Talk Talk Talk

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

cool

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.

Immediate album with hooks and musical flourishes. First half of the album is very strong. This is a better Roxy music, and shades of REM and Bowie. Really nice surprise.

I have a strange relationship with the Psychedelic Furs. I truly love much of their music and equally find some of it "meh." So an album listen is hot and cold for me. Always felt that way even with some close friends that shared much similar music tastes to mine putting the Furs on their top tiers. My thoughts do not detract from the fact that the Psychedelic Furs are a canon iconic new wave/ alt rock band that helped define the genre. They ARE that good! In closing, they have, including on this album, some of my all time favorite songs and are not even close to one hit wonders or anything like that. But to get my ultimate praise would require a bit more of their entire catalog to vault them to godlike status that some of my friends do.

All I knew of the band coming in was the song Pretty in Pink which I first heard in the movie which took its name from the song and although I always quite liked it, I never thought to seek out any more from the band. And so I'm glad to round out my knowledge a little more with an album that's a lovely blast of post-punk and new-wave whose underbelly has the hallmarks of Joy Division's melancholic despair, but on the surface it's the romanticism of The Cure and a little of the art-school cool of Bowie.

I love the sax on Dumb Waiters, well really everywhere. It really makes this album stand out from other New Wave albums on here. All in all I liked it. Favorite tracks: Pretty In Pink, Dumb Waiters, & She Is Mine.

Great album that straddles a bunch of genres without firmly belonging to any one.

Fine album, though it feels inessential, a surprise inclusion on this list.

It's one of those weird situations where everything The Psychedelic Furs does is amazing and cool and is somehow three different genres of music all at the same time, but Richard Butler's voice just feels so out of place and almost comical at times. But his voice is also one of the defining features of the band's sound. I can't bring myself to give this a full 5 because of this weird clash, but it's still so iconic I have to give it a 4 (really, a 4.5 would be better).

My 80s ish shit

Good nostalgia

Engelsk tidlig 80-tall. Delvis veldig bra, men dog litt svak 4

I like the way that, w these guys, drum line is almost always its own riff that structures the song. Makes these songs work both on a melodic level and as grooves in their own right. The guys voice is distinctive and unusual without being 'too much' also. Same goes for the reverb and flange on the guitars. Not sure if this is an essential album to an American sensibility but I really liked it. One more hit and I woulda gone 5.

Edgy, but approachable and bright? Interesting to see Lillywhite on this I really liked Pretty In Pink, Mr Jones

Buen disco, buena musica, un post punk británico, con muy buen ritmo

Another first listen! I’ve really only been familiar with this band through their singles. This album has one of their best ones (Pretty in Pink) but I was nicely surprised to find some other gems deeper into the track list. I’m not sure if this would rank highly for me among the similar albums of the era, but I found it solid. Standout moment: Into You Like a Train is the deeper album cut that hit for me. Great chorus and melody that gels well with Richard Butler’s inimitable voice.

Enjoyed this album. Appreciate the vocals especially. Solid 7/10.

Possibly the first British band I’ve liked, but I can’t define why….i need to be better :( this band encourages me not to though :)

Nice album.

love the jangle guitar, im sure the smiths liked these guys. cool like the cure, but maybe less talked about. big songs that have nerve. horn outta nowhere. really had a good time with these british dudes. it has early shoe gaze vibes and it knows how to rock. felt experimental and straight forward.

I like this more than I admit.

Very average.

Not my bag, but I have to applaud them for being different.

thats a very charming album, similar to the cure id say, but a little more hypnotic

Another band I should be much more familiar with. Nice one.

Didn't have high hopes as I judged by the name of the band. But I liked this, it was bop esque, chill lyrics and a good time

Great album!

fun

En su camino hacia la obra maestra que para mí es “Mirror Moves”, The Psychedelic Furs nos dejaron este álbum, que ya contenía uno de sus mayores éxitos “Pretty In Pink”. Richard Butler le dio a la banda un toque personal e intransferible en pleno auge de la new wave pero manteniendo unos presupuestos post punk que elevaban su espíritu indie. Butler es un pedazo de compositor, como lo demuestra el single antes mencionado, pero no nos olvidemos de “It Goes on” o “Dumb Waiters”. Una banda que merece más reconocimiento.

Solid stuff.

I’m very tired of new wave at this point in the albums journey, but I think I rather enjoyed this.

The best Furs era before teeny bop MTV

I wanted to go with a 3 all day. But when I finished the last few songs and heard She is Mine it teetered into a 4. It’s ’why do we bother’ or ‘how does any of this matter?’ vibe and the small details of living … I really enjoyed it. Dumb Waiters is the highlight and I like this a lot more than later era Furs.

very interesting start.. i kinda like how theres alotta false notes pip - good iwswy - very good no tears - good sry 4 lack of commentary im fucking tired mr jones - ive heard this b4 very nice album

Gold!

Sorpresas que gustan mucho, la verdad que buen álbum, muy de mi gusto y quedo contento con este descubrimiento. Aunque es posible que no agregue ninguna canción a mi lista voy a tener muy presente esto.

decent

I could listen to this again. I probably will.

Great sound, Pretty in Pink is a great track. Worth another listen

I like this. Yes, it does sound a bit samey but in a good way. I can hear that they have influenced others (hello Idlewild). Also, why did I think for years that they were American?

Not bad

It's pretty good. For some moments, it reminded me of REM or The Replacements. I particularly enjoyed Pretty in Pink, No tears, It goes on (really loved the guitar work on this one), All of This and Nothing... Many people seem to have issues with the saxophone. Not me. This is 3,5 stars for me.

I don't think you guys are listening hard enough

I can remember seeing The Psychedelic Furs supporting Iggy Pop at the Edinburgh Odeon (this would have been in 1980, after checking edinburghgigarchive.com), possibly with a second support act. I was there to see Iggy rather than the support, but I thought they were OK. I never really listened to the Furs much at the time. This album is OK. I suppose it's the pop end of post-punk. It's better than OK.

Лучшая песня: All of this and nothing Худшая: In to you like a train Нормальный пост-панк. Пара песен очень понравилась, остальное - норм

приятно, как и ожидал, но большая часть песен слились в одну, потому больше 4 не поставлю

Альбом в целом понравился, сразу понятно, чьей манерой исполнения вдохновлялся Interpol. Но соглашусь с предыдущими ораторами, после того, как первые треки раскачали, дальше альбом слился в одну большую песню.

