The Colour Of Spring

I'm going to create another list called "1001 Mediocre New Wave Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". That would reduce the current list by about 700, and it might be hard work to replace those, but I think it's worth it.

This esoteric, sometimes challenging record from Talk Talk bears a lot of rewards worth reaping, as it marked their divergence from straight-lace new wave into something a little more sprawling. I should start by saying how much I adore “Life’s What You Make It”. An absolute killer groove, constructed by drum machines (I think?), a live kit (possibly?) and shakers (definitely). That glorious four-note piano bass figure (you know the one)! The keyboards and soaring guitar lines layering over it are transcendental, and the lyrics (even if a bit Hallmark) are given such significance and weight by the power of the arrangement. It’s the all time great track on here and has long been a favourite of mine, earning at least two and a half of these stars on its own. Nothing else can quite match up to its power, but then it seems apparent that the band weren’t aiming for chart appeal on the same level for most of these songs. “April 5th” and “Chameleon Day” are both very sparse and take time to unfold over subtly shifting chord progressions, very tasteful woodwind or acoustic guitar ornamentations and drip-fed vocals. They’re soothing but don’t always hit me in the right place. More reliable is the gentle closer “Time It’s Time” and the urgent propulsion of “Living In Another World”, both suitably epic and dense in their scope and arrangements. While the rest of the songs aren’t constantly gripping, they’re at least flavoured by intriguing elements: “Happiness is Easy” with its jazz chords and a children’s choir backing the chorus, and “I Don’t Believe In You” for its sublime guitar solo in the second half. This has the feel of assured, intelligent and ambitious musicianship. It’s a bit lofty, at times even suggesting a new flavour of prog-rock excess in the mid 80s, but much more palatable than Talk Talk’s later work (which has yet to work its magic on me completely). Give me that opening of “Life’s What You Make It”, any day.

Everyone working their way through this project loves music. And everyone who loves music has an album that means more to them than the rest. And this one is mine. I got into Talk Talk when I heard their single 'Life's What you Make It', which reached Number 16 in the UK charts in November 1985. The two singles vying for the Number 1 spot at the time were the theme to Miami Vice by Jan Hammer and 'We Built this City' by Starship. No offence to Jan Hammer and Starship, but those fun tunes never left 1985. Thirty-eight years later Talk Talk's Colour of Spring still feels as fresh as, well, spring I suppose. When I first heard it I didn't fully understand it - and I still don't fully understand it. It feels different with each listen. A true work of art.

The true artist chooses from the seemingly infinite possibilities of notation, rhythm and instrumentation to create a song so infused with the spirit and intention of its purpose that the lyrics couldn't possibly be anything else. That's alchemy.

You need to be in the right mood for this one, but if you are, it's great. You can really lose yourself in it.

“The Color of Spring” by Talk Talk (1986) A good album that has its flaws, mostly conceptual. In those places where the message tiptoes close to meaning (tracks 1 and 2), we find categorical moralizing without substance—they clearly want someone to feel bad, but who? Somebody wants to say something, but band mates (or managers) smother that baby in the bassinet. For the rest, there are only hints of feeling for another; only small attempts at expressing soul. But the music is good, well executed, incorporating elements of jazz, and effectively utilizing silence in distinct layers of the mix. Good dynamic contrast. Lead vocals are decent, successfully avoiding distracting from the soundscape (which, along with the excellent rhythm section, is the real musical feature here). The synthesizer arrangements were done by someone who really knows the instruments, creating sounds which merge well with the mood. Lots of free-form melodies and chord structures—but could use more harmony. Nothing jarring or out of place. Anxiety free music. This would be a good album to play in the background while working on the more routine aspects of a creative project. But I couldn’t figure out why the color palette of the cover (brown, yellow, orange) was used on an album entitled “The Colour of Spring”. I’m content to let it go. 3/5

This one really blew me away and is apparently the absolute best Talk Talk have ever made, there's something new to hear in every song every time I put it on. Definitely an album to keep revisiting

Many consider this album to be the transitonal album between prior synthpop and successive post-rock, but I believe this album stands on its way own. Indeed, Mark Hollis one said he wanted each album to be a new and different experience for his listeners, and I believe he accomplished that. With full creative control, Hollis has ditched the synths in favor of a more experimental orchestral sound. And after listening to Depeche Mode, I've grown to better appreciate elements of orchestral pop. Each track is solid and distinct, providing an engaging listen all throughout. And of course being a pop album, there are several tracks that you could just sing over and over again, with the biggest example being "Life's What You Make It." This album accomplishes what it intends to do and leads the way not just for the post-rock they end up doing, but also the orchestral pop others will follow.

