The Colour Of Spring

Gran instrumentación, arreglos muy llamativos y bien integrados. Me costó trabajo acostumbrarme a la voz, de todo fue lo que sentí que no cuadraba tan bien, pero poco a poco la sentí más natural. Un disco muy experimental y artístico y muy bien pensado trabajado. Lo que más destaco del disco son sus elementos instrumentales definitivamente, además de su trabajo armónico, teniendo progresiones y modulaciones muy interesantes.

Not one of my favourite bands. But I did actually enjoy this overall.

Album 10 3/12/26 I knew absolutely nothing of Talk Talk besides the one hit song not on here. I've heard them discussed as mu-core post rock, never taken that dive though, and it's easily apparent that's not the genre of this album. Right off the bat, Happiness is Easy didn't do anything for me. Whatever drum machines were used on this album were not my favorite. The synthesized drums and the percussion on top sounded like bad new age, especially because the textures didn't vary much track to track. I did like the analog instruments used throughout the album, especially the organ swells. My favorite moment of the album was the guitar solo on I Don't Believe in You, it was kind of Fripp/Belew-ish. Life's What You Make It was vaguely familiar, so maybe I did hear it on the FM at some point. Give It Up was alright too but by this point my attention was running low and the songs were running together in my mind a good deal. All this to say, I did not really care for the album. Getting through these new wave albums is going to be tough. I'm still curious about the post rock stuff from Talk Talk but not very. Two stars Edit: I made a tier list after 55 albums and this was the most egregious placing since I moved up Sheer Heart Attack. This is actually a 3 on my scale because it was not a bad listen and I don't think calling this album inessential is fair compared to the rest of the book. 3 stars

Too weird

Fine, inoffensive

Meh

Dritstygg stemme. Ok musikk

3/10. Fav Track - Living in Another World Sadly another style that just isn't my favorite, regardless of the clear talent displayed. They did fuck the absolute shit outta that harmonica though.

Polished third album for Talk Talk which sees them more experimental than their earlier pop/New Romantic sound. Life's What You Make it is the standout track for me and the album is well worth a listen

Was hoping this would make a larger impression based on its timeframe, but it did not. Neutral.

Don’t love the vocals, but I do love the album art! The music is fine.

I was a bit surprised when an album by Talk Talk showed up on the generator today. My awareness of them prior to today was as the band who had the synth-pop single It's My Life, and that certainly didn't seem noteworthy enough to be on the list. I read the Wikipedia page and that offered more of the story and made sense, so I was then more interested in giving it a listen. I really enjoyed the album overall. I loved the variety of sounds, and most of the songs had some musical flourishes that I really dug. Given that most of the tracks were longer in length, it gave time to breathe and do more than your typical three minute pop song. Standouts for me were Happiness is Easy, I Don't Believe in You, Life's What You Make It, and Give it Up, and there were no songs I didn't get something enjoyable from. Another cool "new to me" album.

An above-average pop album, Very good, tho' I can't see myself listening again.

It's a 2*. I totally tuned out while it was playing and nearly dozed off. Nothing offensive here, and maybe these guys were a big deal in the UK or something, but there is nothing special here. Nothing that anyone absolutely must hear before they die.

I gotta be completely honest... I listened to this album three weeks ago and I keep meaning to come back and write some words on it, but I can't remember a single thing about it and can't be bothered to refresh my memory by putting it on again. That's probably the best review I can give of The Colour of Spring. Highlights: Happiness Is Easy, I Don't Believe in You, Living in Another World, Time It's Time

The colour of the 80s.

Tried a couple of times but this became a bit of a sticking point of me getting through this list - think I had a bad run! Good production but pretty dull.

I knew I loved Talk Talk from the first moment I heard "Life's What You Make It." It is, indeed, and more Talk Talk makes it better.

My rating 2.8. Nope not for me. Worst version of 80s music.

A great album. Here I thought these dudes just dude that “it’s my life” song. They’ve got way more depth.

2.5

la voz no combina

Super okay!

Tall Talk son mi debilidad. Desde sus primeros éxitos comerciales synthpop hasta su último disco orgánico y experimental. Y justo en medio de ambas épocas está este “The Colour Of Spring”, un álbum que recoge su mejor lado comercial y armónico mientras se desprende del peso de los sintetizadores, apostando por un sonido más puro, menos recargado y unas composiciones más complejas. El viaje del synthpop al art-rock en cinco discos es digno de elogio.

*Slow paced rock album *Not bad but also not too exciting

Life's what you make it is a truly great song. The production the lyrics the vocals are all perfect. It stands apart on this album. However the rest of the album is a lot quieter and is no less interesting for it. I don't believe in you and April the 5th are moody and magnificent. All in all a very rewarding listen.

One of the best albums of the 80s, if not the best. Life's What You Make It is the Gen X theme song.

Pop rock sympa mais un peu toujours pareil, vibe ah-ha un peu j'ai trouvé

J’adore la voix du chanteur ! Je ne connaissais pas cet album, un peu tristoune

Boring, j'ai pas trop kiffé

This collection is more nostalgia for me than enjoyment - it just blends into noise after a while.

3.5/5

2/5. Not bad at all, but not my vibe. I did enjoy the naming scheme though.

Listened Before? N This is a real gem! I like TalkTalk's earlier work - this feels more mature and complex. There's less synth stuff here, although I'm not sure it matters much. This dude's voice was MADE for 80s pop. Love it. Added to Library? Y Songs added to playlist: Living in Another World

Very chilling, the texture of this is very smooth and evolving. Have some minimalis and melancholy touch.

Eh

I liked this one quite a lot. It reminds me a lot of bands like Tears for Fears as well, which is always a plus. I know their biggest hit (which wasn't on this album), but that's about it. This album pleasantly surprised me with its progressive sound and pop music that doesn't sound dated one bit. 8 / 10

Really pretty good. I listened to it again for better sound and enjoyed it more the second time. A pretty solid 4 stars. I had no idea that this band originally recorded It's My Life (not on this album) and that was covered by Gwen Stefani

This reminds me a lot of Tears For Fears. It's progressive pop. I'm definitely coming back to this one again.