Dope

I dug this, would definitely listen again. Wouldn’t mind less saxophone though

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this record. The songs are catchy and although the singing sounds like dozens of other britpop bands of the same era, it's still enjoyable.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Psychedelic Furs. Really enjoyed this album.

Æ huske cirka ingenting, anna enn en vag idé om kordan det hørtes ut og at det ikke va så interessant, men heller ikke direkte ulikbart, så akkurat passe ok?

Never heard before. Wasn’t disappointed.

I've always liked this band. Unique sound with drums, guitar, saxophone and Richard Butler's voice. Songs are very similar to each other though.

I can't quite explain but I've had a soft spot for this from the start even though it's not stellar. There's something that makes me want to go back to it...

Very fun time here. Very very fun. A little punky Very new wavey. Just a damn good time. It didnt change my perspective on life and the meaning of it all but it made that 40 minutes enjoyable. And what else can you ask for? Got a ton of saves and ill be happy when they come up shuffling. Good time and you should have it too

Never heard of them but this was a very satisfying listen. I liked his somewhat subdued vocals

Just as I remembered it.

idkkkkkkkkkk

Good

Niezłe. 4

Not their best record, but still a very good one. Happy to find it here!

I always end up immersed in The Psychedelic Furs songwriting and their way of delivering it. A atmospheric, light but rich, post-punk that hits the right spot. Great stuff!

Good!! enjoyed it a lot

Such a cool band with such a cool sound. Pretty In Pink, cmonnnn. Great stuff.

i had this on cassette tape

Decent post-punk/new wave from the 80s! Enjoyed the listen while walking around the Canal St Martin in Paris

I enjoyed this one. It had some solid music compositions and interesting vocals that reminded me a bit of Bowie at times. Also liked how they pulled in some non-rock instruments to add more to the mix. The songs themselves were mostly good listens even if I didn't love them all. Biggest issue I had was that there wasn't a lot of diversity in the songs. All kinda sounded a bit the same due to the style. Also, nothing really stood out as amazing. It was just pretty good. Overall: 3.7/5

#275/1001. The flock of seagulls and bands emerging from the U.K after punk broke and choked is astonishing. They all seem to find their place, some more experimental, some more dark, some more popular, some more electronic etc. I knew only few songs from them before - probably from movie aoundtracks. They do sound interesting enough to scout their discoraphy a bit, but no interesting enough to spend a fortune buying their albums. So somewhere in the middle of 2 and four I think, and since I truly think 80s was the greatest decade in music, I'll round this up.

Top Songs: Pretty in Pink No Tears She Is Mine

Fell asleep for half of it in the car. Pretty banger tho 7.5/10

This is a really fun album. I know Pretty in Pink, but not much else from this album. Something I would come back to for sure. 4/5

I knew Pretty in Pink, but that was it. I liked it quite a bit. I relistened to it and it was still good, so yay. 3.75/5

Had their sound from the start.

By turns discordant and downright poppy. It's a puzzle of a record. Pay particular attention to the way that the guitars in the background seem, at times, to be out of tune with each other and the (synth?) horn hooks. The effect can be a maelstrom (I did not enjoy 'Dumb Waiters') or a slight edge of ominousness in an otherwise straightforward tune (listen to the backing playing in the chorus of 'Pretty In Pink' -- it's eerie; it's tense). 'It Goes On' and 'So Run Down' are memorable and enjoyable, though. Overall, this is a good record to understand what people mean by post-punk. It has elements of punk rock (subject matter, vocal delivery) but is much more elaborate, both in terms of instrumentation (though X-Ray Spex did have a sax player and 90's skater ska had horns aplenty) and also in the compositional choices. There are too many chords to be punk in 1981. Overall, it's a smart and well-built album. I only enjoy it in parts but I think that's a matter of taste -- I'll remember that I don't love the Furs but also that they're talented. They also seem to be of a piece with The Cure and Joy Division, which solidifies their place in this project. 4/5 -- worth listening just to see if you like it or not.

Pretty in Pink is the iconic song here. The rest of the album sounds similar, just not as known as the opener. Love the vocals and the sound. wavering between a 3 and a 4 here.

Solid all the way through.

A band I very much enjoyed back in the 80’s. I haven’t listened to most of their albums, in their case preferring the greatest hits album All of This and Nothing. I also saw them live back in 2018 or so, and Richard Butler’s voice was still quite impressive. I mostly liked this album. Pretty in Pink, AOTAN, and She is Mine were the standouts, but there's were a couple of songs that didn’t do much for me. I think if there are a couple of later Furs albums on the list I’ll enjoy them more. It’s a 3.5 that will likely bump up to 4.

I did like this album. Kinda reminds me of bands like The Cure and Duran Duran

Post-punk, new wave.

Really good album had some bangers that I added to my playlist. I have no complaints

It kind of rocks.

I was okay with poppy psychedelic furs but the first record which is far darker and more post punk is a better record. Still, while the singles, Pretty in Pink and Dumb Waiters, sanded the rough edges off Richard Butlers gravelly vocals, they are still passably good tracks that still hold up despite the production which removes some of the dynamics from the tracks when compared with their live versions from this period. I saw them 2x - once in a small club shortly after the self titled debut where Sister Europe and India ruled college radio and a second time in a significantly larger theater shortly after this record was released. Live they were engaging and energetic and reminiscent of Siouxsie and The Banshees. There are some gems to be found on this record. Richard is at his best when the song pulses in for example Mr.Jones and Into You Like A Train. The hook in Into You Like A Train is subtle and Richard’s vocal propels the chorus to carry the motorik beat like a train to the end of the song. All of This and Nothing loses the plot a bit coming off like an INXS outtake. She is Mine is a variation of Into You Like A Train and Pretty in Pink mashed together. It’s noticeably but not obnoxiously so. So, other than that one outlier (All This and Nothing) this is a pretty strong outing. 4/5

isn't she pretty in pink

Such an unexpected album, I'm always really partial to genre bending albums, but I love how this one mixes rock, jazz, punk and and I can't believe I'm actually using this as a compliment, shoegaze. Never heard anything like this before. It's got the edge of the Sex Pistols or Pearl Jam but incorporates so much more in the musicality and production. The only real knock is that this album finds its lane pretty quick and doesn't get out of it. Even if they are the only one swimming in it, I still would have liked to have heard a bit more experimentation within the very unique genre they're cornering.

Enjoyable with one classic track but not as good as Forever Now.

pretty in pink 1981 united kingdom post punk

Given a lot of the comments about this album I expected it to be pretty bad, however this was genuinely great; a pleasant surprise.

This is the kind of mid-80s rock vibe that I really like!

