Reviews (page 6 of 8)
super fun 80s album, I liked it a lot 8/10
Pretty enjoyable! Jammed out while working 8/10
6/10 - It was pretty interesting although not fantastic. Some of the songs hit and a bunch did not. It was similar to some other artists but I could not quite put my finger on it.
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
As far as 80s era albums go, this is pretty good. The instrumentation still has elements of real on it with the electronic contributions (particularly synth) seemingly used as a part of a whole rather than dominating the soul of the album. The vocals are very smooth, lacking the embarrassing squeal that plagued the decade. It would be unsurprising if Seal drew inspiration from this album. Overall, there are times when listening to 80s era music feels pleasantly nostalgic and this is honestly one of them.
love me some new wave, its my life is a banger. unfortunately thats not on this album. nothing on here is really doing much
Entspannter Pop 4/5
Siistit Deep Purple tyyliset urut. Ihan erikoista brittipoppia. Vähän erilaista kuin normaali. Parhaat: Happiness Is Easy, Give It Up
Zoals Bassie al aangeeft Valt me tegen dat jullie geen 5/5 geven hoor
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?
Lekker lekker
Thoroughly surprised that I enjoyed this. Definitely not an artist or genre that I care for. But this album was a bit of a journey. The vocals were a bit lacking... As in they did nothing for me... But the overall feel to the record was great. Music had a soundtrack or score quality to it - minus any orchestration. One song had maybe the coolest harmonica solo ever. Good listen. No need to return to this record but happy to have listened.
I have no strong feelings about this album. It is just your average new wave album, with some interesting sounds here and there. It felt like it would work well as background sound whilst trying to focus, but otherwise, nothing amazing.
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
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.
Experimental Pop, which apparently means excellent soundscape ruined through mediocre vocals.
2. Boring neo new wave.
good enough album, but not really stood out
Great album, great band, great single. But I am a bigger fan of the previous album from them, so 4 stars
fun and interesting even though i wasnt listening too closely, made me want to listen again with more attention
może nawet ciekawa muzyka by była ale straszny meski wyjec jest
Standaard jaren tachtig-muziek, we horen hier niks wat we niet al wisten over dit decennium, een 3 is eigenlijk nog geflatteerd.
"Krijgen we straks ook Rick Astley?" wordt thuis wanhopig geroepen. Het is duidelijk. Dit is weer een typisch jaren '80 album. Niet thuis vertellen hoor, maar ik kan dit toch beter hebben dan tijdgenoten. Het album heeft de volle aandacht gehad. Met uitzondering van die verschrikkelijke hit voelt het gebalanceerd. Nog eens opzetten zal ik het niet. Maar een jaren '80 sound waar ik mij niet echt aan erger. Dat is een prestatie op zich.
Ingetogen, maar toch bombastisch. Introvert, maar toch theatraal. Klein, maar toch breed uitgesponnen. Karakteristiek stemgeluid van een Britse zanger, maar toch goed kunnen zingen. Het somt het allemaal wel een beetje op. De grote hits zijn namelijk wel het bombastische en theatrale, zoals Life's what you make it. Van die typische jaren 80 over the top, waarbij de gitaar alleen maar wordt gebruikt om een grotesk galmende sfeer neer te zetten. Maar het is stiekem best wel ingetogen allemaal. En dat maakt het toch wel extra interessant moet ik zeggen. Waar ik dit vroeger verafschuwde, kan ik hier steeds beter naar luisteren. En ga ik het steeds meer waarderen.
Apart from the hit it didn't do too much for me
I've been getting a lot of music from this time period and in this style.This album certainly stands out among the rest. post rock art pop landmark
Pleasant enough. Doesnt really grab me so to speak but can appreciate their artistry. Just nothing particularly memorable but a pleasant listen.
I fuck with New Wave heavy
Unique sound. I could listen to more of this.
Nice and chill
Talk Talk es una banda que he escuchado muy poco: sólo la ubico por haber leído algo de ella y por alguna que otra canción. Destaco en este trabajo la voz del cantante desde la primera canción y el sonido prolijo y directo de éste proyecto. Buen disco. Por momentos, arriba, pero mayormente tranquilo.