I go mental whenever I hear 'It's My Life', which is the only song I actually knew by Talk Talk until listening to this record. I was expecting 80's new wave poppy stuff on the same level as Tears for Fears. Boy was I wrong. I can't fault the songwriting or atmosphere on here, but I just found this to be super bland and a tad uninspired. Maybe I was coming into this expecting an exciting pop album rather than the moody expression of instrumentals and dreary vocals that it is, but I still think this doesn't quite hit the mark that I'm after. It's a shame, because the hits like 'Life's What You Make It' and 'Living in Another World' were quite engaging, but everything else was just a bit stale in my eyes. I didn't hate this or dislike it, I just expected more if I'm honest.

Absolutely phenomenal album. I think Mark Hollis is a genius, this is an expertly composed and balanced album, it isn't as bombastic and poppy as It's My Life (both the album and the song which are very very near and dear to my heart) but this is a very deliberate and heartfelt experience. I fucking LOVE Talk Talk, man. It's a shame all 5 of their albums aren't on here. Highlights: Life's What You Make It, Living in Another World, Time It's Time

Sophisticated without going all sophisti-pop and getting trapped in the clichés of 80s pop music, Talk Talk's third record is an absolute gem that features a layered sound that is both rich and dense. With a sound that feels rather modern, The Colour Of Spring doesn't rely on heavy synths and instead features jazz instrumentation that gives the album a lot of texture. Although this is an easy record to unwind to, there is also something interesting coming around the corner to keep you engaged. You get organs, harmonica and even a children's choir contributing to the sound. I'm baffled that this list decided against including the two albums that followed this one, as they would continue to experiment their sound to much critical success.

Het klinkt als iets dat ik erg tof zou vinden en het heeft zo z'n momenten, maar toch is het eigenlijk best wel saai

Had het niet verwacht maar vond dit eigenlijk wel heel goed. Misschien eerder een 3.5 maar voel me gul

Beetje Phil Collins coded

Schitterende plaat eigenlijk. Super veel detail in de productie, grootse en meeslepende reffreinen. Je prikt soms nog door alle magie heen en in die gevallen hoor je de botten van een matige jaren 80-synthpop track, wat Spirit of Eden toch nog wat specialer maakt. Al in al, positieve verrassing.

An alright album. Nothing to jam out to later.

I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a sort of 80s pop/rock leaning toward progressive. I really don't care for it much. The vocals are off-putting and the instrumentation is not interesting enough. I won't listen again.

Another decent-but-not-that-memorable new wave album.

I quite like this. It’s a bit like Peter Gabriel but less poppy, a bit like The Blue Nile but less Scottish, a bit like The The but less electronic. It’s good and sounds like it would be a grower

Cut from the same cloth as all the other 80s pop bands.

mehhhhh

I really should listen to this album more, its so so good Everything is good but then you have something like Give it Up, which is incredible Happiness is Easy is another top tune. The outro on the closer Time Its Time is great.

I quite enjoyed The Colour of Spring. It's an elegant composition of songs. I find the album art interesting because I think a butterfly is a good analogy for what this music is doing. Pretty to look at, or in this case listen to. It's minding its own business just happily existing in its space. It doesn't impose it's will. It's just there, floating along. You vibe to it without having to look too deep into what you're hearing.

Nice enough, but nothing overly gripping beyond a couple of songs.

Sympa et chill, pas grand chose à dire non plus

Meh

Talk talk = 🗣️🗣️ En mode New Wave

There is something about Talk Talk's music that transports me to another dimension: the calm I feel, the sense of well-being and communion with the universe, the way my body and spirit react to the melody, my body wanting to dance and my mind escaping to an open space free from the rules of our physical world... I don't know, revisiting this album was great and listening to it at the end of such a busy day! A solid 5 for all that.

Like better Depeche Mode.

2026.02.08

I really don't enjoy this New Wave genre. Not a fan of his voice.

It's not bad. I just wasn't awestruck

I really don’t like this 80s synthpop stuff. It’s never been my favorite.

progressive pop is so sick

Fine but I will not be returning

talk talk's final three albums are good to great, in ascending order of release. this is their final album as a poppier new wave band. they excelled as a poppy singles band, and the songs on "spring" are great songs. you also get a little sense of where they're going with the 8-minute album ender, "time it's time".

6.5/10 very 80s vibes

Oh how I wish that all New Wave and Art Pop bands had followed Talk Talk's example. "The Colour Of Spring" shows us that, when you replace the synthesizer with a real piano, give the guitarist a searing solo or two, and let the rhythm section do their thing, it's possible for a band to produce something that transcends "80s synth-pop" and has relevance in any era. Well done.

2/3. I struggle with the singer's voice a lot, to be honest; he's difficult to understand, and I'm not a huge fan of his timbre. But there is something about this album that grew on me as I listened, a certain enjoyment I couldn't get away from. Maybe it's just the evocative cover, but this does have some feeling of Spring to it. I think it could grow on me.

Ar trebui să n-a obișnuiesc cu așa albume

- very dreamy and nostalgic but no song really stood out to me - would be great as a movie soundtrack tho

Decent. Unfortunately, we didn't realise it had finished and began to remark on how Phil Collins-esque some of the songs were before seeing we were actually now listening to Peter Gabriel (not even Phil Collins...). Decent enough.

For me, the instrumentation is the real standout on this project.

Talk Talk is an English band that gained fame during the early years of MTV, when only British acts were really making promo videos for their music. Talk Talk was kind of like all those new wave synth bands that came out at that time. Like most of the new wave acts, they were different from what was really popular at that time in the U.S. My brother and I have always thought that the United Kingdom was always ahead of the U.S. when it came to music and even good taste in music. But, no matter how popular you might have been in the U.K., to really make it big, you had to break the U.S. While Talk Talk did achieve some success in the U.S., they really were big in the U.K. and Europe. Like a lot of the new wave bands at the time, Talk Talk got tired of cranking out the synth hits and wanted to expand on their sound or do something totally different. With their third album, The Colour of Spring, the band leaned more into jazz and art pop, at least that’s what our friends at Wikipedia call it. The words art pop make me want to vomit, but no matter, The Colour of Spring was less synths and more real instruments, and to me, that’s always going to be better. The album became a big seller in Europe, and the critics loved it, but in the U.S., if you make any drastic changes, the American audience will drop you like a sack of dirt to move on to whatever sounds like you used to sound. So, The Colour of Spring didn't really make a dent in the U.S. As for the album, it’s good. I can’t say much else, really. It’s something I could see listening to again, but it’s unlikely. I think they did a good job of writing new wave/synth songs that sound new wave, but with real instruments. I assume the singles were the songs more like their catalog from the first two albums. They released four singles from the album, with three being in the U.S. I don’t really have much here. If you’re a fan of 80’s new wave, I think you’d enjoy this. I’m not exactly sure why this is an album to hear before you die. Sorry for a boring review. I'd almost rather I hated it so I could spit some bile out here, but it's just a solid rock album. Listen to it if you want to sit in whatever you're feeling at the time because it won’t really take you anywhere else.