Really liked this. Have a feeling it will stay in the rotation!

If it takes Stranger Things to get my daughter into Psychedelic Furs, I’m not gonna complain. Good album. Good band.

Honestly better than i was expecting - it's very clear where this fits in the history of music, as you can clearly hear their influences as well as all the bands that they will eventually inspire after them! While Pretty in Pink is obviously the best known of them, I'm a fan of Dumb Waiters and Mr Jones personally - probably going to come back to this one when i need some decent background music :)

classic

I’m running late and ended up listening to this album two days after the fact. Gio’s review pushed me to actually take the time to sit with it. Despite the ambient chaos at home, the very first notes of the intro immediately caught my attention. The album really keeps a punk vibe throughout, probably thanks to the vocals, the garage sound, and a rhythm section that stays pretty fast most of the time. In the end, I think it’s a very solid post-punk record, genuinely enjoyable as a whole. Raw and fairly rich. A really nice surprise for an album from that period.

So many classic tunes on this one. "Dumb Waiters", "Into You Like A Train", "Mr. Jones", and of course "Pretty In Pink". An all-around fantastic album.

Ok, another misjudgment by me. I mean, it’s only 1 song but for some reason I thought these guys were going to sound like pussies and be cheesy 80’s music. There’s glimpses of punk and pop. There’s Bowie in there as well. Ok, I’m a fan. I hope they didn’t change their sound that much from this album. I could be happy with this sound album to album. No song sticks out to me but they all are good in their own right.

I thought this was pretty cool. Not fantastic, but I'm giving it an optimistic 4 star rating just because this week we've had a bunch of british synth pop from this same era and it's all SUCKED but this wasn't bad. I'm almost ready to declare this the greatest early-80's synthy pop/rock record of all time haha

I've always enjoyed how "Pretty in Pink" is really pretty in the verses and a bit grimy and ugly in the choruses where he actually sings "pretty in pink, isn't she?" Hmmm maybe that means something! - Anyways. I was surprised at how strong the other songs were. That run from "Mr. Jones" to "All of this and nothing" is GREAT. The drummer in particular is just killing it. I'm sure a lot of people aren't going to dig this because it sounds the way a dumpster looks, and the singer is so gravelly and British. But I dig it. FOUR STARS

I'm starting to wonder if the late 70s & early 80s was my ideal musical era and I was born twenty years too late. Saxophone Punk(TM) makes me lose my mind every time I hear it (even if X-Ray Spex did it better). At some point I’ll need to start complaining about the volume of post-punk and new wave albums on this list, but not today. This album probably isn't required listening unless you're a genre fan. Spotify defaults to the original UK track listing which stacks "Dumb Waiters" and "Pretty In Pink" right up front. The result is an album which, unfortunately, starts to sound pretty same-y through the middle, and then ends with a mellow double-whammy of "All Of This And Nothing" and "She Is Mine". The US order makes for a slightly more engaging listening experience and I'd recommend that - it's the version that starts with "Pretty In Pink". While we're taking about it, "Pretty In Pink" became the most notable track from this album because there was a John Hughes movie named after it and (a re-recorded version) was featured on the soundtrack. Listening to it today, I'm struck by how much the vocals sounds like something that could have come out of a band like Orgy or Deadsy in the early 00s.

the perfect album to make you feel like a main character in an 80s movie...MOLLY RINGWALD I GET YOU....

De eerste track is wat dissonant, om niet te zeggen vals en daardoor dacht ik de eerste minuut even iets alsin 'ohjee daar gaan we weer', maar ik moet zeggen dat hetme daarna eigenlijk best wel meeviel. Het is wat vergeetbaar natuurlijk, maar het is best wel catchy allemaal. Het klinkt een beetje fabriekshal-kil, maar tegelijkertijd zit er iets vrolijks of optimistisch in de muziek verstopt. Ik krijg er geen actieve slechte zin van, ik kan het goed aanhoren en ik durf zelfs zo ver te gaan om te zeggen dat het me wat plezier oplevert. Ik heb dan deze keer ook geen last van het stukje 80's wat toch wel hoorbaar is, of de zanger die je misschien vervelend zou kunnen vinden. Ik vind 4 sterren eigenlijk net wat te hoog, maar als ik dit tegenover die Stooges zet waar ik net vanaf kom dan kan ik het best verantwoorden. Laten we het erop houden dat ik de score gunstig heb afgerond. Een leuk album om eens gehoord te hebben.

I love this band. I often think this is what Joy Division may have become although I really doubt they’d have used a saxophone ever.

Album #969 I only knew one song from this band, Pretty in Pink. Album is more rock and less new wave than I expected. Not bad. Singer is kind of flat though.

Really solid post-punk effort, with a few psychedelic leanings thrown in. The saxophone on a couple of tracks was an extra nice touch!

The Furs are a bit better than a lot of the drek that came out around the same time. Decent musicians and an interesting singer elevated it above the hundreds of "Hey! My mom bought me a keyboard" bands. I've always liked Richard Butler's voice. Kind of languid, jaded, filled with ennui. Earnest too, though. It might be a bit same-y throughout though. I think their best in small doses, 2-3 songs in a mix is good. I like this "Pretty in Pink" more then the one on that soundtrack. This is more of a band thing while the other leans more on the keyboards. The last 2 tracks are hype. I'd say this is about a 3.7 album, but I'm going all the way up to a 4 this time.

Intro song is so badass. That lead melody is so weird and angular but so fetch. The outro of the tracks is bonkers and I love it. I seriously think I haven't heard 'Pretty in Pink' before. The chorus is proto-Preoccupations as shit holy. I can tell that a bunch of the jangly post-punk I'm drawn to is inspired by Psychadelic Furs. OK half-way through and I feel dumb for not knowing this band better. This is the archetype of anything post-punk I like. 'Into You Like a Train' is so driving, so relentless. Gah this is really good. Also can see ArcFire being super influenced by this stuff too, especially at their most post-punky. All of This and Nothing is so wild - the acoustic intro that fades out then the band comes in. End of the song the band fades out and we're back with the acoustic, which fades out. Three fade-outs in one track?? Or am I fried. This album is making me rehash my age old mantra, "i wanna be in a post-punk band so f bad'. This might send me on a real journey through post-punk history in a way I never have before. Favs: Into You Like a Train, Pretty in Pink, No Tears

This came out of the gate swinging and I was like, "hey this shit sucks." but it grew on me. The songs are too long, but longer than too long so they swing back into a kind of sensible repetition. Richard Butler sounds like he has marbles in his mouth, but it's not like he's Mark E. Smith. Much like each song, the album grows and actually, this is pretty good! One thing I felt listening to it was how much it's been ripped off by...a lot of people, so it feels kind of like I've heard it before, and probably better, but, still, 1981! Sidenote, I thought Into You Like a Train was a Blake Schwarzenbach original and I'm stunned to see that it's not, but having listened to this album it makes perfect sense.