Quite melancholic as always.
I was a fan of their first album, "The Party's Over", but wasn't overly keen on their move to a more jazz oriented sound, but this album isn't as bad as their subsequent album "Spirit of Eden".
Talk Talk is a band that I know from the amazing song "It's my life", but literally nothing else. And although "The Colour of Spring" is as 80s sounding as it gets, plus the vocalist sounds like he urgently needs to cough, it grows on you with every song. Great beats make up at least for 75% of enjoyment on this album, but the overall output is just really good. I'll difinitely remember this band from now on.
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.
Waiting for something that never happens.
The 80s and I have a bit of an on again, off again relationship. This album and new wave in general exemplifies the things I have a few issues with, in particular 80s nu-wave vocals, jangly guitars, 80s keyboards and synths as well as random saxophones/brass. None the less I actually liked Talk Talk and would listen to this again
It's a chill, well produced mid-80s new wave/pop album, enjoyable enough to listen to it once, but I didn't find it memorable or particularly interesting.
Don’t know what to expect. Easy listening and mellow, jazz club/ elevator music vibes. Enjoyable. Michael McDonald??
The sounds of the 80s
V cute but wouldn’t be bopping to this
Its decent but nothing blew me away
..
This had a lot of Tears for Fears vibes with none of the energy. Every song just kind of meandered. No jazz chords to be found here, perhaps reviews meant to say it's jazz-prog-pop? In any event, I don't think I'll listen again. 2/5.
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.
I only knew a couple of singles from this band. The singing is instantly recognizable; the music lovely most of the time. Attention is not completely maintained over the full record, so I leave it at 4 stars.
This felt like a much more chilled out album from Talk Talk compared to their other records. I liked it, and Life's What You Make It is a banger
If I would ever be into this album at any point in my life it would be right now, and it just didn't land with me until the very end when it started to click. Real conflicted on this one.
Couldn't get into it
Another bland 80s brit album. I know it inspired bands I like but I couldn't get into it. Mark Hollis's voice is grating. Pass.
Before this the only thing I knew about Talk Talk is that Laughing Stock is supposed to be great, one of few albums that went into ridiculous production hell and came out good. Colour of Spring didn't do that much for me so I took this as a reminder to go hear Laughing Stock, and then Spirit of Eden. I think either of the other two are things you hear you should hear before you die, and Colour of Spring is not, but it's the only one on the list. Colour of Spring: 2.5/5 some cool stuff but the sounds are too sterile, the consistent electronic beat doesn't help this music and smothers the best moments. Laughing Stock: 3/5 I don't see yet what makes this so amazing but it was interesting and I'm open to the idea that it'll grow on me. Spirit of Eden: 4/5 this one was real cool. excellent guitar sounds. Desire very Velvet Underground-y, does a cool transition from that right into something very different that I can't recall anyone else pulling off. I swear that somewhere in this I heard the same song twice, something with the same vocal phrase followed by a harmonica interlude, but I will probably not be jumping back to Colour of Spring to check. talk: talked. (⌐■_■)
Maybe a week back I said New Wave has to be a bit gothy or punk to be good. This is new wave right? It’s not gothy or punk, and it’s pretty cool. Consider this the upper bar maybe. For non-gothy or -punk new wave.
I liked the original songs vs the remastered.
pleasant musik
Nett
Now this is how you do 80s pop! Mark Hollis had such an instantly recognizable voice. 'Chameleon Day' seems a bit out of place and sort of kills the vibe a bit.
We should all be happy that Mark Hollis led Talk Talk in new direction on The Colour Of Spring. His progressive view on 80’s pop brought out some of the most unique pop records of that century. Not everything is a perfect home run on this, but the vision and result is great nonetheless.
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 admit I didn't listen to it all, but I couldn't get into it. Rating would probably change if I give it another go.
Ok, not very special though, just background music
Take Pink Floyd, strip away some of the things that make them great, add Michael Bolton on vocals, and voila!
