Talk Talk Talk

One of those albums people are thinking about when they say music sounds all the same

Christ, another album from 1981 that has a similar name and album art to everything else from 1981 here. Is it going to be post punk/new wave garbage? Course it is. UK? Yeah, probably. Yep, English new wave punk garbage. Singer rips off Johnny rotten. Boring. 2/5.

This was very samey... but just fun and vibrant enough to earn it a fourth star. It's the type of 80's that I can't help but smile at.

Post-punk meets new wave and pop and Richard Butler’s very distinctive voice. An early ‘80s classic.

Good

pretty positive I'm gonna come out on the other end of this thing actually having less appreciation for new wave

Loud band with sardonic (and borderline misogynistic) frontman. Pretty is Pink was a great single, but his voice palls over the length of an album, and it all starts to sound pretty much the same. I like the breakdown at 1:33 of It Goes On. That's a pretty muscular rhythm section. I could live without all the saxophones.

Tension in the interaction between Furs' name, sound, style, and instrumentation generates plenty of satisfying spikes. The quality of songs, at first blush, is equally uneven. The pop backing is sturdy enough to hold the album up, turning into the foreground. Personally, the only thing inspiring a return is something like a string, when it appears.

One of the albums (just like Talk Talk's Laughing Stock) that for some reason you could practically buy for free in every record store in the nineties in the Netherlands. And so I did at the time. One of my favourite albums from the 80s and not sure which of the first four Psychedelic Furs albums is the best one. Talk Talk Talk contains the original Pretty in Pink - I prefer their 86 Americanish movie version, but this version fits the rest of the album much better.

i ended up enjoying this WAY more than i thought i would… i was never bored and i enjoyed the sound to the point i think i may even revisit a couple of these songs later. 4 stars because the vocal style really did not work for me at all and i thought i would get used to it but never did. but eventually i was able to tune that out and just enjoy the guitars quite delightfully

I give Deadheads shit because, for a lot of them, “all roads lead to the Grateful Dead”, so I realize what I’m about to type might put me in a similar category, but… Musically and melodically, this reminds me of Guided By Voices, particularly in their latter-day configuration. It’s probably the shared Bowie influence, but Bob Pollard does love his post-punk, so I think the comparison tracks. Anyway, Talk Talk Talk is a solid post-punk record and a lot better than I was expecting, given how maudlin some of the other British post-punk records on the list have been.

So a big of The Psychedelic Furs, and was really looking forward to diving into this album… Always thought they were more of a mid-80’s band, but was really surprised to find their debut album came out in 1980 – so kudos for being one of the bands that defined the sound of the 80’s… Of note – I got the Furs album 2 days after having to listen to a band called “The Psychedelic Sounds Of The 13th Floor Elevators” – who apparently was the first artist to add the term “psychedelic’ to music – so there’s that, and not much else with that band… By the way, their album “The 13th Floor Elevators” is dreadful as hell, and totally sucks ass - if you haven’t gotten to that one yet… Anyways – liked the rock-based foundation of The Furs take on alternative 80’s pop, and have always been a fan of Richard Butler’s unique vocal style… Also enjoyed the guitar work on the album, as well as how they strategically worked the sax into their songs – as it really added a unique twist… Seems like they are one of those bands that always had 3-4 excellent songs on each album – which really helped to sustain momentum in the music industry over time, and “Talk, Talk, Talk” is no exception… Those 3-4 for me on this album would be – “Pretty In Pink” – 5-stars out of 7… Staple on the soundtrack to the 80’s… “Mr. Jones” – 4-stars out of 7… Nice straight-forward rock track… “Dumb Waiters” – 5-stars out of 7… Really unique sound to this one… “All Of This & Nothing” – 4-stars out of 7… Nice closer to the album, with great instrumental sections… There really isn’t a bad track on “Talk, Talk, Talk”, though there do seem to be bits and pieces of the more popular tracks, embedded into some of the lesser tracks (i.e. “No Tears” & “She Is Mine” sound a bit like “Pretty In Pink” at times…). Got to see the band at an 80’s festival a few years back, and they were awesome live – and you would be shocked at just how deep their catalog is when you listen to them… Highly recommend… This album definitely represents a band on the rise, and a clear step forward in the evolution as compared to their debut album… Not fully developed by any means, but you can see exactly where they are going… Would probably give this a 3.25 if I could, but definitely can’t get this to a 4, so a really good 3 in my book…