I like the vibe.

Ágætis póstpönk. Þó ekki meðal þess besta í því frábæra genre.

I love a bit of the ol’ noise drenched pop

Album No. 0050 on my list. To be honest, I've never heard of The Psycheldic Furs before, but I did enjoy the album! I'm always having mixed feelings about the whole post-punk genre; some albums and artists belong to my all-time favorites, some I really don't like. The Psycheldic Furs seem to fall into the former category for me. The album combines a great sound and solid production with decent lyrics and a cool groove. I like the singing, I like the vibe, I like the style. "Pretty in Pink", "I Wanna Sleep With You", and "She Is Mine" are my favorites, but there are other good songs on this as well. 4/5 stars - well deserved!

A typical blend of 80s Post-Punk and New Wave, it's great. 8/10 Although this being on here does make me wonder why "The Head on the Door" isn't on the list.

Very interesting, some very catchy tunes, but also very emotive and raw, the lead singer has quite a distinctive voice, which I think helps things not get too bland. I really like some of the surreal lyrics, which I think a few people around this time were doing, like Echo and the Bunnymen/Teardrop explodes. Some of the songs are quite jangly, which obviously really works, and some are more crunchy aggressive, which also does. I love the wah stuff, which I wonder if is Stooges inspired (as I think the stooges have been called 'The Psychedelic Stooges'. There's also some really subtle synth (or maybe guitar with lots of effects), and brass bits, like on into you like a train. Quite a lot of them are quite simple though. Favourite songs: all but so run down. Overall around 7/10

New to me and I like it!

I'm learning from this project how much I like new wave, post punk, and similar genres of the 1980s. This is a perfectly middle of the road example, not a whole lot that particularly stands out, but still a very listenable album with it's own signature sound. Not very psychedelic though.

This was a nice surprise, particularly after reading a lot of upvoted 'blah' reviews. It's got a really good energy across the album, but the music in general really brings it up a notch for me. Despite what those reviews say, I think they've got quite a unique sound and style. I like the use of sax and instrumentation in general, and there's some great rhythms. Mr. Jones is the standout track for me, although there's plenty of others I really enjoyed and tapped along to happily. 3.5 rounded up.

Really wish I could 3.5, but leaning 4. Both Dumb Waiters and All of This and Nothing were very groovy and stood out to me. She is Mine made me realize I was getting Morrissey/the Smiths vibes the whole time but without also being kind of annoyed. Going to go with a 4 because the two tracks I listed were great and made the album feel alive. I never heard of this band but I’ve got my eye on them now.

Gotta love a second solid 80s album this week. Reminded me of The Smiths a little bit, just not as depressed. Added a few songs to my library and will come back to them again without a doubt.

The first song gave me shades of Johnny Rotten so I was bracing myself for enjoying only the big single everyone knows from this album. Instead, I found myself surprised by how many songs I enjoyed (No Tears, It Goes On, She is Mine.) Might be a case of low expectations being so over-exceeded for what I thought was a one-hit-wonder type situation, but shocked to enjoy this as much as I did.

Pretty In Pink may be a garbage movie but this album was pretty good.

Väldigt jämnt album, vill typ lyssna på hela flera gånger för att uppskatta det då inte så många låtar sticker ut. Men albumet flög förbi, alla låtar är välskrivna, snygg sax. I like it!

4/5

Grew up with Post-Punk and this is really nice. I like the wavy influences. Fav: Dumb waiters

Enjoyed this one

Familiar with Pretty in Pink. Melodic use of percussion and guitar, partnered with complex saxophone in a very 70s nostalgia tone

Exceptional new wave album

Brighter and poppier side TPF underground rock edge. New Wave post-punk with outstanding single Pretty in Pink.

fun album. kinda psych-y (i would hope, based on the band name), kinda punk-y, kinda new wave-y. the highlight for me was 'pretty in pink' but i did enjoy the rest and think i will come back to this one in the future.

This was a very fun album. Right away, I was endeared by Richard Butler's vocals, but the rest of the album held its own, too. There was a refined sound throughout, even though the music itself was super varied and dynamic. The lyrics weren't revolutionary, but they were clever and loose. They worked well with the music and fit the overall theme of the album. This was one of those albums that probably could've been a mess if they hadn't put so much care into it. That care made this an enjoyable listen the whole way through.

that old good british new wave

The best parts of hair metal without the excess come together to make a solid album. I can see why this would have been influential.

Fun New Wave album.

Day610 - it’s kinda crazy psychedelic furs weren’t a bigger band when i was growing up. pretty in pink is an all time favorite

Pretty great actually. I was really skeptical going into this album but I was won over by the blend of synth-pop and a rawer rock sound.

I HATE this kind of thing. What's the actual album? At least they contain all the same songs this time. I listened to the US version, because that was the version available. I think starting with Pretty In Pink is the monied choice, but Dumb Waiters is a more honest introduction to this album. Either way, it's an unusual mix of sounds that works when it does. It's playing with the standard rock format without diving into noise-. I think She Is Mine is my favorite right now, and not only because I love a good sax solo. It's lyrically engaging as well. I might rounding up, but I like it, and want to hear more from this artist. There's something in here that I really like, and I hope they hit that on another album.

Isn't she pretty in pink

This is one of those bands I’ve known about for as long as I can remember, but all I ever knew were their hits. About six months ago, I finally listened to this album for the first time and really enjoyed it. I completely forgot about it until recently when I saw it on my list and decided to give it another listen, and I think I enjoy it even more this time around. I have a total weakness for those jangly guitars, and the way they blend the catchiness of new wave with a post-punk foundation really hits the spot. The music has a colorful, raw edge to it, but the production is polished and clean in a way that complements the feel of the music perfectly.

Without the sax and synth this would have been crap.

Rocks harder than their singles. Pleasantly surprised.

I made the mistake of telling my son about Music Boners but he said that was too crass. So I changed it to Music Errection, but that was still too crass. So I settled of Music Attraction. Or what it is that attracts you to a certain thing that just turns you on Musically. This album gave me a Full On Chub. While a handful of songs just sound like Brit punk, the rest you can hear the groundwork of early alternative music.