Lots to love about this. A few months ago I became pretty obsessed with the follow-up 'Spirit of Eden'. The production on both albums is incredible. Every note, tone and strum fits perfectly. The craft and dedication to create and structure the songs is something I can only praise. On top of this is the introspective and existential lyrics.

I'd never heard of Talk Talk or this album before today, but I'm so glad I now know who they are. This album is gorgeous! I wish I had more time to digest the lyrics, but this review will mostly focus on its sonic characteristics. This album showcases a wide range of moods. "Chameleon Day" is almost startlingly heartbreaking, with the singer's voice changing abruptly from soft and melancholy to loud and splitting. The track is spacious and empty, accompanied only by occasional piano notes and a soft woodwind outro. In contrast, a song like "Living In Another World" combines acoustic guitar, harmonica, driving drums, rock organ, piano, and funky bass to create a lush sonic landscape. Can I comment on that organ a bit? This album is full of it, giving it a grand, religious tone. The first and maybe second tracks are obviously religious in nature, though I don't know exactly what the singer is trying to comment on. But whatever it is, it sounds great. The final song, a long, gorgeous ballad called "Time It's Time", is a fitting end to such a lush and varied album. I really never got bored over the course of these long tracks, and I'll definitely be coming back to see what more I can get from this thing. 7/10

This album is amazing, but I very much love this band. As such, this album must be graded on a curve. Since 5 is the best I can give, I’m forced to give this a 4. Really a 4.5, maybe even .7. The problem is, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock are so absolutely amazing, that the 5’s are reserved for them. This album has Life’s What You Make It. So damn good

Haven't listened to Talk Talk before, and am seriously regretting it now. Fantastic, dream-like songs that have fantastic melodies and are slightly reminiscent of late era Pink Floyd. Definitely listening to more. Favorite Song: I Don't Believe In You

Some signs of what was to come in Laughing Stock and Spirit of Eden (their absence a grave injustice), which is enough for a 5

I'm sad that I can only award this the maximum 5 stars this site permits. Its a 10 star album all day every day.

Descubrimiento. Tiene todo lo bueno de los ochenta. Art pop de largos desarrollos con notas de blues o jazz, que sin dejar atrás la New Wave la sobrepasa yendo un poco más allá. La línea de bajo es de Rustin Man. El cantante, Hollis, se sale. Genial.

Pleasant with an intense finale.

The Colour Of Spring is something of a bridge album for Talk Talk. The prior two albums would feature a distinct synthpop sound; not especially notable but still fitting for the 80's. It would be this album, their third, that would indicate a pivot in sound. We start to see more acoustic instrumentation and a concise focus on songwriting, utilizing these instruments to layer sounds in such a way that it feels like a moving collage (imagine the album cover, but animated). In doing go, Talk Talk creates more delicate, refined sonic textures that are well-crafted. Just superb. These new songwriting skills would carry over into their following two album, in which we would see the beginnings of post-rock as a genre. As such, we should regard The Colour Of Spring as an important stepping stone for Talk Talk as they explore more sonic pallets.

J'ai adoré cet album, je suis en revanche un peu déçu par l'attitude du chanteur sur la 5ème piste de cet album. En effet, apres de solides prestations sur les 4 premières pistes, ce dernier s'est senti poussé des ailes. Il est en effet devenu absolument intenable. Les efforts des autres membres du groupe pour tenter de le ramener a la raison furent vain, il était absolument déchainé, et ne revint dans un calme relatif qu'a la fin de la chanson. Une belle frayeur pour tous les auditeurs du générateur, qui n'entâche en rien la qualité exceptionnelle de cet album.