Interesting listen. Liked it quite a lot although no real standouts

okayyy

I think this sounds brilliant tbh

I wish the vocals were a little more dense and varied. And I wish the songs weren't all 5-6 minutes long. But I guess that's just 80s pop. Overall I liked it.

really dope stuff. very 80's very synthy. there's maybe one or two skips that blemish an otherwise vibe-dense listening experience, but the album is such that my brain is already making excuses on its behalf like "nah dude you don't get it April 5th is a perfectly positioned slower paced song so the listener can take a breath before getting whisked away by Living in Another World". the I Don't Believe in You breakdown solo outro into Life's What You Make It is a killer combo (thank you gta vice city). favorite song though is probably Time It's Time, really sick vibey outro that doesn't get boring even while it takes its time

Rating: 10/10 Long been a 9/10 for me but I fully realize there’s nothing stopping The Colour of Spring from being a 10. Lush and intelligently composed progressive pop songs that create a beautiful soundscape. I love every song, the A and B sides are equally fantastic with the slight exception of Chameleon Day which just atmospherically leads into the closer. Life’s What You Make It is literally one of the greatest rock songs ever made and I never want it to end when it’s on. I love every little piece of instrumentation from the addicting bass line to the keyboard, soaring guitar riffs, and shakers that make a really cool percussion. Oh, and a gorgeous album cover art also

Solid album, I liked it but it was too chiiillll and ghostly and draggy to love it. I felt like I needed to be looking out a window and feeling melancholic the whole time listening to it. Overall though, pretty focused and balanced and well made 7.0/10

This sort of 80s style music just isn't for me. I'll appreciate its influence and continue on my listening journey. 6 fourth colours out of 10 lizard wizards

Whiny not rock

Quite pleasant but it didn’t feel like a particularly essential listen

80s rock. Jazz and art pop. Beautiful voice.

Honestly, I found it quite boring. There aren't really any notable moments, and it was hard to get through. Snoozefest!

Life’s what you make it bangs. The rest is kind of meg

This was relaxing and interesting. I enjoyed it pretty much. It's really the kind of album that makes you lose yourself into it. Great one.

People will either know Talk Talk from early 80s big hits like 'It's My Life' or the experimental stuff they did later that decade or into the 90s. This sort of straddles the two with more radio friendly songs like 'Life's What You Make It' but some sparse, atmospheric sounds later in the album. I liked 'April 5th' and 'Chameleon Day'. A good listen and interesting but it's hard to go 4 or 5 at this stage without the presence of any really excellent songs.

A beautiful, well crafted album

This had me on the fence for the entire run. Unfortunately I couldn’t get on entirely, very bland at time.

Wonderful album. One of the highlights of the 80s. Life's what you make it being the track everyone knows, but the rest of the album is of a similar high standard. Every track is layered and stands up to repeat listening, when it opens up and gives more and more. And they went on to even greater things with later releases! 5

Really really 80s. The sounds and the instruments used were very reverb, the singer's voice is very ethereal, it works really well, fantastic soundscape. It does sound like a time capsule from all the way in the 1980s, like digging up a can of old coke and candy with a different recipe, if that makes any sense. 8/10

Kinda slow, kinda boring, kinda just felt generic 80s crap...

was für ein album! auch retrospektiv tolle songs, dicht arrangiert mit einer fülle von einflüssen die das album bemerkenswert machen.

Ein wunderschönes Album mit unverwechselbarem Sound.

1: April 5th 2: I Don’t Believe You 3: Living In Another World

Ok in places

This is not the colour of spring. Spring is about new life, reawakening after the cold, dark winter months, warmth returning, feeling like summer is just around the corner. This is more like the colour of autumn. Grey, dark, miserable, dreary. Constant rain turning the earth into sludgy mud. More like the colour of a turd.

Fairly run of the mill pop music that is instantly forgettable - best left in the 80s

It’s hard to go into these 80s pop bands without some trepidation. Fortunately it wasn’t too 80s or poppy, which is some sort of backhanded compliment. Kind of interesting in places like some nice strings and the choir bit on the last songs was well done. The hit is better than I remember. I quite liked the chilled vibe, but maybe overdoes the mood or substance at times.

Tosi rento. Ootan innolla noiden muita albumeja.

This is like the adult contemporary version of Duran Duran. Strip away the eyeliner and the edgy chorus, and replace it with tasteful chord progressions, and this is what you get. Kinda meh. Nothing really grabbing, it's just there. My rating: 2/5 butterflies

Talk Talk were and are my favourite 80’s band. Moreover I consider Mark Hollis a genius. All of his music appeals to me. From lovely melodic songs instantly recognisable to gut wrenching sounds put together to form music which is truly unique to him. It is the latter musical form which appeals to me the most. When feeling desperate, lonely and sad his music won’t make you feel better but is the perfect soundtrack to somehow express why and how you feel. He retired from music much too early and more tragically died much too young. But he left us a splendid catalogue of work of which this album is a fine example. Not my absolute favourite. Spirit of Eden gets that accolade which in turn is superseded by Mark Holllis’s solo album (a candidate for my personal selection when I complete this journey) But it does mark the beginning of Talk Talk’s emergence from their synth pop era to go on and produce some of the finest music of that time. 5/5 16/1/26

mid as hell

A bit moody, and a bit dated. But not too bad.

Perfectly decent '80s album, but one interesting thing that stood out was how much Chameleon Day sounds like the blueprint for the Hollow Knight soundtrack.

Muy 80 para mi gusto. El sonido era nitido, pero no me llamo la atención.