Very good album. Favorite tracks are Pretty in Pink, It Goes On, Into You Like a Train, and So Run Down.

3.5/5

Endnu en af de new wave plader der tydeligt kommer fra en punk tradition, havde aldrig hørt om det før men synes det var en super fed plade

Some interesting songs. Singers sound very British. Low 4.

DAMN this was one of the best week's I've ever had doing this project. The Furs are like a new-wave Led Zeppelin with a twisted sax that comes in the room every once in a while to wake everyone up.Owes a lot to Bowie, like most new wave, but they really take that off-kilter glam in a different heavier direction. The Steve Lillywhite production is a good match for the Furs slightly dissonant loping guitar/drums/bass surge: the dry beefy production, drums forward, favoring the low end; sprinkled with bits of high pitched punctuation from the guitar, keyboard, and sax... a lot of tension/resolution. It's a BIG sound. Richard Butler's voice ties it all up neatly, confidently. One of my favorite bands, much nostalgia bias here for me. Great to see Psychedelic Furs on the list.

The Psychedelic Furs begin their slow ascent towards 80s immortality with Talk Talk Talk (not to be confused with Talk Talk, the band) as they wield new wave and power pop prowess and limitless potential throughout. The craft that is apparent here carries on with its infectious energy and Talk Talk Talk becomes worthy of a repeat listen as time goes on. Favorites: Dumb Waiters, Pretty in Pink, I Wanna Sleep With You, Into You Like a Train, Mr. Jones, It Goes On, All of This and Nothing.

3.5

4.3

good album

Enjoyable listen.

Pretty thrilling Post Punk, I think the first 2 tracks are the strongest, and the rest all feature a driving drum beat which could be seen as a bit samey, but honestly I really enjoyed it. Would definitely revisit. 4 Stars.

Not the kind of music I like to listen to so was extremely hard to listen to.

Really enjoyed this one. Never heard of them but will definitely listen again

Fajn

This album's pretty good. Some interesting beats and the singer sounds perpetually drunk after chain smoking. Some bangers and some I totally forgot about as soon as they ended. But more bangers than that so it squeezes a 4. I like the bass solo

Listened to before: No I love the energy of this album, which sounds pretty unique to me. From second one on it is an exciting ride on a powerfull wall of sound. For me, more songs could have gotten an individual spin. Also sometimes it is a little bit too muscular/rock-n-rolly, if that makes sense. Still, I enjoyed listening a lot

I think I like their debut more but still pretty solid. I like but don't love most of the tracks. Rating: 4.0

Iconic and distinctive voice— moody and gothic rhythms. I realize that I’m using some of the same adjectives as I use for the Cure. I think the Cure are better, but this is really cool

++: Pretty in Pink, I Wanna Sleep with You, Mr. Jones, Into You Like a Train, It Goes On, So Run Down +: Dumb Waiters, No Tears, All of This and Nothing, She Is Mine 7,9/10

Great stuff. Massive deduction for singers voice tho.

Didn’t know what to expect from this one but it was a lot stranger than I had anticipated. Real fun art rock, very 80s sounding but not in a bad way. Yeah, enjoyed this a great deal.

A band I have always meant to dig into. Need to dig ear the page in the book to ensure it happens one day. Very enjoyable.

Fred Armisen on whichever talk show doing a skit about the nuances of specific time-periods and genres in music: "You know punk in the 70s was all like "oi oi oi" and then we get to the 1980s new-wave and post-punk and then it was all like [does exact impression of this album]."

Had not listened to this entire album, just have heard Pretty in Pink. I acutally like this original version of that song rather than the one used in the movie soundtrack. This is more raw. Overall, I liked the album and am still a big fan of Psychedelic Furs music. Mirror Moves may be a better album though. Check it out. 3.5/5 = 4 stars

I got to know them around 1990, when they weren't very good anymore. It didn't make me want to check out their back catalogue. This is actually pretty good. It reminds me of late 80s skateboarding videos. Favorite song: into you like a train

kind of part devo-esque highly unsentimental borderline deconstructive take on rock music as a Cultural Idiom, and part a fuzzy lush escapist landscape. into you like a train made me emotional for reasons i cant even understand, and if its the best song its got like three or four other competitors im p sure. theres something at the core of this emotionally that is deliberately undiagnosed but still felt and poured over the whole thing...v strange experience, equal parts jagged and silky, with a ton of great songs with great Sounds and vocal performances and little melodic pockets that are just Held Onto

Nice vibe, like the vocals a lot

finally some good food

Their radio hit was the least interesting of their album. I was very surprised

Wow! The Smiths meets Beastie Boys.

An album given so much of its character by Richard Butler's distinctive vocal. Not quite sneering, not quite in tune, not quite arrogant. It's instantly recognisable and stamps every track. 'Pretty in Pink' aside, 'No Tears' is the cream of the crop. A showcase for many of the 80s sounds that speak to me - some Bowie-influenced sax touches; a verse that surely was to inspire Morrissey; and a guitar-line worthy of Marr. An album that carves a fantastic path between post-punk and new wave and bringing in their predecessors, with sax, some glam guitar, some jangling guitar. Some rock bangers and some impeccable melancholic melodies; all delivered via the nearly out of tune sing-speak of Butler. In amongst it some distinctly average tracks in a mid album lull. Falls just short of top marks.

Pretty In Pink

This is a great album, yet another 'I haven't listened to it in years' album. It's a bit post punk/goth so I'm bound to like it. Amazingly enough it was produced by Steve Lillywhite who is renowned for his polish and sparkle. None of that here thank goodness. A dark fuzzy mess is the best thing I can say about it.

81/100. A strange but ultimately rewarding album. While I didn’t fully enjoy it during the first listen, with the singing coming off as a bit annoying and the instrumentation feeling underwhelming. It grew on me the more I reflected on it afterward. Over time, its raw charm and iconic punk energy became much more apparent.

3.5 stars. Rhythmic and fun upbeat New Wave/Post Punk. Standout is "All of This and Nothing".

The opening song was interesting to me. The saxes reminded me of Van Der Graaf Generator. The vocals felt more and more like the singer had left, and they got a person last minute. There's no smooth in his voice at all. Even with that, I enjoyed a lot of the pieces on this album, and some fo they lyrics were pretty good ("Into You Like A Train," "All Of This And Nothing"). As a fan of early punk, Psychedelic Furs has been a band I have been meaning to listen to more of. This album reminded me of all that. It's probably a 3.6 for me, rounding up to a 4. Top tracks: "Dumb Waiters", "Pretty in Pink", "Into You Like a Train", "All of This and Nothing"

Good sound, albeit a bit generic. Overall enjoyable instrumentals, though vocal work got a bit annoying at times. 'Into You Like a Train' was my fave.