A really solid album. There’s some great melodies here and a sombre, contemplative mood throughout, which feels perfect for autumn. There’s a couple of stand out tracks (Life’s What You Make It, Give It Up) which somewhat define the British new wave sound.

This band pushed and pulled at the limits of 80s New Wave and Synth Pop in the same way that Radiohead did with 90s alt rock and Bon Iver did with 00s/10s indie rock. I’m kind of amazed I never heard of them until Mark Hollis died two years ago.

Ten albums ago on my list was The Dreaming, an eighties album that saw Kate Bush move on from the organic piano and rock band sound of her early albums to a sound dominated by synths and samples. This album sees Talk Talk go the other way - junking the synthpop of the first two albums for an analogue sound featuring organ, piano, harmonica, melodica and a choir. Like Bush Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene used the studio to get the sounds they could hear in their heads down on record, and this album is a perfect mid-point between their poppy roots and their studio tinkering of the last two albums. Everything's in balance - including 4 accessible singles, an epic closer and some more experimental album tracks. One of the all-time great headphone albums.

Talk Talk shifted from their new wave synth-pop to a heavy art rock direction on this album, and they did a great job with the transition. This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to 80s art rock. Most 80s art rock comes off as overproduced, too polished, and very artificial, leaving me with a void or feeling of nothingness where I can’t connect with it on any level. Somehow, Talk Talk pulled it off and executed it perfectly with this album. It has all the elements I mentioned, but I find myself getting lost in this album. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes 80s new wave or art pop.

I adore this album. It feels like the cover...fresh, airy, lush, and lovely. I'm whisked away to another place, especially with Time It's Time. I want to live in that song. I got myself into Talk Talk about ten years ago after intentionally exploring bands I should've known earlier. My only regret is not being able to see them live before Mark Hollis passed. I hope he knows how much his music was loved. 5 stars.

Pure Magic. if there ever was a perfect album, this is it..

I have a very crackly vinyl copy of this in a somewhat water damaged case. It was a joy to get it out this morning for a spin. The production on here is fantastic, and there are some great songs on Side A. However I think the second side lets it down a bit. Great album, but not quite as good as their final 2.

I was only familiar with It's My Life, but I love that song and generally most things under the new wave umbrella, so I figured this would be right up my alley. I've listened to this twice now, going on three, and each song roots a little deeper with every listen. His voice is so rich with emotion and the instrumentation compliments it so well. It's interesting he wanted to move away from synths and use more traditional instruments for this album. I wasn't expecting that, but I think they made something really special. After a quick read of the wiki, I'm excited to explore the albums that came after this and hear them move into jazzier, more experimental territory.

A sweet sounding album from beginning to end. It’s a tad low key and only has a few moments of “whoa”, but it sounds great and the songs are varied while remaining cohesive as a whole. Life’s What You Make It and Living In Another World are the highlights to me.

mixing is great, sounds like a majestic buff guy with long luscious golden hair riding a pony through the hillside, harmonica solo goes hard asf

Bass lines on this album are so fuckinng good

Sonically strong, my opinion may improve with more listens

Wasn’t happy with a song lengths but it was a pretty interesting listen. Vocals sounded like Tears for Fears. Two songs were just no sound for a while which was kind of annoying but the rest was good. Low 4.

super fun 80s album, I liked it a lot 8/10

Pretty enjoyable! Jammed out while working 8/10

Pretty strange, even for new wave. It was very good, but I don't know if I'd want to listen to these songs regularly. Dude's voice is kind of a lot to take in

Entspannter Pop 4/5

ja nee heel leuk album natuurlijk, wat een top ding, love it, echt een Roald album dit die zal ehm ook wel 5 sterren geven, alhoewel, speelt hij nog?

I don't think I'd ever heard this but the cover is vaguely familiar to me. And as far as mid 80s new wave albums go, this one is much less like a cheesy movie soundtrack. Maybe this is more like 80s art pop than new wave? I don't know but I dig it. Happiness Is Easy is a great song. April 5th is kind of a weird slow spot and I think might have worked better as the album closer rather than the side one closer. It didn't really make me want to turn the record over. The second side plays a lot like the first, a slow spot towards the end. All in all I really enjoyed this album and I'll definitely listen to it again. If I saw it in the record shop I'd probably pick it up. 3.5/5 round to 4 for the re-listenability.