Happiness Is Easy - 5/10: I liked the intro. I Don't Believe in You - 3/10: Just kind of boring. Life's What You Make It - 3/10: I just didn't really enjoy it. April 5th - 3/10: Same as the last song. Living in Another World - 3/10: Just kind of boring. Give It Up - 4/10: I like the beat/music/instruments (whatever you call it). Chameleon Day - 3/10: Just kind of boring. Time It's Time - 3/10: Same as the last song. Overall Score: 27/80 Overall Rating: 3/10: I just didn't really enjoy the album. I wasn't a huge fan of the vocals and none of the songs stood out to me. I don't see myself listening to this album again.

starts with a children's choir and goes downhill from there. pretentious horseshit.

Aside from two relatively unremarkable songs, this album is incredible. It's just a shame about those 2 songs, because this could've easily been a 5 star album.

Painfully 80s. I am very much not into this Tears For Fears, Duran Duran synth and croonfest. Hard pass, but a 2 because it was simply boring and not actively off-putting.

This was another one of those albums that felt like it had potential until the vocals came in. I liked a good majority of the rhythms and beats but the overall sound just isn’t there for me.

Some thoughts: If this is a change of direction for Talk Talk (away from synthesizers apparently) it means that I can happily avoid the early albums too. This is exactly the kind of crappy pop album I would have avoided and/or ridiculed in high school. Just terrible AOR music, made by pretentious artists for pretentious yuppies. Feels like someone just heard some Pink Floyd in 1986 and wanted to get in on that sweet guitar tone for some of these solos. Such a mishmash of styles, funk bass, overwrought keys and that PF style guitar. Nothing really fits and it's obnoxious. Who thought the harmonica was a good idea on "Living In Another World"? Seems pretty obvious that these guys were working out of "Oblivious to Reason" Studios.

I honestly don't really remember anything about this album except I didn't like it.

This was fine, a little boring but some parts were groovy. Light 3.

Add a little sunshine to the Smiths and this is what you'd get.

I listened to this twice and was able to get much more into it the second time. The harmonica in “living in another world” rocked and I also really enjoyed “give it up”.

It's well engineered, recorded, and mixed (especially for 1986). Kudos to them for realizing how awful FM synths sounded and turning back to analogue instruments. But the lushness in the tracks really expose the weakness of that voice as an instrument. Most importantly though, the music here is SO BOR ING. Maybe it works for people who listen passively; those who just want something in the background that sounds nice and soothing, building and receding; people who want the listening experience to be like watching clouds floating by in the sky.

Wake up another listenable but nothing special British new wave album

This is #day520 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to a prime example of mid-'80s art pop or prog-leaning new wave, if you will. The Colour of Spring is one of the most exquisite-sounding records not only of the '80s, but in general; music that feels truly outside of time. "Happiness Is Easy," "Life's What You Make It," "Living in Another World," and one of my personal favorites, "Chameleon Day," are all highlights. It's fascinating to witness the band's, or rather Hollis's, transformation here, especially in light of the two albums that followed, known for their stark intimacy and near-deafening minimalism. This is a 5 out of 5, of course. Looking forward to #day521.

nice

I'd never heard anything other than Talk Talk's one radio hit before, so this was a surprise. I enjoyed it but it didn't make a huge impact on me.

liked it but kinda forgettable

Well, this is a surprise... and one I can't see being overly popular with the masses... this challenge really should have included 'It's My Life' (or even 'The Party's Over') for accessibility... but here we are; so let's do this... First of all, I own this album, so I've already had a lot of time to sit with it - and it really does require that level of investment to appreciate it. If this challenge is the first time you're hearing it, and you're racing through it so you can get on with your day, I can't imagine it's going to be a very good experience for you. I've listened to it dozens of times, and parts STILL elude me on occasion (i.e. the post-rock parts). I do generally like this album, though, and, given my exhaustive experience with all five of Talk Talk's albums, I think a 4 is fair for 'Colour of Spring'. While that dreadful post-rock drivel is starting to rear its ugly head here, this album does still have SOME of the pop sensibility of Talk Talk's first two albums (which, let's be honest, weren't overly "poppy", themselves, but they were certainly easier listens). All that said, this album's required commitment to "get it" is a lot to ask, especially in an "album of the day" setting, so I completely understand any knee-jerk aversions it may elicit. Just be thankful it's not 'Spirit of Eden' or 'Laughing Stock' - those would have REALLY challenged you! I, myself, struggled for years with those two, and I ultimately gave up after coming to the realization that, for me, combining meandering noises and random silence isn't abstract art - it's pretentious slop - no matter how hard the snobs try to convince me otherwise.

The first track was a little jarring with what sounded like children singing. Then I got into it, until I got out of it. A mixed bag all around.

Surprisingly - - totally nondescript album. Just finished listening and cannot remember a single tune

I've heard this one before, quite like the new wave, new romantics era

The top comment on YouTube is someone saying that this is their top album of all time, out of at least 2500 albums. I honestly don't know what they are seeing in this tedious softly-sung and synthy 80s mush. I had this at 2 stars until I just got sick of it about halfway through. Nice cover art, though.

I just found this quite boring, and I don't like the singer's voice

Another band that I vaguely remember from the 80s except for the one track that was featured on the GTA Vice City soundtrack. I was initially taken with the laid back, jazzy feel but for reason they decided to stick a primary school choir over the opening track which kind of spoils the mood a little. Guest appearances from Steve Winwood and Robbie McIntosh pull things back a little, nudging this into the ‘cds to play at 80s dinner parties’ category. Not great, not terrible.

Moody and with its own sense of style. But there are few hooks, and lyrics w limited pull.

Ah ouais super ça manquait de new-wave.

6 - AVERAGE

A lot of big noise without saying much. Enjoyable enough with some varied instrumentals though

Not as transcendent as I'd hoped it would be. I love weird music, but this fell short of my standards for both traditional and wildly off-kilter music. Wasn't bad, and was very enjoyable to listen to, though.

It took a few listens for me to “get” this album. It’s pretty moody, so if you’re not in that mode it’s easy to miss. I still prefer more melody and more energy, but I ended up catching the vibe and not disliking it (which was my initial reaction).