Really enjoyable.

Peak mid

Yeah these guys are pretty much the best brit pop band, besides that one Blur album.

I'm a fan of The Psychedelic Furs, and Talk Talk Talk has always been my favorite album of theirs. It’s a solid blend of pop with a touch of post-punk and new wave — a combination that really works. Favorite Songs: Pretty in Pink is a standout, and So Run Down and Into You Like a Train are also fantastic. Least Favorite: Honestly, there isn’t a weak track here. It’s a consistently strong album that absolutely deserves its place on this list. Album Artwork: The cover is cool, though it feels very much of its time — a lot of 80s bands seemed to have similar aesthetic choices and a surprising number of album titles with talk in them!

Dobar album pretty in pink je klasik ali pisme su fakat preslične

This is a really good album from The Furs. For a reason that I can't really explain I bought the first Furs album back in the day, loved it, but never bought another - definitely not fair to this excellent band. Talk Talk Talk lacks some of the immediacy and raw energy of the self titled first album. Its a little slicker a little cleaner and a little less grungy...but I miss the grunginess of the first album. Still a really accomplished album that shows Richard Butler's songwriting is starting to evolve. 4 stars

Yeah it's the 80's!!

An underrated album that has some great songs on it, even if the source material has not aged nearly as well.

Mix of post-punk and new wave in such a fun way. The cover is really striking too. It definitely feels 80s but that doesn't detract from it.

Quite nice. For me a first listening but convinced me.

very very very solid 80s jams

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.

Enjoyed this and will go back to it, especially Dumb Waiters and Pretty in Pink. A real sense of the 80s.

This is great. Why didn't I listen to this back then? Oh yeah, my weird life led me astray from the life of music. 4 stars

À la fois rébarbatif, antipathique (dans la voix) et fascinant, entraînant, joyeux. Un drôle d'équilibre, qui fonctionne.

**Album Review: *Talk Talk Talk* by The Psychedelic Furs** Released in 1981, *Talk Talk Talk* is The Psychedelic Furs' second studio album, marking a turning point for the band as they began to shape their distinctive post-punk sound. This album not only solidified their presence in the new wave and post-punk scenes but also pushed the boundaries of these genres with a blend of introspective lyrics, atmospheric music, and engaging production techniques. Below is a breakdown of the album's strengths and weaknesses, focusing on its lyrics, music, production, overarching themes, and its lasting influence. ### 1. **Lyrics** The lyricism of *Talk Talk Talk* is undoubtedly one of the album's defining features. Richard Butler, the band's frontman and lyricist, has a distinctive vocal delivery that often feels raw, sardonic, and detached. Yet, behind this seemingly disaffected persona lies deep emotional complexity. His lyrics are layered with cynicism, alienation, and existential pondering, touching on themes of identity, disillusionment, and societal critique. Tracks like “Dumb Waiters” and “Pretty in Pink” showcase Butler’s ability to fuse abstract metaphors with emotionally resonant storytelling. In "Pretty in Pink," for instance, the titular character becomes a symbol of superficiality and misperception, a theme Butler explores through vivid, somewhat melancholic imagery. This song would later become immortalized by the 1986 John Hughes film of the same name, though Butler expressed dissatisfaction with the way the song’s meaning was altered for the movie. In the original version, the character represents a deeper sense of isolation and the superficial ways society often views and values individuals. Another standout, “Into You Like a Train,” is full of metaphorical punch and uses a mix of aggression and romance, reflecting an ambivalence toward love and relationships that pervades much of the album. While love and desire are often central themes, they are rarely depicted in idealized terms. Instead, relationships are portrayed as messy, self-destructive, and fraught with misunderstanding. **Pros**: The lyrics are sharp, vivid, and often poetic, avoiding clichés and instead offering a darker, more realistic look at human interaction and emotion. The sense of alienation speaks to the post-punk ethos and resonates strongly with listeners who appreciate lyrical depth. **Cons**: Some may find the lyricism difficult to penetrate on first listen, as Butler’s abstract style can come off as cryptic or esoteric, potentially alienating casual listeners. ### 2. **Music** Musically, *Talk Talk Talk* represents the Furs at their most creative and experimental, blending the driving rhythms of punk rock with the sonic textures of new wave and the introspective moodiness of post-punk. The album leans heavily on jangling guitars, thick bass lines, and lush saxophone arrangements that give it a unique and memorable character. The opening track, "Dumb Waiters," exemplifies the band's ability to blend punk energy with avant-garde structures. The song’s relentless bass line and jagged guitars create a sense of urgency and anxiety, while the horn section injects a sense of theatricality that would become a signature of the Furs’ sound. This combination of abrasive rock elements with more melodic and atmospheric instrumentation set them apart from their contemporaries. “Pretty in Pink,” arguably the album's most recognizable track, is another musical highlight, blending catchy melodies with a bittersweet undercurrent. The song's balance of upbeat rhythm and melancholic tone captures the album’s essence—bright on the surface, but brooding underneath. Its riff-heavy structure paired with saxophone flourishes and a bouncy bass line creates an irresistible groove that feels timeless. Tracks like “No Tears” and “She Is Mine” showcase the band's ability to incorporate space and dynamics into their sound. These songs are slower, more contemplative, and feature a heavier reliance on atmosphere. The shimmering guitars, steady drumbeats, and haunting melodies evoke a deep sense of melancholy and introspection, contrasting with the more energetic moments on the record. **Pros**: The music is a compelling blend of punk aggression, new wave melodies, and post-punk atmosphere. The use of saxophone, which could have easily felt out of place, is integrated beautifully and adds a distinctive layer to the sound. **Cons**: The album sometimes walks a fine line between innovative and repetitive. A few tracks, such as “I Wanna Sleep With You,” can feel like they are treading similar sonic territory as the more standout songs without offering much in the way of fresh ideas. ### 3. **Production** *Talk Talk Talk* is produced by Steve Lillywhite, a legendary producer known for his work with U2, Peter Gabriel, and Simple Minds. His production style on this album is clean yet textured, bringing out the unique elements of the Furs’ sound while ensuring that the raw energy of their music remains intact. Lillywhite manages to strike a balance between the band’s punk roots and the more polished, radio-friendly direction they were moving toward. The production showcases a wide range of dynamics. Songs like “Pretty in Pink” and “Mr. Jones” are tightly wound and sonically dense, while tracks such as “All of This and Nothing” have a spacious, almost cinematic quality. The drum and bass sections are given prominence in the mix, which helps drive the urgency and emotional intensity of the songs. The layering of guitars and saxophones creates an expansive, almost orchestral sound without feeling cluttered. At times, however, the production can feel a bit too polished, especially for a band that originally thrived on punk’s raw, unrefined ethos. While the sonic clarity is impressive, it occasionally feels at odds with the darker, more dissonant elements of the songwriting. There are moments when the sleekness of the production diminishes the emotional rawness that was more evident on their debut album. **Pros**: Lillywhite’s production is sharp, allowing each element of the band’s complex sound to shine through. The blending of different instruments and textures is handled with precision, creating a rich listening experience. **Cons**: The production can sometimes feel too polished for the post-punk aesthetic, and in some cases, the slickness might undercut the emotional rawness of the music. ### 4. **Themes** The central theme of *Talk Talk Talk* revolves around disillusionment, alienation, and the struggle for authentic self-expression in a world dominated by superficiality. The album’s exploration of relationships, particularly the tension between desire and destruction, is a recurring motif. There is a sense of ambivalence in the way love and intimacy are portrayed, often as sources of both joy and pain. “Pretty in Pink” is a critique of how people, particularly women, are reduced to surface-level qualities by others, while “Into You Like a Train” delves into the violent, consuming nature of passion. “No Tears” and “All of This and Nothing” explore themes of regret and existential questioning, with the latter featuring some of Butler’s most introspective lyrics. Another important theme is the tension between the individual and society. In “Mr. Jones,” Butler takes aim at conformity and societal expectations, while “Dumb Waiters” critiques consumerism and the transactional nature of modern life. These songs fit into the broader post-punk narrative of challenging authority and questioning traditional values. **Pros**: The album’s themes are timeless and deeply relatable, dealing with universal human emotions and societal critiques in a way that feels personal yet broadly applicable. The exploration of love, identity, and alienation taps into the existential angst of the early '80s, making it a perfect snapshot of its time. **Cons**: While the themes are impactful, some of the more abstract lyrics might be difficult for listeners to connect with on a personal level without repeated listens. ### 5. **Influence** *Talk Talk Talk* is one of The Psychedelic Furs' most influential works and helped cement their place in the post-punk pantheon. The album’s blend of punk energy, new wave accessibility, and art-rock experimentation would go on to influence countless bands in the alternative rock and indie scenes. The popularity of “Pretty in Pink,” both in its original form and in its connection to the John Hughes film, ensured the Furs’ continued visibility and introduced them to a mainstream audience. Beyond this, bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, The Killers, and Interpol have cited The Psychedelic Furs as a key influence, particularly for their ability to merge atmospheric soundscapes with emotionally charged lyrics. While *Talk Talk Talk* may not have achieved the same level of commercial success as albums by contemporaries like U2 or The Cure, its impact on the development of alternative music cannot be understated. It helped pave the way for the darker, more introspective side of the '80s new wave and post-punk movements to flourish in the following decades. **Pros**: The album’s influence on alternative rock and post-punk is immense. It remains a key reference point for bands seeking to combine emotional depth with musical innovation. **Cons**: Despite its influence, *Talk Talk Talk* didn’t reach the same mainstream recognition as some of its peers, which may limit its exposure among casual listeners. ### **Conclusion: Pros and Cons** **Pros**: - Poetic, emotionally resonant lyrics that explore deep themes of alienation, desire, and societal critique. - A unique blend of punk energy, new wave accessibility, and post-punk atmosphere. - Innovative use of instrumentation, particularly the integration of saxophones. - Sharp production that balances clarity with texture. - Lasting influence on the alternative rock and post-punk scenes. **Cons**: - The polished production may occasionally detract from the emotional rawness of the music. - Some of the lyrics and themes are abstract, which could alienate casual listeners. - A few tracks feel repetitive or lack the innovation found in the album ’s highlights. In summary, *Talk Talk Talk* is a pivotal album in The Psychedelic Furs' discography, showcasing their evolution from punk upstarts to new wave icons. While not without its flaws, the album's lyrical depth, musical creativity, and thematic relevance have ensured its place as a cornerstone of post-punk and new wave music.

