Talk.

[billh]

Saw Talk Talk open for Elvis Costello, August 1982 at Meadowbrook, outside Detroit. Excellent, excellent show. One of the most vivid memories I have is that before and between sets, the entire "Lexicon of Love" LP by ABC was played over the PA. I ran out and bought it the next day.