Production is excellent, definitely feels like an album you need to be in the mood for.

It is not really a great standout for me. Not bad at all, nice music and good vocals. I just never see myself returning to this. 3/5

kate bush for boys lol

Almost completely passed me by except when I'd be struck by how little had happened on various songs. At times felt like a bit of a link between between 80s and early 90s pop but not in a good way. At others, overtly, annoyingly ambient. Really didn't like this but it's not completely unlistenable I suppose.

Life's What You Make It is the most upbeat song on the album. Whilst a great song, it does put the rest of this dreary, uninspired nonsense into perspective. The blandest, dullest of 80s new wave. I'm quite disappointed.

Another of these immediately recognisable 80s albums that I don't enjoy. I thought I knew what to expect and it lived up to it. I suppose life's what you make it is ok, but wouldn't choose to listen to that or any of the album again. 1

Nice sound, nothing special.

Very much an album of its time. To me it was a bit like a soundscape and not a collection of songs. It was nice.

A good album, I liked Life's What You Make It and Living In Another World the most.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot to say about this album. I liked what I heard, but couldn't tell you that any of the songs stood out to me. It had a good 80s synth rock kind of sound. So maybe underwhelming or not very stand-out to me.

I really enjoyed the start to this album. It definitely falls off a bit in the middle. I liked how Talk Talk took that typical 80s synth pop sound and made it a broad soundscape.

I don't really get it. Seems like just another 80's New Wave record to me.

Really like this album. Very 80’s with a nice mix of different sounds across different songs. Favorites were probably Happiness is Easy and Time it’s Time. 8/10, 4 stars.

The album of a synth pop act transitioning to (arty) pop with no synth. Good but I still prefer both what they did before and after.

Not bad

Musically I quite enjoyed this. It was the vocals that ruined it. I just don't like his voice.

I used to love this album. Not sure how I can then not play it for decades? So it was great to hear it again. ‘Happiness is Easy’ blew me away all over again. The production is just superb. ‘Give it Up’ is the other notable highlight. I won’t leave it as long before listening again.

First time I've listened to this and it is good. I know the big song, I was pleased there was enough variation in their sound to make it a very pleasant listen

Really enjoyed this.

I had expectations because of the It's my life song from the other album that I have in my playlist. But it's soooo chill and calm, which is annoying. Idk. Today is not a chill vibes day I guess, I need more energy in the music. It's a very good album and it's very 80s. 3/5 —————————————— Liked: — Time It's Time

I was thirteen when this came out. I wonder what social scene this genre of 80s music played to, at least in America. This sound was typical of the era, and Talk Talk were a decent band, but I just don’t see where people would flock to it. Now? Sure. It’s a version of yacht rock. I know their hits, so it made it to pop radio, but I’m just not sure I see the audience for this easier version of synth easy listening. Are twenty year olds going to Talk Talk concerts, and at what point do they bail because they’re sufficiently chill? I dig it now, but I can see why these bands get mislabeled as one-hit-wonders or just lost to music history.

Yep, another British new wave album

Ok

I tried to like this album. I had gone on the internet 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.

episode 583257823 of this site having me bugged, i decided i finally needed to catch up on the pre-spirit of eden talk talk records, listening to its my life Literally The Moment that i unveiled this record. separated from the merits of the individual records (which are high!!!), i think what impresses me most is that it really is just a far more perfect gradient then i ever could have imagined...every record is literally an Exact iterative step on the bridge from the debut to laughing stock, in a way that kinda freaks me out. its such a full and robust and wholly satisfying set of albums...and this exact middle point contains every strength i could possibly have wanted from it, using patience and spiritual ecstasy to somehow hone the impact of the pop appeal...extracting Strong Reactions and enveloping dreams every bit as much as u could want from the whole pop school of thought, all while never being halted by convention. possibility-expanding, with some of the best sonic worldbuilding ive heard for the first time this year. best band ever energy.

Their singer has such a cool voice. Cool album all around.

Talk Talk were MTV mainstays so I was familiar with their more top 40 friendly stuff, but by the time this came out I was in full blown teen rebellion against synth pop. Its definitely an interesting listen all these years later. Most of the songs don't really "land" for me, but still I respect it and wish there was a '2.5' rating I could dole out here.

Yeah pretty good. Very pretty songs, singing, and playing.

-this was my first time listening to Talk Talk’s older / less experimental and jazzy stuff. i actually had no idea they did synth pop -definitely a really solid album. one of the more interesting new wave works i’ve heard, though it didn’t stand out to me nearly as much as their later work. been a pleasure exploring their discography tho -Favorites: I Don’t Believe In You, Life’s What You Make It

Meh

3.5 - enjoyed them. Gave me flashes of Tears for Fears.

It was OK. 2

meh dramatic 80s crooning

How did I miss this album? Fantastic, well worth your time and attention.

Love how this record sounds, and how experimental and wandering it felt, while staying rooted in 80s pop sound

Sure it sounds good, but it also kinda doesn’t.

liked some songs but singer wasn’t rlly my vibe

Cool arrangements, instrumentals, vibe. But not the voice.

A totally biased 5... Spirit of Eden & The Laughing Stock need to both be on here instead tho.

Nice positive sunny vibes. Very beautiful album cover. Fav song - 'Living In Another World'.

Sort of the opposite of Jack Elliot really, in that I thought I'd really like this, and it was just very, very OK. Nice, really, but not at all inspiring or that interesting.

3 stars. Might need a few listens to get into it

A quintessentially three-star album: Good musicianship but songs I can't remember 24 hours later.

This album could cure insomnia

That was an album. It had some songs on it. Some were ok.

Not a fan! I'm sure other people like it for their reasons

I forgot I loved this music in college.

Nine surprise

This album has the feel of a very accomplished band. It has a sort of easy going vibe that makes it sound like they're not trying too hard to make a pop hit. The production is great; it sounds 80s but not too 80s, thanks to the relative lack of synths. I also enjoyed the variety of interesting instruments (Spanish guitar, harmonica, recorders) that give the album variety but never sound gimmicky or an after thought.

Tämä oli parempi kuin odotin. Ehkä jopa voisi palata uudestaan äärelle. 3/5.

80's treasure. However, this is album doesn't have the greatest hits.