"I had to pay the doorman just to let me use the door. I had to use a muscleman to pick me off the floor" I was pretty excited to listen to a Psychedelic Furs album, as I really love the song "Love my Way," and my dad (having been a teenager in the 80s) told me that The Psychedelic Furs were one of the bigger bands, influence-wise, in his high-school, along with the Cure, the Smiths, and others. Upon listening to the album, I was pretty disappointed with what the furs had to offer. There were some songs with fairly good musical ideas behind them, such as: T1- "Dumb Waiters," and T2- "Pretty in Pink" (playlist track). But, much more frequently I found the songs to have very surface-level lyrics that were borderline embarrassing to be listening to, with uninteresting vocals over mediocre music, even if the music is in the genre that I prefer over most others. Due mostly to the genre, the band's influence, and those first 2 tracks, the album will not get a 2/5, but rather a... 3/5

Punk

This album is very much punk having an exotential crisis in the face of New Wave. And David Bowie.

I don't care how much punk you make me listen to, I'm never gonna like it

If you don’t like this then you don’t get what post punk is really about! I loved this 5/5

Absolutely love this album front to back..

I really love this record. My older brother’s best friend gave me a dubbed tape of it when it came out and it blew my 8th grade mind. The slightly discordant sound and Butler’s droney vocals but still kind of dancey style was new and unique and I still love it.

I love it!!

Classic 80s alt rock

I love the first two and last two tracks and the rest are dirty and sexy. I Wanna Sleep With You is a banger too ; ) Some of it sounds like Bowie which is a plus for me. One of my favorite new wave albums that makes me think maybe this genre can be rewarding after all

5/5

Love moody men from the 80s tbh

I knew the song Pretty In Pink but hadn't realised it was The Psychedelic Furs - I don't even recall the name. The album is much of the same, I really liked it, post-punk goodness

I thoroughly enjoyed this classic album.

Really great album.

I’ve become kind of allergic to the phrase “New Wave” as this project has gone on, given the number of English synth bands from the 80’s I’ve endured. I’d heard of this band, but never listened. All of this made for a very pleasant surprise. This album is super interesting and has all kinds of weird, rough edges and an artsy sensibility. It reminded me of Roxy Music a little.

Not sure how these guys have passed me by, but this is spot-on, defining both 80s new wave pop and indie rock in one fell swoop.

Didn’t listen to them way back when and kind of feel like I might have missed out

Rating things is so scary and hard so I’m giving every album five stars. It’s nice that they wrote a song about my dad. Overall I don’t respect British people but I did like this album

I’ve heard this before, but giving it three good listens in a row revealed a masterpiece to me. An incredible album.

For some reason, I get The Psychedelic Furs and Violent Femmes mixed up all the time. I think it’s something about their names. Talk Talk Talk occupies a space between New Wave and Post-Punk; it always seems to be oscillating between a somewhat respectable Pop sound, and a rawer heavy Rock one. It makes for compelling listening. And when it settles down to the Bowie-Esque She Is Mine at the end, it unravels into a beautifully melancholy portrayal of the absurdity of life and all it’s small characters, coincidences and events which throws the whole album into a greater perspective. This is the sound of Punk growing up, losing some of the Nihilism and embracing Absurdism, and I’m all for it

"Post punk," "new wave," whatever genre you want to fit the Furs into, the music defies. Strange, hypnotic, droning, aggressive, grating, melancholic,... better to attach adjectives than categories. A work of art.

I completely forgot about "All of This and Nothing" and will be playing it on repeat. God, I love this album. So underrated.

There were times while I was listening to this when I thought it was perhaps one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. Other times I felt it was just really fucking good. I usually don't fall in love on the first date, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't screw.

ohne 80er Vibes schöne Schrammel-Melancholie

Loved it then and still do today.