Well, the art is really cool. Not quite a Cure or Depeche Mode kinda thing but I think it could be in the same neighborhood.
Never heard of this and I did not enjoy it much. Competent writing and performance, but just seems like a clinic on fitting every '80s pop-trope that I can't stand into one album. Reminiscent of a lot of other bands from that era, but with nothing original to make it stand out on its own. Total snooze-fest for me.
Itz alright! Sorta boring but at least 3 songs made up for that
I think the only Talk Talk song I'd heard before was "It's my Life" and then, only because of the No Doubt cover. This album was fine. The songs all felt like 1-4 minutes too long, but otherwise inoffensive. Will probably not come back to this one.
Boring.
Eenvoudig album, geen poes-pas. Klinkt prima. ***
already listened. not as good as laughing stock but my second favourite talk talk album
Yawn. Boring forgettable 80s British new wave. The album is a good length but the songs are too long and just nothing feels like it goes anywhere. 2.5/5
A great album but some songs where too sad. Sorry!
Through its fusions of jazz and art pop, Talk Talk create a work that feels simultaneously sensual and mysterious
5/10 I like life's what you make it. the rest of the songs are pleasant enough and would be all the rage if I lived in a sleepy village and didn't have a job to do. 4-11-2024
It seems I can handle his voice for exactly one song. First song was great, then it just got grating.
Good listening, but not super interesting lyrically or musically. Songs have a tendency to drag a little.
Very 90s techno-sounding, early MTV sounding British synth pop.
This album reminds me of the "Tears for Fears" album in the book, because it contains a small amount of really good songs that all seem to come close to the 5-minute mark. This is an observation and not a criticism. Okay, maybe it is a criticism because the songs can become very repetitive towards the end. Good songs and I enjoyed the sound. This is my first experience with Talk Talk and it was a good experience. I cannot say I would listen to this album frequently, but I also would not turn it off it were on. This music is right down my alley in terms of the sound.
Felt this deserved several listens and it got better each time. Delish instrumentation & arrangements. Highlight - Life’s What You Make It.
The singer sounds like Elvis Costello! I think I enjoyed some of it but wouldn’t ever put it on again. I think I could die without hearing this one.
1. hapynezz iz eazy - 1 2. dont believe in you - 1.5 3. lifez uuhat you make it - 1.5 4. april 5th - 1.5 5. another uuorld - 1 6. give it up - 1 7. chameleon day - 0 8. itz time - 1.5
Unsure why it’s on this list, just another mediocre album really
This is like Peter Gabriel, but more boring.
nice and peaceful
Living in another world is a banger. The rest was also a nice listen.
could be a 1.5 just because it wasn’t korn but this did nothing for me. could i write poetry to this? n
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.
3 songs in and I’m extremely bored. Does not bode well. This album was awfully dull
I didn't enjoy a single note of this.
good background sounds while working
I haven't thought about this album since 1986 never mind heard it. So good!
Non è molto il mio genere però è abbastanza chill. quindi è comunque da 3
The Colour of Spring is interesting enough in places to make it stand out a bit but ultimately not enough to save it from falling into the pile of stuff from the 80s marked 'why is this here?'. Living In Another World is the best of the three most listened-to songs, but the track that I liked most was I Don't Believe In You, and even then the guitar work that elevates it near the end really comes across as a poor attempt to ape Dire Straits' Brothers In Arms from a year earlier. 2.
We really are in a bit of a rut. This is pretty generic, 80s new wave, heavy on the generic synth, light on anything interesting. Tracks are all a minute too long at least, there's not much in the way of variety. Fine, but not good. 2/5.
Nice album, sounds a little dated in 2024.
not good
Interesting elements, but couldn't really get into it
Artpop mixed with jazz, inspired by Debussy and Bartok got me setting very high expectations for this. Although very good my expectations weren't met. I think I need a few more listens to really uncover this but I'll be looking into more of talk talk's work.