It's this interesting transitional album between their synthpop phase and their genre-defining post rock records

Un début très agréable jusqu'à ce que le chanteur devienne totalement incontrôlable au début de la cinquième piste. On se retrouve alors en tant qu'auditeur plongé au milieu d'une scène de négociation entre ledit chanteur et les forces de police rapidement arrivées sur les lieux. Les discussions aboutissent finalement après quelques minutes, le chanteur acceptant de terminer l'album vêtu d'une camisole et attaché à son siège.

Meh

Tried it once, and I couldn't for the life of me keep my attention on it. Found it aggressively boring. Second try, I started digging the groove, was getting more out of the lyrics, and then a song or two later... nope. Not for me. I just can't figure out a way in.

Put on some good headphones and catch everything that's going on here. Incredible.

Very nice

Love this album, love talk talk

Fun Fact: They’re called Talk Talk because instead of being succinct, their songs blather on and on.

I tried to like this album. I had gone on and read some of the reviews before listening, and I really thought some of the negative reviews were too glib and too harsh. While the positive reviews seemed to consist mostly of fans and people familiar with the work, I was really leaning in their direction. After listening, however, all of the possible advancements and growth by the band didn't translate musically to me. There is certainly quality here, but more like a well made bookend rather than something to get excited about.

It was fine. It didn't really catch my attention too much, but there were some good tracks on it. It was a pretty reasonable 3. Favourite Tracks: April 5th, Give It Up

3.7 - Peak 80s adult contemporary. Reminds me of high end stereo equipment of that era. I could imagine a fancier showroom having this in the CD player to show off audio performance. It also would’ve been playing in my friend’s divorced dad’s car stereo - a nice convertible coupe with bucket leather seats, maybe a car phone.

Very interesting. I like the sparsness, its an element I havent seen a lot in New Wave type music.

Unispiring bland pablum. This is the band that gave us 'It's My Life' and the author(s) choose this album? 2.5/5.

Yet another mediocre new wave band on the list. I'm not even surprised by it anymore. I just expect to get at least one a week. Like ALL the other so far, this is ignorable bordering on annoying. At least the singer's voice is half-decent. That earns it a two star review.

Interesting album, and by interesting I mean boring. Very 80’s slow vibe you’d hear in some weird transition during a boring Bond movie. Might be the epitome of lack of effort 80s slow album

This album deserves its place as the Oxford Dictionary definition of dreary. It is the background music to that classroom scene in Ferris Bueller.

I used to think it was really immature to describe something as “boring,” but it turns out sometimes there’s just no other word.

Typical 80's droning, boring trash. No business being on this list, as usual.

This album has no business on this list. It doesn't even have their hits (all both of them). Even guest appearances by Steve Winwood and Robbie McIntosh can't liven up this snoozefest. The most interesting thing this band ever did was being named Talk Talk, with a song called "Talk Talk" on an album titled "Talk Talk". The result? "Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk Talk". But that isn't even this album! No stars.

I kept waiting for it to get ANY better. And it never does. When the children’s choir is one of the better points, you have a dud of an album.

This is the muzak you heard when you were at the doctor's office as a kid and all the chairs/decor were weirdly stuck between 90s and 2000s trends and it overall felt like a very liminal experience that doesn't seem quite real in hindsight.

p551, 1986. 1 star. Poor man's Tears For Fears. Mark Hollis always sounds like he is straining, and not in a good way. It's all 80s synth and sax, long meandering tracks, and that ain't aged well. Soulless and dull. Not essential listening.

Droney, 80s, bummer music. If there was a catchy song on here I would give it 2 but this was a chore.

5/5

The color of spring, spirit of eden i laughin stock je jedan od najjačih nizova nekog benda uopće. Life is What you make It je top 20 pjesama osamdesetih.

Spring. Rebirth. Another personal favorite where my appreciation for it increases as I grow older. The big 80s sound but uses synth as a mild backdrop while including more eclectic instrumentation. The esoteric religious imagery adds all the more. This is a wonderful album.