Loved it!

Oh my god, love this whole album. I only ever knew them from Pretty in Pink. Wish I had heard it back in the day.

This is a nice album full of poppy and rocky hits that seem so 80s that you wanna go to a mall and get an Orange Julius. 4.6/5 Fav: Pretty in Pink Least Fav: All of This and Nothing

What a killer album! How had I never listened to this before!? Such an interesting saxophone hook to open an album… got me from the first note.

Excellent! One of my all-time favorites bands from the 80s!

I liked this one quite a lot. It's infectiously catchy, with an energy that kept me invested throughout. There's some elements of post-punk and pop thrown into it, but its rock DNA shines through. There is some excellent sax-playing in there too. (RIP Mars Williams) I can totally see how this might not be a popular one outside of the UK though; there's no hiding the accent, and to an American it probably produces the same kind of feeling I get from hearing American country singers with a real Southern twang to their accent. Regardless, this was a really good album, and I bet it was somewhat of an inspiration for British indie and britpop acts that came later. Favourite: Dumb Waiters

The Psychedelic Furs as a band are a class act. I've seen them a few times live with the first show being the most memorable. It was an intimate setting & got to shake Richard Butler's hand as he was performing & caught his brother, Tim's, guitar pick. Of all the stories I hear of 80s bands still touring, I hear nothing but praises for this band & Richard specifically - he truly appreciates his fans. Pretty In Pink is an 80s staple & the movie is my second favorite all-time film. The rest of the album is classic Furs with Richard's raspy vocals, Mars William's sax, and a nice balance between post punk & new wave. RIP to Mars Williams who recently lost his battle to cancer. If you liked this album, take a listen at the rest of their work. It's great stuff. 4.5 stars.

For the second time in just a few days, we have an album that I thought I'd be luke-warm on, at best, based on scant familiarity with the artist but on listening, I find myself really enjoying the sound and thinking, I would definitely listen to this again. I didn't think this kind of 80s alternative was my thing but who knows what my thing is anymore. I liked this a lot!

Interesting that I’ve likely never heard any of these songs before, although I am very familiar with the 1986 re-recording of Pretty In Pink from the movie. This version was a bit different. That made this album a completely new listen. I enjoyed it. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting - there was a lot more going on than the 80s hits I am familiar with would have implied. Really interesting and good, and one of those albums I think I like a lot more now than if I’d heard it back in the day.

The album that made me fall in love with the Furs. A sound out of time, yet timeless. A fantastic album.

cool

10/10 I’ve heard a fair bit from The Psychedelic Furs before, and I’ve absolutely loved all of it I’m surprised I haven’t just gone through their entire discography yet

LOVE the opening. Very cool new romantic with lo fi production. Pretty in Pink is so beautiful!!! Bauhaus does The Mamas and The Papas?? Gets better and even slightly funkier. Loooove it. Into you like a train, slay slay slaaaaay

Great album I have missed. I don’t know why but it was not on list.

Great album with that distinctive style of psychedelic furs.

This almost reached enjoyable for me. The songs just all sounded a little too much the same for me to give it too high a rating. "Pretty in Pink" was the only song I'd heard before, so I was looking forward to it, but all the songs just reminded me of that one. Didn't hate it though, which I expected to after listening to all the other British new wave albums on this list. 3.7 stars, but only if I don't have to listen to all the songs in a row

Good solid post punk album, I enjoyed it. Judicious use of saxophone

Bit like REM. I approve.

Most post punk, whatever that means, but I haven't really heard of these guys other than the name. Much better than The The, which I just had before this. This is a rawer sound, and doesn't have the goofiness of new waves. Some really good songs on here. Dumb Waiters is a banger. Hot drums on It Goes On. There's a lot more here to like that I didn't hear on a first listen. I'll probably come back to this album, good discovery.

Solid 80s pop.

Right off the first few notes it had me interested. The trend continues through the album with interesting enough melodies. The production is a little rough, a little flat at times. I'd give this some more listens despite the saxophone. Between a 3 and 4 for me. Gonna round up.