Liked this one a lot, really good production and interesting songs

I liked this album fine. It was different than what I was expecting from Talk Talk. I was expecting more of an upbeat new wave album but this was more of a mellow and moody new wave album that left me underwhelmed. Maybe I’ll give this another listen someday and my opinion will be different but this just fell flat for me.

nice sounding album, nothing jumped out at me

2/5 - Living in Another World was fairly interesting, apart from that I found it pretty boring

Never heard of this artist. Interested to see what they are about. A bit mellow for my taste.

not for me

Absolutely terrific.

There's a lot of interesting music on this. However, the songs are a little too long for what they offer, and the vocals are just not great. To be totally honest, this would receive a higher rating if it wasn't the 327th 80s British new wave album I've gotten on this list. Can we please have more variety??? 2.5/5.0: Mixed

this is a really well done album that just isnt my taste. on the right day it could be a 4 for me but unfortunately thats not today

All of the songs are pretty long so even though there's only 8 songs it'll still take almost an hour to listen to. Psychedelic sound, had a hard time understanding the words so it was perfect to listen to while getting some work done.

This was a pleasant surprise. It felt like variations on a theme, but it was a good theme.

Definitely gives off 80s pop vibes, synthy and flashy.

Solid!

Another British synth pop band that sucks donkey farts. Thanks, but no. 1

Before arguably pioneering post rock on their next album, Talk Talk took the same attention to textures and atmosphere and applied it in a pop context here. The result is one of the most stately and meticulous pop albums I've heard, and an album that still manages to be catchy and exciting despite that. These songs take their time to unfold, luxuriating in the carefully layered percussion and guitars. When they hit their groove, with a wide range of instruments - piano, harmonica, cow bells - in the mix, they feel like a tasteful version of 80s pop excess. Despite everything going on, it always feels lively and never feels overengineered. The vocals drip with yearning and passion. Maybe not as immediate as a lot of 80s pop, but definitely more rewarding when you get lost in it.

I expected more because I loved their other albums (It's My Life is the best!!) But was really underwhelmed by this unfortunately

This one had the deck stacked against it: not only is it a transitional album between their disposable pop era and the well-regarded post-rock period that I don't particularly like, but I also had heard it before and didn't remember liking it all that much. But I'm pleased to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this relisten! It's got some pretty orchestration going on, and most importantly, it actually does have melodies! I'm still not totally sold on Mark Hollis's voice, and I'm shocked that the band got any amount of commercial success with it, but it's not a huge dealbreaker. Could totally see myself going on to reevaluate the post-rock stuff now that I'm enjoying this one, maybe?

I just can't get over the vocals.

This is a good album. Though I am a child of the 80’s I do not recall listening to this album. For me Talk Talk had already peaked a few years before. Giving this a generous 4 stars with intent to listen again.

i did enjoy this, it makes me wanna go back to the last two talk talk albums and see if i had missed something

Lays the groundwork for two absolute classic albums to come. Doesn't quite reach the peak of those two, but still worthy of a 5 for me.

I’m gonna call this genre ‘deconstructed new wave’. These guys are happy to pick at the tropes of their sound, happy to give their songs some length & room to breathe. For that bit of experimentation, I commend them. But at the end of the day this is still a relatively unremarkable new wave album on this list. The more of these I hear, the less likely I am to latch onto anything from this sound or time.

Solid album effort. Enjoyed their sound.

4.5/5

There is just one single by the British group Talk Talk (It’s My Life), and it’s not on this album. Overall the music is ok, however nothing stood out as above average.

I guess so. Very British: "take care of [clause]", [beɪ.bl̩]. Like Moby meets Depeche Mode meets The Bible. It's OK. Highlight: 'Give It Up'

Hmmm buvo okay, pasirodo jie parašė it's my life. Pagrindiniam daininikui pasirodo labai nepatinka sintezatoriai, bet jų žinomiausia daina labai jais paistelkus. Juokinga, kad no doubt padarė perdarė tą dainą geriau ir be sintezatorių.

Вполне адекватная музыка, но желания слушать её не возникает

Этот альбом из их пяти мне нравится, наверное, меньше всех. Поэтому немного странно, что его выбрали. Но это все равно супер музыка где-то на грани между нью-вэйвом ранних альбомов и пост-роком последующих. Лучшая песня - Life's What You Make It.

Here is another album in the "1001 Mediocre British Pop Rock Albums You May, or May Not Want To Listen To Before You Die". Favorite Track: "Happiness Is Easy".

Sounds like most other British 80s new wave bands. Not bad but didn’t blow me away.

There’s better Talk Talk stuff out there, alas I do quite enjoy the ending of the closing track

Never actually heard this album, but heard a couple of songs over the years. "Life's what you make it" is still a great song.

Really good in places. Singles are still top notch.

7/10

I don’t know, kinda Peter Gabriel lite?

Thought you said trash talk

A nothingburger for me

Why is this on here?

Picture the scene: it's summer time, you're cruising along the streets on your pink moped, sun shining, wind in your hair, Hawaiian shirt billowing in the breeze, Vice City cops on your tail. Mark Hollis is on the radio singing "Baby, life's what you make it, celebrate it". Good times. If you were making a movie (or a GTA game) and had a scene that was set in the 80s, the best way to let your audience know the era they're watching is simply by playing "Life's What You Make It" by Talk Talk. It's pure 80s nostalgia. The rest of the album, had some interesting moments that bordered on jazz at times, but a lot of less interesting moments too. The move from synth to instruments was a good one for Talk Talk, to modernise their sound, yet this still feels so of its time, that in my mind, it'll always be part of the soundtrack to Vice City.

Fabulous voice. A bit ponderous and slow, but well-crafted.