Kæmpe hit album. Det var lidt tungt i starten, dem kan man sikkert lære at elske, men stort set resten var super fint! Det kan namt være jeg vender tilbede til den en dag. 👌
Lidt for meget 80er synth og elektroniske trommer. Ikke helt nok følelser der flår i mig. Der er nogle gode melodier, men leveringen bliver for pæn og overfladisk
Aburrido
Band is ok, but the lp isn't catchy at all
Not sure I had to listen to that
It was very meh.
Tämä on hyvä albumi vihamaani genreä.. Kappaleet on taitavasti konstruktoituja.. Välillä knopflerin bändi tulee mieleen... Välillä' mietityttää kappaleiden syklisyys.. PÄÄ* MENEE SEKAISIN..Mutta paketti on mojova esitys
really nice album but maybe a bit less interesting than their later works. no real highlights or lowlights, whole album was enjoyable. strong 7/10
Solid stuff. One big vibe
Second album in a row with these timid mumbly vocals and I don't really care for it. It kind of has a similar problem that Michael McDonald has with articulation. Musically this one is better, and there are better moments than others, but those better moments are a let down once the vocals don't meet the build up of the instruments. I'm sure this isn't the most PC take, but it reminds me of Peter Gabriel if he had a stroke. Favorite track "Time it's Time" 2/5
80's new age. 2/5
Musically listenable, vocally dissonant. Gave it an extra point for the one good song I know.
Although I liked it musically I found his voice grating.
This is awful.
Good music... enjoyed the blast from the past ... Some songs are vaguely familiar as it was not my usual genre of music.
That’s why I love this app, would’ve never stumbled across this group … they’re very 80s , with a touch of the Smiths — I could totally hear where Maynard Keenan from Tool /Perfect Circle may have gotten some of his influence
en ganska stark trea ändå. tydlig 80-tals vibb men inte så glättigt vilket uppskattas.
Talk talk is one of those bands I can't really get into. The music is good, but the vocals are too underwhelming and washed out. That is the case with Laughing Stock also the case with this album. 3/5
2+
Meh, not horrible not great
s'ok
I liked Happiness is Easy, Life's What You Make It, Give It Up, and Time It's Time. The album dragged at times but had a few songs I enjoyed and added to my 'liked songs' playlist. I probably won't put it on again, but won't be unhappy if I happen to hear the songs. 6/10
Art Vs Commerce. A pyrrhic victory, I fear. Still...
As Amazon may have said, “If you enjoy Tears for Fears, you might also like…”. Or may that’s a little too glib as this album has so much to offer: multi layered, richly produced and a showcase for multi-instrumentalist Mark Hollis. This is so much more than the earnest electro-pop I was half-expecting, what with its echoes of the likes of Astral Weeks and Sketches of Spain(!). Fine album.
'I believe in you' was pleasant enough with some chunky guitar. All the rest is pretty forgettable. The British centrist nature of this list is getting tiresome. This is a mediocre 80's pop band. The official list has one Tom Petty album, no Hot Tuna and incredibly no Professor Longhair. Talk, Talk more like Sleep, Sleep 2*
This sound is what I think the 80s sounded like. It was alright
lovely album, kinda groovy but not too heavy. 3 stars.
It's My Life is way better. This was just boring
Not bad
Of the 80s Brit Pop I’ve been getting lately this was not the worst.
Another one I could listen on repeat.
Ohhh Talk Talk... I've heard many great things, but haven't listened to them much. Sounds very 80's so far. It's good overall. Feeling a 3.
Honestly, I had this album on as background music while I was working. It didn’t have the songs I expected, but I still enjoyed the listen. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid.
Alright. Forgettable.
A definite shift from their initial poppy work. The tighter constraints of that are forsaken for a number of earnest rambling extensions. The fun and froth now gone. Not an enjoyable experience.
Excellent
Ok
It was not bad. I was surprised how many songs I liked.
A pile of meh. I don't get this, why is this here? Another album that just kind of came and went.