Pretty in Pink alone makes this album shine. Super unique vocals and solid song writing. Very catchy songs with dark undertones - Dark Pop

Art rock - squawking saxophones, dense swirling arrangements, spiralling nagging guitars, mysterious lyrics, all delivered with bohemian panache

I never realised this is how the Pyschedelic Furs sounded, always assumed they’d be like Animal Collective. Only recognised Pretty in Pink, but most of this record is better I reckon. Kinda reminds me of The Cure crossed with REM. Into You Like A Train / I Wanna Sleep With You probably by two favourites. Will definitely be back to this

Liked this, it was sort of the cure/smiths indie for the most part but with a more angular punk thread running through it. The drumming stood out for some reason, the beats were more varied I think, always makes a song sound better than you'd expect. The singing was a bit English 80s droney but largely worked. All in all, good.

Quite surprising - pleasantly poppy New Wave. Into You Like A Train was good, as was It Goes On and All of This and Nothing. Some interesting choices of instruments and drum lines.

I know pretty in pink, but I couldn't have named the band. Actually really enjoyed this. Better than some of the other similar new wave acts we've had. More industrial, punk sounding. Liked the singers voice too. Highlights: Dumb waiter Pretty in pink Into you like a train It goes on So run down I'm going to say 4.5

Love the Furs, some great songs with Richard Butlers unique voice. Great album.

# Album Name: Talk Talk Talk # Artist: The Psychedelic Furs # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Another grower. Pretty in pink the absolute stand out. Great song. First listen to the album was OK. But i felt something lurking underneath. I gave it another chance and really grew to enjoy this album. The Vocals remind me of Johnny Rotten. Very english. The first 6 tracks of the album are very good if you like that alt sound. # Top Tunes: Dumb waiters / Pretty in pink / Wanna sleep with you / no tears / Mr jones / Like a train / It goes on / All of this or nothing # Would I listen to it again? Yes.

I liked this. A lot of good songs. No huge standouts, but a lot seemed familiar and enjoyable.

This album really surprised me. I had heard some other Psychadelic Furs albums that I didn’t love but this was one was great.

I like it! Its good! 4/5

I quite enjoyed the hypnotic moody edge on this but there is also a pop shine with some interesting sounds like saxes. Although the early eighties had the crossover new wave period, this feels like it belongs in the eighties. On the whole, this was reasonably enjoyable.

This was enjoyable

• This is the, percieved, 30th album of this kind. Come on. • I've warmed up to saxophones in recent years - as one should, really - but this album makes me reconsider. • On the other hand, I hear grains of what is or would become music I do like. Some kind of The Cure × The Cult × Warrior Soul's "Drugs, God and the New Republic"? I did not have a difficult time here. A Four, possibly. I don't feel enriched by having listened to this but it's not bad at all.

A simply a sucker for this sound

Into You Like A Train and Pretty in Pink are staples, but the accompanying tracks are great too.

Hey, a popular 80's album I actually enjoyed! I was expecting something insipid and empty like a lot of what made up the 80's sound but it was more substantial than I thought it would be. I'm rounding this one up because I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. 3.5/5

No conocía ninguna canción de este disco de los Furs. Todas las que ubico son del Forever now. Este me gustó y me pareció potente, pero siento que para conectar bien hay que darle varias escuchadas. No es un disco tan accesible a la primera. Pero bastante bueno, me pareció.

Very much of it's time but it's a time I love to listen to back to now. The bands that managed to stretch out their hits across multiple albums were certainly more successful but for a chart like this it's difficult to judge the best albums. I think I liked their first album as more spare and dark. This one was more upbeat

I never fully appreciated how diverse this album/band is in blending New Wave and Post-Punk influences. Some tracks lean more into punk's raw intensity, while others embrace the melodic polish of New Wave. It’s a dynamic mix of grit and gloss that gives the whole album a unique edge.

I only knew Pretty in Pink. This was better then I expected. Dumb Waiters was a stand out track for me.

Really enjoyed this. Nice blend of new-wave/post-punk and fun songs. Had never listened to this before and I liked it a lot.

