TALK TALK Schallplatten & CDs

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Few bands have undergone as profound a transformation as this British group, and this collection carefully traces that evolution. Spanning five albums, it highlights both their early synth-pop success and their later, more expansive sound. The journey begins with 'Talk Talk', a defining moment of the early 80s, followed by the powerful 'Today' and the reflective 'Have You Heard The News?'. 'It's My Life' remains a landmark, its reputation only growing over time, while 'Such A Shame' solidifies its status as an essential deep cut and cult favorite. The second half of the set balances the band's shift toward a richer, more organic approach. 'Life's What You Make It' bridges the transition, blending anthemic hooks with a more intricate sonic landscape. 'Living In Another World' and 'Give It Up' further explore this textured sound. By the time the collection reaches 'April 5th' and 'Time It's Time', the songwriting has taken on a deeper, more atmospheric quality. 'I Believe In You' stands as one of the band's most emotionally powerful moments, reflecting their ability to craft songs with immense depth. The final stretch features 'Eden' and 'Wealth', leading into 'New Grass'ia stunning closer from their final album, widely regarded as a masterpiece. Thoughtfully sequenced, this compilation works as both an introduction and a celebration. A perfect update to their best of - Natural History - from way back in 1990.

Review: Few bands have undergone as profound a transformation as this British group, and this collection carefully traces that evolution. Spanning five albums, it highlights both their early synth-pop success and their later, more expansive sound. The journey begins with 'Talk Talk', a defining moment of the early 80s, followed by the powerful 'Today' and the reflective 'Have You Heard The News?'. 'It's My Life' remains a landmark, its reputation only growing over time, while 'Such A Shame' solidifies its status as an essential deep cut and cult favorite. The second half of the set balances the band's shift toward a richer, more organic approach. 'Life's What You Make It' bridges the transition, blending anthemic hooks with a more intricate sonic landscape. 'Living In Another World' and 'Give It Up' further explore this textured sound. By the time the collection reaches 'April 5th' and 'Time It's Time', the songwriting has taken on a deeper, more atmospheric quality. 'I Believe In You' stands as one of the band's most emotionally powerful moments, reflecting their ability to craft songs with immense depth. The final stretch features 'Eden' and 'Wealth', leading into 'New Grass'ia stunning closer from their final album, widely regarded as a masterpiece. Thoughtfully sequenced, this compilation works as both an introduction and a celebration. A perfect update to their best of - Natural History - from way back in 1990.

Review: To mark the 40th anniversary of Talk Talk's landmark album It's My Life, this special edition reissue is cut at half-speed by Matt Colton at Metropolis Studios, with oversight from Talk Talk drummer Lee Harris and Charlie Hollis, son of the late Mark Hollis. Originally released in February 1984, It's My Life followed the band's debut with a more refined sound and greater international success. Tracks like 'Such a Shame' and the title track became staples, achieving top ten hits across Europe and entering the US Top 40. The reissue has been meticulously crafted, utilising an extensively modified Neumann VMS-80 lathe with an upgraded SX74 cutterhead, improved magnetics and a new pitch control system. Enhanced filtering and correction circuitry designed by James Kedwards ensure that this anniversary edition delivers unprecedented depth and clarity. Fans of the band and audiophiles alike will appreciate this expertly produced celebration of Talk Talk's influential second album.

Review: The legendary Talk Talk was one of a kind. Not only did they craft exceptional studio albums rich in melodic details but they were top in the live arena too. This sublime broadcast from 1984 finds them in Utrecht in the Netherlands playing for a live FM Broadcast recorded at the Muziekcentrum Vredenburg on 27th May. The group formed by Mark Hollis is in dynamic form and they worked through all their hits to date alongside cuts from the two albums which they had already put out at that time. Experimental rock, jazz and free improv all defined this most artful band.

Review: Despite emerging as a synth-pop outfit, Talk Talk's sound evolved considerably in a short space of time. By 1986, when their third album The Colour of Spring hit record stores, they'd ditched the synth-pop of their debut and the free-jazz-influenced post-rock of its sequel in favour of a more traditional indie sound - albeit one still infused with some electronics and bags of aural invention. The performance captured on this CD (originally recorded for a radio broadcast) dates from 86 and mixes interpretations of tracks from The Colour of the Spring with new takes on earlier singles and classic cuts. Highlights include a rushing version of 'It's My Life', the concert-opening 'Talk Talk' and a decidedly Balearic, harmonica-sporting 'Living In Another World'.

Review: Talk Talk are true totems of the British synth-pop tradition, and they certainly took an interesting path into experimental realms from the midpoint of their career, but it all began right here. The Party's Over is grandiose in all the best ways, capturing an era of exquisite songwriting which was groundbreaking and traditionally rooted at the same time. Like ABC, Talk Talk knew how to deliver bombast and sentimentality without losing the depth of their work, and now, 40 years on, this spectacular album is being given a reissue on white vinyl.