The start of Talk Talk’s experimental streak. We wouldn’t have Spirit of Eden or Laughing Stock without this. I used to undervalue this LP, thinking it was too close to the poppier sound I’m indifferent towards, but it really is brilliant from beginning to end. Essential for art rock fans. A

Really dig this! The only thing I don't love is how "80s" the production sounds, but such as it it, I still love this.

Sad 80’s synth pop without the synth. Album hits all the notes of the decade and sounds but with non traditional instruments of the time. I’m blown away by this one having never heard it. Excellent think arrangements of sad 80s pop. Loved every second!

10/10. I simply love this type of 1980's synth pop under the same vein as artists like Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears. Something about this album feels extremely comforting. :)

That was beautiful. Someone in the reviews suggested that you need to be in a particular frame of mind to appreciate this album, and I agree with the wisdom of that. But I was, and it was a delightful experience.

Such a beautiful and inventive record. The production is immaculate. The singing is great. The songs are just really entrancing. Crazy use of choirs. Great bass lines. Cool switches between acoustic guitars swipes and electronics. I know they're more famous / innovative for their last two records for inventing post rock but this feels like an equal competitor.

Echt een prachtig album, vette atmosfeer, origineel, en mooie nummers

The top review is saying this is another average new-wave album from the list, are you people smoking crack? This is head and shoulders above 99% of new-wave. It's incredible what they managed to make on their final 2 albums after this, but already you can see that they just had a knack for incredible songwriting.

Talk Talk shifted from their new wave synth-pop to a heavy art rock direction on this album, and they did a great job with the transition. This is one of my personal favorites when it comes to 80s art rock. Most 80s art rock comes off as overproduced, too polished, and very artificial, leaving me with a void or feeling of nothingness where I can’t connect with it on any level. Somehow, Talk Talk pulled it off and executed it perfectly with this album. It has all the elements I mentioned, but I find myself getting lost in this album. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes 80s new wave or art pop.

I quite liked this album! Psychedelic, easygoing. Nice instrumentals, and vocal work that pairs nicely with it. 'Give It Up' takes my fave here.

Loveliness! I'm more into their proto-post-rock genre-shaping later albums "Spirit of Eden" and "Laughing Stock", which I'd argue shoulda been included on the list as well of or instead of this one, but fine, I can get on with this transitional album quite nicely. Actually, given how much this project has softened my hardline stance towards poppy new wave, I should probably check out their earlier albums too - I'd probably dig them now! 🤔 Fave tracks - "Life's What You Make It" is the big one for me. "Give It Up" is great too.

I've never heard of Talk Talk before, but man, I really liked this. I kept forgetting that I wasn't listening to like Peter Gabriel or Tears For Fears while listening to this album. It was so well performed and recorded and the musical choices were so fun and unexpected to my ears. There were good hooks and just a great experience. Five stars.

One of the most unique deployments of the 80s sonic pallette of synths, big reverby drums & drum machines, rubbery bass, compression, and synthetic production excess as nylon guitars, electric pianos, string sections and saxaphones make cameos. Its full sounding but also full of space, each instrument filling it's niche and leaving room for the rest to come and go, particularly the plaintive mournful vocals that occupy the center channel, the main line of address. Strange and compelling, a relatively recent discovery I like more each time I listen.

November 1st, 2024 (morning of) HL: “April 5th”, “Living in Another World”, “Time It’s Time”, “Happiness Is Easy”, “Life’s What You Make It” I’ve read about the trajectory of this band, from synth-pop to post-rock, so it makes sense their entry on this list has the best of both worlds. I happened to listen to It’s My Life (1984) earlier this year, purely on the strength of “Such a Shame” & the title track, and it was pretty enjoyable, if anyone reading this needs even more 80s new wave. Mark Hollis has one of my favourite voices in 80s bands, so you’d think the higher emphasis on instrumentation in Colour would put me off. It doesn’t. The mix of energetic pop-rock, jazzy atmospheres and peculiar arrangements (hello recorders and choir in “Time It’s Time”) never feels disjointed to me. It’s consistently enjoyable from start to finish. I intend to go the full mile & hear Spirit of Eden & Laughing Stock at some point

Much of my favorite music has a certain atmosphere that I find difficult to describe, and this album has that feeling in spades. I wish that 14-year-old me had "Living in Another World" on my mp3 player so I could listen to it on repeat until I fell asleep, it would have been one of my favorite songs. I guess I have to make up for lost time...