De bandnaam belooft psychedelische geluiden. Dus ik bereid mij voor. Het eerste nummer voldoet daar wel aan, maar op een positieve manier. Het komt over als filmmuziek. Wellicht iets minder duidelijk, maar die associatie maak ik wel vaker op dit album. Je moet de zang dan even wegdenken. Die zang verdient ook een paar zinnen tekst trouwens. Het is wat raar namelijk. Het heeft het stemgeluid van oude punk. Maar het stemgebruik komt meer in de buurt van meer klassieke rustige rock. Per nummer varieert deze balans wat en daarmee ook mijn ervaring ervan. Wat ik er in totaal van vind, vind ik nog moeilijk. Die stem haalt mij in elk geval steeds van mijn werkt, trekt mijn aandacht naar het nummer. En vanaf daar krijgt de band het voor elkaar op mijn aandacht weer bij de stem vandaan naar de muziek te trekken. Dan moet je toch iets goed doen.

De psychedelische bontjes halen hun inspiratie duidelijk bij de Sex Pistols en Velvet Underground. Verder zitten ze redelijk met the Cure en andersoortige postpunk bands uit de 80s in dezelfde sferen. Het tweede nummer ken ik, is het bekendste nummer denk ik. Het is niet de mooiste of meest gepolijste muziek, met die krakerige verveelde zang, maar ik vind het ook ergens wel wat hebben. Doet me ook wat denken aan punkrocklegendes Social Distortion, die hebben eenzelfde soort zang. En het geeft toch gelijk een eigen gezicht aan de muziek, net zoals Morrissey ook meteen zijn eigen signature over de muziek heen drapeert. En het is een zang waar je wel wat aan moet wennen, of in ieder geval het moet je niet irriteren. Dat doet het bij mij niet en daardoor hoor ik ook de muziek die er achter zit. Die goed in elkaar zit. Het is uiteraard wat gedateerd, de drums klinken wat hol, alsof hij op een paar omgekeerde emmers aan het slaan is met een pollepel. Maar ik hou wel van dit sfeertje, galmende gitaren in een oude fabriekshal. Voor mij zit dit tussen een 3 en een 4 in. Laat ik weer eens een keer positief zijn, in deze maand der vergeetbare muziek.

Enjoyed this more that I expected.

I liked this more than I thought I would! I can see how they influenced a lot of the groups that came after them.

very catchy new wave. this guy is very horny but damn he can write a good song

This is an enjoyable album, which gets it 4 stars, but it doesn’t rise much above the other 80’s new wave albums from the UK.

Un rock de principios de los 80 que anda muy bien

A new one for me that I quite enjoyed. Will listen again

I liked this quite a lot!

I thought this one was cool! I really liked She Is Mine, wasn't expecting to hear a saxophone in that one. Reminded me very much of Green Day

I like this more than I expected to. Nice late UK punk sound with a poppy new wave influence. There's a few down-tempo Joy Division-esque tunes on here, but when it rocks is when it's really on.

First few tracks are solid but not grabbing me. I'm liking Dumb Waiters and She Is Mine though, which lean more new wave than (post) punk. Lots of layering of sounds here, like in the strong It Goes On. Surprisingly good hard driving riffs later on (ex: the intro to I Wanna Sleep With You). The closer All of This and Nothing is catchy too. Very cool 80s rock vibes. Strong album overall even if some of the tracks are less memorable.

Good early 80’s album with pretty in pjnk

The biggest knock on this album is that the sound doesn’t change too much throughout. Luckily I like that sound. Pretty in Pink is the obvious standout but I also really liked She is Mine.

Love the Furs. Not best album but still good!

Great post punk

man gillar ju psychedelic furs. detta är kanske inte deras bästa album men jävligt bra.

This is a tricky one to rate, because there's quite a lot of post-punk angriness that I quite like, but also a lot of noisy thrash that I don't. I think I'm going to have to accept that it's probably better than I first give it credit for.

Into You Like a Train and Pretty in Pink both work real good for me. I do love the vibe of all of this and carries all the way through. Not an all timer for me but a strong piece of work.