First, I adore Talk Talk. It's not on this album, but they have one of the best songs to come from the 80's - "This is My Life", which captures desperation and raw emotion in the vocals and instrumentals. They are mosty regular family guys who liked making music, had music videos that featured wildlife documentaries, and later on let go of what was popular to go all in with the experimental/art rock route. Oh, and I love the artist for all of their album covers. All of their album art gives a sense of nostalgia, though I wasn't even alive for much of their musical career. In this album though, they really set themselves apart from their previous new wave/synth/new rom musical roots and from the many other bands in this genre. Here, they removed all synths. Many of the singing feels like diary entry narration and does feel like a new beginning, or a new spring. Letting go of synths, letting go of 80s trends, letting go of your old self - to finally learn and lean into who you really are. And now, let's take life by the horns ("Life's What You Make It"). My favorite track is "April 5th." I love the mystery and subdued nature. So pretty when Hollis goes high. This track and "Chameleon Day" are sneak peaks to their more experimental music work. I love how Talk Talk is inspired by the books and philosophers they read, with themes of existentialism and transcedentalism in a lot of their music, like "Living in Another World." My second favorite track is "Give It Up", with the organs and earnestness in Hollis' voice. And then there's some interesting spiritual stuff that I don't quite understand? With the religious musical overtones (organ) and the track of "I Don't Believe in You", etc. Such a Shame this band is not as big or recognized as they should be (RIP Mark Hollis).

Another annoying male vocalist, 2/5

I can't get a read on this album. I generally didn't like it, at least the vocals and lyrics. But the instrumentation was actually kind of lovely. So, if you can deal with the vocals (which isn't something you should have to do for music), I can see why you'd enjoy this. I'm giving it 2.5 stars, rounding up to 3 stars.

Didn't know what to expect. At first it threatened to be interesting...interesting. Interestingness was chain it, but, it was faster.

I yawned through most of this album. It really didn’t do anything for me at all. It’s not offensively bad, just super boring. Not what I loved about 80’s music at all growing up.

Neutral. However, the harmonica solo in "living in another world" was quite nice. 2,7

1.5

can't beat this review. spot on. "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." the fact that they referred to satie and debussey as inspiration is offensive...

It’s got a vibe to it, some good moments, works when you’re looking for something lighter.

Gave it a couple tries but nothing stuck. Didn't hate it but it didn't penetrate.

This is good. I hadn’t heard this one though I remember some know nothing Australian critic complaining about all the ‘talking’ bands like ‘talking heads’, ‘I’m talking’ and ‘talk talk’. All of them used ‘Talk’ in their name. Every band. Idiocy. Anyway enough of stupid critics. I should have disliked this. But I didn’t. Is it must listen? On balance yes there’s room for this. I think. I’d prefer level 42. But this isn’t awful. 3 stars

Yada yada.

I hear the words "sophisticated art-pop with jazz influences" and I reach for my vomit bucket. Actually, I don't mind 'Life's What You Make It' -- that's a pretty good tune. And I appreciate the use of 'real' instruments, which makes it more listenable than many records of the era. Steve Winwood's organ playing is reliably strong. But a lot of this is just a wash.

Fine

This was ok. Nothing spectacular, didn't grab my attention, didn't bore or offend Mr.

Eh it’s not bad but not particularly memorable. Kind of poppy for new wave. No standout tracks that I either loved or disliked.

Not the Talk Talk that I remember but still really liked the album. I like the lack of synths and the use of physical instruments.

Brilliant!

Too emo

I knew Talk Talk from their hits,as all,but never ever had i heard of this album or this U-Turn in their career which is a historical moment for them.This album is exceptional,well made,well played and surely well produced.Top quality.Again,thank you list! The songs now: Happiness Is Easy,from the beginning with the extended drumming you feel it coming.What a beautiful unique song.Devastating pads,children choir,groovy jazzy bass,great balearic guitar,some bongos involved and exceptional vocals.Creative as hell. I Don't Believe In You,a more straightforward rock number,but again so beautiful,the guitars amazing,resulting as a whole to a very dreamy song. Life Is What You Make It,Hacienda vibes,again amazing guitar and repetative but addictive piano,actually there is an overlay of a second one at some point and of course pads that make it more emotional. April 5th,electronica vibes intro,then unfolds with emotional pads and piano,extremely beautiful and clear vocals,blissful atmosphere with distant trumpets,delayed sensual hihats or breathing sample or maybe both,organ keys here as well gives a love and religion kinda feel.Balearic sparse guitar fragments exactly where needed. Living In Another World,emotional from the beginning with pads and piano,exceptional drum machine usage exchanged at times or topped with percusion,new wavish guitars,ending with harmonica or trumpet solo.heaven. Give It Up,pop rock with distinctive,awesome piano and organ keys at times,awesome guitar part added in the middle and towards the end.Brilliant song as well. Chameleon Day,starts organically with piano and again distant trumpeting,progresses melancholically until the singer shouts at times giving it tentions without changing.My least favourite. Time It's Time,great start with rhythmic elements and strings,progresses adding snare,guitar and choir giving it tention and comes back again to the start.Then comes back again.The harmonica part is pure bliss.Genius.What a closing song.There are intentional detunements in several organs that adds to the creativity.Even flute is added towards the end,i mean what else? Not only didn't this album bored me but on the contrary i felt it ended too soon..I need more of this! What an album,what a band,reinvented themselves courageously in 86' where synth was the king but they dropped it.And my god in their case that was a genius move! 5/5

To those that were taking notice, Talk Talk were on their way towards superstardom. To those that were paying attention, however, Talk Talk were about to disembark from such a path and go on to make their own way that provided a blueprint for many like-minded bands to follow. The Colour of Spring, from blissful start to finish, is Talk Talk shedding the digitized skin in favor of something more flesh and bone and warm-blooded and refined. This is them believing in themselves enough to cultivate a soundscape that isn't complex while simultaneously sending signals for what was to come later on. Favorites: Happiness is Easy, I Don't Believe in You, Life is What You Make It, April 5th, Give It Up, Time It's Time.

Meh. Too much milquetoast British rock on this list.

Every time I thought this album was anything less than great, I got pulled back into its greatness. Now it isn’t necessarily my go-to sound, but I enjoyed the whole thing and that closing track is an absolute masterpiece.

Beautiful sound and the lead has a unique voice, just not exactly my cup of tea

Good little album

80s synth pop. About time. Another solid 4.5 rating to an album I’ve not listened to in full before today. Well aware of Talk Talk, but I assumed they were another Duran Duran/Human League/insert New Wave band here clone. I was wrong.

Like the best easy listening you've ever heard. Was this really released on jan 1? Cool album cover :) FOUR!

yeah was ok

Easy to forget

Talk? Talk!