Superb.

One of my favorites from the 80s

One of my favourite bands although we're really talking about Mark Hollis. He may have tried to disown his poppy roots but they were a band that transcended the 80s. Deep and meditative although Spirit of Eden (which doesn't make it on this chart) is one of the greatest albums ever made. This however is still a triumph.

Brilliant

I've never found any other band that's been so exactly on my wavelength. Insanely well produced and written, with a kind of melancholic honesty that never becomes cloying or clichéd. Coldplay and Radiohead are very much in Talk Talk's shadow. RIP Mark. It's a shame I'll never meet you.

This wasn't what I was expecting from this band at all. I thought that "It's My Life" would be on this album as it was, by far, their biggest hit. I loved everything about these songs. This is one of those albums that was a very nice surprise.

Those vocals and the steady drum beat throughout, I really like it.

I had seen the band name in passing (and unfortunately have heard the No Doubt cover of It’s My Life) but had never looked into their story or catalogue. From what I’ve read, this was a transition album from Brit synth pop to a less structured style, which didn’t come into full view until the next two albums Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, neither of which are on this list. Just an insane trajectory of reinvention for a band that seemed to be on a fast path to a more commercial life. I think this band and album may be my favorite new discovery from this list so far. I love the way they play with volume and space in the arrangements, and the vocal melodies have some unexpected turns without sounding too arty - jazz influenced but keeping some of the pop and rock footing. Clear influence on later bands like Radiohead and Slowdive. I listened to Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock as well, and think Spirit is probably my favorite of the three but this one is definitely the catchiest and most upbeat.

4.5 - Really like this and keen to listen to more. This could be an album I come back to

I remember a couple of these songs as a kid, but now as an adult I can fully appreciate this album and it's one of my favorite to come out of the 80's. It sounds of its time but also holds up so well. Like it could've come out yesterday. Love Talk Talk!

Zoals Bassie al aangeeft Valt me tegen dat jullie geen 5/5 geven hoor

This feels both familiar and so completely personal. Uses a synth pop sensibility to achieve something deeper and more complex than pop usually delivers. I really love this album.

5

fun and interesting even though i wasnt listening too closely, made me want to listen again with more attention

I am thrilled that talk talk has finally come up on this list. I would say that this is my third favorite talk. Talk album after Eden and Laughingstock, neither of which unfortunately are on the list. But I can see why this one would be chosen from their catalog, as it is most representative of their unique sound, while also being more accessible than their fourth and fifth albums. As for the songs: magical! I was blown away when I first heard this when it was released, such a departure from their first two records. It provides a great mix of introspection and intensity. Definitely a “must check out”. Favorite tracks: Living in Another World, Chameleon Day.

Listened to Talk Talk nonstop in the 80s, all their albums are 5 star - this is album number 3.

Great album, filled with sophisticated yet catchy pop songs.

All talk talk albums are amazing, from the poppy 1st one to the two more experimental last ones. Mark Hollis voice and the arrangements always move me. Was a blow when he died. Am that old that I saw them perform around the release of It's My Life album, in concert hall with capacity of 500 people, the band jumping and being high on life. Talk Talk highlight for me is the song Renee from it's my life album Worst talk talk experience is that every time you hear It's My Life on the radio it is the No Doubt version, who made it a nightmare stadium rock song.

I haven't thought about this album since 1986 never mind heard it. So good!

Another one I could listen on repeat.

Effectively bridges the period between their refined synth-pop era and their quieter, more contemplative post-rock phase. Their best album. The lower-end piano riff on "Life's What You Make It" provides one of the most memorable song openers of the '80s.

Incredible vocals by Mark Hollis. Happiness is Easy I Don't Believe (in) You Life's What You Make It Living In Another World (amazing harmonica solo) Time It's Time