Really wanted to like this, but still sounded overly synthesized. 2 stars
jeg har en ret høj tolerance for new wave, særligt albums med et nummer der var på soundtracket til GTA Vice City!! (life's what you make it). Så jeg nød egentligt albummet, ikke noget problem der, synes bare ikke den hører hjemme på listen
Vildt lækkert lyd og vildt god stemme. Groovy. Har ikke hørt den her før, men har hørt de to næste Talk Talk plader ret meget. Kan bedre lide dem tror jeg, men det her var mere catchy.
Virkelig forglemmelig.. Jeg ved ærlig talt ikke hvorfor den er på listen..
With the change in instrumentation such as wind instruments, organ and acoustic bass, this album moves towards Talk Talk’s later more musically impressionistic material. At the same time, the use of dance rhythms and catchy choruses keeps it connected to their poppy past work. Essentially, this album is a transition between the two eras of the band, seemingly disparate, but as this album reveals are more compatible than they would seem. Rather than a radical shift in direction, the group’s sound is undergoing a, as the butterflies on the cover suggest, metamorphosis. And as a well as this album works as a bridge between two worlds, if you choose to stop at the bridge on your journey you’ll find the view is beautiful all in itself! This album conjures a certain mood, not quite achieved elsewhere by the band. A unique and lovely musical experience. R.I.P Mark Hollis
Trevlig skiva
Sounds like a Roxy Music clone….well produced and catchy, but sounds very much like Roxy Music…I wonder how the timelines sort.
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.
"The Colour of Spring" is the third studio album by English band Talk Talk. Bandleader Mark Hollis wanted to move away from their previous synth-pop music to using more organic instrumentation. New wave, art pop, progressive pop and experimental pop are appropriate assignments of genres for this album I guess. This album is considered a bridge from the aforementioned synth-pop to their later, more improvised work. A number of additional musicians are used from the core trio including Steve Winwood (organ), the Prentenders Robbie McIntosh (guitars) and producer Tim Friese-Greene (piano, synth, organ, Variophon and Mellotron). Besides Hollis, Talk Talk is Lee Harris (drums) and Paul Webb (drums). This was their best selling non-compilation album hitting #8 in the UK (#58 in the US). You get a sense of what Hollis was going for right away in "Happiness is Easy." A drum beat and percussions. Acoustic guitars. Hollis' voice. Winwood on the organ. This is very sparse and desolate. Strings (synthesized) are added later on to give it a jazzy feel. It's about blindly following religion. Hey, there is a song most everybody has heard in the first single "Life's What You Make It." Piano, guitar, organ and percussion. I always liked this song. A self-explantory title for the song's meaning. The first song on the second side, "Living in Another World," woke me up. It's a standard rock structure song and organ driven. It's busy compared to everything else and has a groove. The album closes with "Time It's Time." This is very dreamy. Percussion and soft piano. Hollis signing softly. A backing choir later on. A message of hope: " Time it's time to live." This album is stark and beautiful. The organ gives it an air of soulfulness. It's also jazzy in spots. There's some spirituality in the lyrics. You defintely see the music transition towards their last two brilliant albums "Spirit of Eden" and "Laughing Stock" but this one is worth a listen to as well.
This is a weird album to review. All the songs almost felt like they blended which is odd since there are a few that sound very different. This is kind of interesting. Don't regret listening, don't think I'll come back to it.
I'm just kind of tired of newave. The production here is on point but the arrangements feel unfocused. They would be fine as soundtrack music that I don't really notice until the harmonica and bongos show up on a track like Living in Another World. Tracks are too long for me today. Chameleon Day is messed up though. Some sort of strange torture that tries to put you to sleep and jolt you awake repeatedly. I have to admit this went slowly down the whole way. Time it's Time.... to end this. Come on guys 8 minutes of this? I'm just not in the mood. 2 stars
Bit too nasal on the vocals. OK songs.
Synthiepop und New Wave. Schrecklich.
It's ok but forgettable
2,5/5 His voice is good and it isn’t so bad, but none of the songs really stand out. It’s okay but nothing special
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
I like their Last two albums better but this one is good too
Very positive like hopecore the album. A good spring album. Didn’t like the children singing backup though
Alright but I wouldn't choose to listen to this again.