Things moved quickly in the early eighties, and in the space of three albums the Furs went from abrasive new-wave squonkers filtering the Berlin Bowie of Warszawa and Neukoln through punk, to sleek MTV pop-rockers produced by Todd Rundgren. This is the mid-point - with tracks like Into you Like a Train harking back, Pretty In Pink looking forwards. It's not my favourite Furs album, but it's a very solid four stars.

Great album as a whole!

Generally a big fan of the band but that said, I think the earlier records are a bit more genuine in that they were slowly influenced by the other things going on in music once they were cutting records and being played on the radio... this is probably the most consistent album, though, in terms of quality of effort on each track.

I'm really glad that Andie and Duckie are friends throughout the whole movie and it doesn't force a romance narrative, but I also think Blane sucked, so I don't like the movie's ending but I also disagree with most other people about what it should have been.

Of course I've heard of The Psychedelic Furs but couldn't have named one of their songs. Started listening and was like "ohhh, they're the Pretty in Pink band." A solid example of 80s alt rock (college rock? IDK what to label this).

4.0

I was expecting some limp 80s middle of the road pop rock. I was very happy when it turned out to be a lot more discordant and wonky than I'd expected. Like pop but filtered through a fun and wonky mind.

Great 80's album.

Though I've complained about monotonous music before, I should be fair and do that here as well... Yet the Zeitgeist got me sooooo hard! Pretty In Pink 5* Hi, this is future me with the edit button, and after listening twice to the album in the last month, I have decided that, though lovely to listen to, I need to downgrade it to a 4*

2nd best

That’s that New Wave sauce, right there! Everything goes down well with a bit of The Furs. I noticed for the first time that at least 50% of this album was about having sex. That’s worth a bonus star.

Thoughts before listening: I know that this band is a big deal to a lot of people, but I know very little about them. British new wave I guess. I feel like they never really had a hit in the US. Review: So this is more of a post-punk type of sound instead of the new wave I was expecting. I rather enjoy this although I recognize its not everyone's cup of team. They employ a driving, dense sound that is fairly reminiscent of their peers like the Cure. I like the saxophones that get mixed in on these songs as well. 4-stars

Old school psychedelic rock!

Enjoyed it. Standout songs: Mr. Jones So Run Down All of this and Nothing

8/10 The Psychedelic Furs don't have a wide range, but the narrow band they occupy is theirs alone. I find comfort in that.