Cool

This didn't really resonate with me. It's clear Mark Hollis has an incredible voice; both robust and haunting. The compositions seem complex and layered. I'm sure musicians and producers have a lot to like about this album. For me, it felt like a challenge listening to it. The melody and tempo of songs would change on a whim which felt confusing and aimless. It felt like improvising with no sense of direction. At times, I honestly just felt bored. I give kudos to any band or artist that is willing to abandon the style that made them famous in order to create the art they truly want to make. That's about the best I can say about this one.

I liked the organ

Such a pleasure to listen to. Opening track is pure gold. The album tends to snooze here and there, and vocals can be a strain sometimes but other than that.. amazing

2.1 1x not bad, just the 80s sound not my thing

I saw Talk Talk when they open up for Berlin in the 80. Their song It’s My Life was big. They never reached the level of recognition in the US as in England it seems. I do really like the sound of the lead singer. He always sounded like he was straining a bit to sing, but it worked somehow. I was not at all a fan of the slow songs on this album, unfortunately there seemed to be a lot of those. A rather drab album overall. Highlight for me is Life’s What You Make It - which I had heard before.

Holy crap, an album couldn't be more 80s, that vocal style...

M'ha agradat, es un grup que podria escoltar. Sobretot la darrera cançó del disc: "Time it's over", te un so de flauta que m'ha agradat molt.

Yeah, it’s not the most interesting one for me, but I didn’t hate it at all. Low 3 i think.

I always liked Talk Talk. There are some of their best songs on this album, especially Life's What You Make It.

Another 80s album. Not much else to say - not a fan.

I'm happier to see this on the 1001 list than any other album so far. I was 17 when this was released and already a Talk Talk fan. I knew and liked their early hits. They seemed different to most electronic 80s bands, cool but intelligent, great tunes, great basslines. Mark Hollis was an intriguing front man. Synths were big in the early 80s so their general sound was not unusual. Then they released 'Life's What You Make It' with that piano riff, or is it a piano bassline? And the great guitar, the woodland video, the whole sentiment. 'It's My Life' to 'Life's What You Make It' doesn't sound like much of a shift, but something was happening, a change in their sound. When I played the B-Side 'It's getting Late In The Evening' I was blown away. Then the album was released and I couldn't stop playing it. From the opening seconds it demands your attention, and rewards those who really listen. It's so rich, so textured, so emotional. It defies definition, there are some conventional songs but many moments where percussive texture and feel take over. I won't pick out tracks, that seems pointless. But the album flows brilliantly, often slowly, and reveals itself the more you listen. It opens, and closes beautifully. Spring may be a theme but it sounds beautiful on this Autumn evening. I think it has many themes, but rebirth and redemption are certainly among them. Looking back this can be seen as a bridge to their later work. The album which followed it is astonishing, and is rightly lauded, but at the time, and now, this is wonderful in its own right. They really were amazing. I can't think of any band that developed and matured musically as much as Talk Talk, except maybe The Beatles. In some ways I think they deserve to be better known, but they chose their artistic path and I'm glad they did. I'm glad their later work now is now respected, but sad that Mark Hollis is no longer with us. I think this was among the first dozen albums I ever bought, their music opened my mind to what art can do, the beauty within.

Very 80s. All a bit drowned out and his voice isn’t the best.

The music was decent and atmospheric but on the whole I found this boring. It might have gotten 3 stars if not for the singer’s voice which I found rather annoying. Not for me - sorry Dad!

Honestly, its just 80s in that Peter Gabriel way that I'm not caring much for, on top of me not really liking the vocals. They're too anemic and mixed down. I like some of the instrumentals though (Give It Up is a solid one).

Excellent

I don’t like the singing

I had no thoughts or feelings while listening to this.

For a late nineties album, this sounds an awful lot like it came out in the mid-eighties. That’s not a compliment.

Lowkey listless.

This album is just marvelous. With a sound totally differente to Talk Talk's previous works and no track for a happy dances just for listening carefully.

Help me! I’m stuck listening to this album and I don’t know why it’s here.

Didn't love this on a first listen but it kind of grew on me. Was tossing up between 3 and 4 stars.

Bland and vapid pop with boring emo singer.

being a bit generous here but i was pleasantly surprised by this kind of cool new wave adjacent stuff. neat! and tbh i've given 3 stars to albums i was much more "meh" on

avant guard

Super smooth. 80s without sounding dated. Songs are all really easy to enjoy. I don't know why people don't like Mark Hollis' voice. Super unique and adds to the smoothness

Music from the 80s really is the oil to my water ears.

Oh finally. Feels like it's been a long run of meh the past few weeks. The advantage of being much younger than my siblings (almost certainly an accident) is that instead of being into, MC Hammer or 5 Star or anything from the SAW stable, I had a house full of Pink Floyd, The Police, Fleetwood Mac etc And this. This is obviously absolutely glorious. Wistful, emotional with Mark Hollis' vocals vulnerable and powerful at the same time. If you haven't picked up Jude Rogers "The Sound of Being Human" then you absolutely must.

not for me

Amazing

done

Talk Talk is such a cool band! Love this album.

Sounds like what would come on the radio at 10:45pm when your parents took you on a long road trip and they wanted you to finally shut up and fall asleep

Just a great album from a band with a near flawless discography - Living in Another World 🔥 4/5

Really colourful, very 80's, I'm surprised this isn't bigger!

Extremely sounding 80s pop with some minor synth influences. Must say this aged fairly bad. Sounded like a boring version of Phil Collins or Genesis, and I sometimes find their albums quite dull themselves. Tried to pay attention and find something decent in this album, but didn't really manage to.

Had to wonder where I’d heard about this band before, until a quick search on Spotify made me realize they did the original It’s My Life. Honestly, I thought they were a one-hit band, but they actually have quite a few popular songs (none of which I’d heard before). This album features some pretty generic ’80s pop songs. After the first listen, I thought it was fairly bland. I did go back and listen to the hits again, and they’re actually quite good. “Life’s What You Make It” has a very cool and groovy bass hook. “Living in Another World” is another strong track where the vocals really work. Props for the harmonica, too. Going to give it a 3. Cherry-pick the hits and skip the rest.

it was all right

Art pop with a heavy 80's vibe, which I found to be a lot of fun. Favorite track: Give it Up