I was immediately intrigued. A lovely sonic experience on earphones and I love the Bryan Ferry-esque vocals. The ballads were unfortunate but luckily there were only a couple. Very close to a four for me. 3.75!
Well, this is honestly kind of deflating. I was hoping for my first experience with Talk Talk to be some major, life-changing experience where I opened my eyes to the Joy Division of the late 80s, but this is very dull. Every song has the same production issues that I have with most late 80s album, and while this feels a lot more genuine, often using real instruments, it still has this hint of mainstream appeal that cannot be shaken off. I don't inherently have anything wrong with that, but then I feel it at least has to be catchy, something to grab my attention, and this certainly isn't. Everything flies by and drags at the same time, and never is it a moment to remember one way or another. I'd perhaps look for solace within the lyrics, but they feel unintelligible most of the time, and when I can tune in, they seem repetitive and its hard to discern any meaning behind them. I really am broken up about not liking this, but this album really feels like a colors on the cover, various shades of a muted brown-ish tan, and not much more. There's no vibrancy, no reason to excite, nor any dark colors to bathe yourself in. Its just, there.
Ich kenne von Talk Talk mehr die Single Hits "Such a shame" oder "It's my Life" mit der unverkennbaren Stimme von Mark Hollis. Jetzt ein ganzes Album von Talk Talk zu hören war ein besonderes Erlebnis. Mit so einer Dichte der Kombination von Musik und Stimme habe ich nicht gerechnet. Wie die Songs sich entwickeln, wie die Instrumente und die Stimme eingesetzt werden und dadurch Spannung aufgebaut wird, das ist so überwältigend. "Happiness is easy" und "Time it's time" sind sehr episch, hymnisch aufgebaut. Ein wunderbares Solo in "I don't believe in you". Ich habe diese Gruppe bisher unterschätzt. Jetzt verlangen meine Ohren nach mehr.
not bad but didn't really stand out.
Good 80s pop music. I like it.
I've been waiting for the colour of spring.
Decent album. Terrible internet provider.
is yellow, apparently
Duran Duran x Pink Floyd x R.E.M. Simple piano and some fun bass lines really carry this album for me. Super chill listen.
Vibey
Another perfectly okay one that blends into the background.
Opening track bass sounds great. I can hear the strings bending and vibrating. A chorus of children. Horns. Music as a texture of interwoven sounds. Beautiful album covers as well +500 extra points. Complex music with layers.
i can read about the influence this band has had on later music that i love, but removed from its context, i was struggling to hear what made this album a standout. i liked the music but found the singer's tone of voice to the grating, and the album just made me wish i was listening to Duran Duran instead. The last track "Time It's Time" was my favorite, with the Ambrosian Singers overwhelming the vocalist.
Mostly had a bad time, from some of the stuff I was reading it sounds like they had a bad time making it too. I do enjoy some of their other work though (which would be perhaps much to Mark Hollis' chagrin)
It was okay! I like this style of music (SO 80s), but nothing really stood out to me. In fact, a day late I can barely remember any specifics, so that means it must not have been particularly bad or particularly amazing. I enjoyed the guy's voice, but some of his vocal stylings not my favorite.
kind of a nothingburger for me
this is the most fuckin 80s. i don't think there was anything that I hated but I was fully bored
Sure wish this album had "It's My Life" on it. I enjoy it but confess I'm not sure why it's on here?
This was fine, not very memorable reviewing this after the fact
This is definitely an 80s album, but not that many synthesizers. I was not familiar with any of the songs. I believe I am familiar with the band as they sing It's My Life . It was not bad. It is relatively short at 45 minutes, however, several of the songs still could have been edited down. I would not object to listening to it again, but I would not willfully listen to it again. I will round up.
It is very funny that I keep getting these awful New Wave albums and every time I breathe a sigh of relief that I’ve reached the final song only to see that it’s upwards of 8 minutes.
It was alright for me.