These blokes don’t get the credit they deserve. Saw them this year on a double bill with Squeeze and a good time was had by all. This album sounds as good today as it did when it popped.

Classy album.

I Wanna Sleep With You // No Tears // It Goes On // All Of This and Nothing // She Is Mine // 3.5/5

Love the drums! Would never have heard this

Funsies

hmm

Great album. A mix of punk and rock that you don't need to be 15 years old to appreciate.

Gosh - we are in an 80s vein at the mo, aren’t we? Some of our group are gonna hate that but I love all that Big Sax sound and snarly voice. So 80s, so nostalgic, so fun - for me at least. Pretty in Pink always reminds me of my dad - he loved the song and the film although we both hated Molly Ringwald’s dress at the end. Awful but the song is fab and I was happily carried along on this wave. It’s more of a 3.5 but I’m feeling nostalgically generous.

Funny... here's a band that, on paper, shouldn't be in my list of faves, but I've always had affection for the Pysch Furs. I own (still!) a few of their albums on vinyl, this included. I don't know that I have a favorite, they all blend a bit in my memory, but as I listen to this, it may well be the one I'd pick if I had to. The opener is a classic (and this version beats the remake), and there are lots of other gems. Richard Butler is not a vocalist I'd list among the better singers of his era, but there's something that just fits the music so well, it couldn't be anyone else singing these tunes. And the band has a knack for creating noise that hangs on to musicality just enough to sneak under the wire. This speaks to a vey specific era, before the '80s became what they were, but definitely post '70s. Enjoyed this one a lot.

I've always enjoyed a few songs from these guys, but I wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. I expected to give it a 3, especially after a few tunes that all sounded the same. But I don't know. It grew on me. It's a very dense album, musically. There's a ton going on and it's hard to pry the individual parts apart, and that worked more often than not. That dude's voice is one I've always enjoyed up to a point—he's pretty tuneless, a la Mark E Smith, and that can get old. But it never really bothered me. Also, I liked the saxophones. Very Roxy Music. Good stuff, even though I'm not sure I dig the lyrics to Pretty in Pink. Feels a bit misogynistic to me, but maybe I'm reading it wrong.

good rainy music. feeling artistic in this loft rn

I really really like Richard Butler's voice. I was pretty surprised by Dumb Waiters... it felt like an alt-rock sex pistols track and delivered well. Pretty in Pink is an otherwordly pop gem. Actually much of the rest is also pretty strong, with All of This and She is Mine being the last two and the next best to me. Enjoyed the trip.

Only knew their main hit so this was nice to hear

A post-punk album but more upbeat and with a saxophone? I'm not complaining.

In immediate love with their sound.

My first reaction was this is shit but then I settled down to it. I enjoyed discovering them and listening to their album. Brings me back in time. I especially like all of this or nothing. Great post punk Uk rock.

The missing link between punk and new romantics, like a slightly better generation X. Far from flawless, but enjoyable and interesting, with a couple of great songs.

WOW!

This was really cool too, need to listen to more of them because they sparked a new genre interest

Pretty decent

The first listen this felt a bit dated and I wasn't in the right frame of mind but on the second listen I started to get into a bit more and feel like I should like it more than a 3 so will give this a chance. Fave: It Goes On

I think I like their self titled album more than this one, but it's still very much my jam. I did a quick scan of the internet and it seems the Furs are not considered goth or goth adjacent, which seems pretty weird to me - they sound rather gothy. I guess if they wore more black nail vanish... It's not quite a 5 for me, but I'd go 4.5 if that were an option. Fave tracks - "Pretty in Pink" and "It Goes On"

This does not feel like it's from 1981. Its sound feels like its a decade ahead of the curb. Excellent stuff.

Great album and I was very surprised how much I liked it. Reminded me a bit of a cross between the cure and the jam. Pretty in pink was my favorite song.

I had fun i think

All in the same, very distinctive style. 'Pretty in pink' is easily the best, but 'All of this and nothing' is also excellent.

At some point you have to wonder if perhaps something else could have taken the place of this 100th British post-punk album on the list. Don't get me wrong, I love it... but still.

The amount of post-punk and new wave (especially the British variant) on this list is obviously excessive and maybe even problematic… But this is one of the albums I sure wouldn’t remove. The songwriting is fun and catchy and Butler’s vocals are iconic - but what really makes this record stand out is Ashton and Morris’ jangly and playful guitars.

I like the album a lot. No duds among the tracks although a couple songs sound very early 80s and don’t hold up quite so well. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-talk-talk-talk-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Perfect 80’s punk party album. It’s just a lot of fun!

1981, New Wave, Post Punk Standouts: Dumb Waiters, Pretty in Pink, I Wanna Sleep with You, Others: No Tears, Mr. Jones, All of This and Nothing, She is Mine

Great album, reminder to myself to relisten as I’m not super familiar with their catalogue. Loved it though, can’t wait to spin it again. Reminded me of some late 80’s Manchester style cuts.

I loved it! What a time capsule, and the inspiration for John Hughes.

This was my first time listening to the psychedelic furs. It won't be the last. This was really good. I liked the entire record.

You say samey, I say brilliant at what they do and I like the saxophone. These are great pop songs (Pretty In Pink being one of the greatest of all time) backed by cacophony. Dumb Waiter and Into You Like A Train are pretty amazing too.

Very good. Energy up throughout. I could hear bits of loads of other bands like Roxy Music/The Fall/Sex Pistols/The Cure. They were either very influential or savvy when it comes to picking bits from others.

It was pretty good. It can sound repetitive at times but overall it’s a quality rock/new wave album with good instrumentals and vocals.

Fond memories of the 80s

Knew the name but never listened before. Rather good as it happens- and sounds a lot more modern than I’d expect from 1981. Grunge like in places and of you told me this was 10-20 years later I wouldn’t have been surprised. Vocally bits reminded me of the magnificent Half Man Half Biscuit, which is never a bad thing in my book. And I can get onboard with the overall sound. Pretty good overall and I’d listen again without a problem.

British new wave/post punk today. A fairly average album. Some really catchy numbers on this record. The first song on the album, Dumb Waiters, is awful, but the rest of the album is pretty solid. Favourite songs: Pretty in Pink, All of This and Nothing, Mr. Jones, It Goes On Least favourite songs: Dumb Waiters (dogs down the street were reacting to the fucking saxophone parts...) 4/5

It sure started rough but this one really grew on me. It had enough of a punk edge that I didn't mind the new wave elements. I don't know. I worked for me.