Nothing to write home about with this outing by Talk Talk. An ok new wave pop album that was a bit too much jazz and not enough synth for my liking. Best: Happiness Is Easy Worst: Chameleon Day
Almost a 5!
I wasn't sure about this at first. Reluctantly I let it ride and I was taken for a good one. The vocals are a bit whiny at times, but dude can't help it. This is good music. I love the rolling bass licks and there is some wild polyphonics going on in some of these tracks. It made me think of the Mountain Goats, which is always a good thing in my book
ok
Not really a fan of this, but didn't actively hate it.
I had no idea what I was in for with this. Very 80s sounding. It’s alright but I was sort of bored.
This album was Living In Another World. One that I will choose to Give It Up.
Me lo puse de fondo y no me desagrado, pero tampoco me sorprendio.
Meandering 80s middle road stuff
Not a bad listen. New wave is not my favorite genre of music but this wasn't annoying and a pretty easy listen.
Best Song: Happiness Is Easy. Like for a lot of these middling records, I think I default to liking the first track most because it at least has some novelty for me. After that, it all goes downhill. Worst Song: April 5. This is less a coherent song and more just vulnerable, vaguely-musical moaning. Overall: Feels like a church cover band of U2. There's a song or two that might get my hands in the air, but I'm not putting anything in the collection basket.
Atmospheric synth influenced new wave pop. This grew on me more and more over time. As I listened again to try and find a playlist track. I realised that every song on the record is excellent. A really lovely album. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Give It Up Date listened: 24/01/24
Couldn’t even finish it: just not my sound
Enjoyed this - except for kids choir discordant bit on track 1!
It was pretty nice and somewhat unusual
really exquisite, so much so it’s almost frozen
Talk Talk. Heard of them, know a couple songs. They were not very popular in the US like they were in Europe. I don't know any of these songs. Singles: --------------------------------------- Life's What You Make It (#16 UK) Living in Another World Give It Up (#59 UK) I Don't Believe in You (#96 UK) Standouts: Life is What You Make it, April 5th, I Don't Believe in You, Give it Up 3.5
nice Hammond
Not my music. Sorry ;-)
Meh 1/5
If you're into new wave, this is a pretty solid album.
Unispiring bland pablum. This is the band that gave us 'It's My Life' and the author(s) choose this album? 2.5/5.
Moodiness is intetesting, but it gets boring and repetitive.
I've never listened to so much 1980s music in my life as I have doing this generator. A lot of influential music came out that decade, or so I keep being told. What was it about the period of time between 1983 and 1998 where people were making songs so fucking long? I'm not opposed to songs running longer than the pop-mandated two-minutes-and-fifty-seconds, but I'd like the additional minutes to feel warranted. Their singer has that English New Wave voice. You know what I'm talking about right? That kind of head-voice, almost nasally, a little whiny but a little deep voice, with terrible diction? That's the one. Did all these guys have the same vocal coaches or something, like the 2010s 'indie voice' singers? It's a vocal tone that either communicates immense self-pity or is strangely dispassionate towards what's being sung. I believed this guy not at all when he sang "Life's What You Make It". I like the cover of this album a lot, for whatever that's worth. Overall, a bit of a snoozefest. Highlights: I Don't Believe In You (that guitar solo around the 3:30 mark helped a lot), Give It Up
Glemte å følga med, men pleie å vær kos med Talk Talk
Couldn't make it all the way through this. There are interesting elements, but that drumming style spoils it for me.
Sounded like emotive new wave. Recognised one of the tracks from vice city which was a nice throwback. Last 3 tracks definitely killed any momentum the album had, before then I was quite enjoying it. Middle of the road on balance.
Great work of the time
- Nothing much stood out about this album, but it wasn't bad! - Songs were individually all compelling, but the full package sort of blended together - Good sound
- good vibes - feels like they’re just riffin’ sometimes
Nah.
It's like new wave orchestral pop. It's actually not bad. Similar to Depeche Mode or Roxy Music. Favourite songs: I Don't Believe In You, Living in Another World, Life's What You Make It, Give It Up Least favourite songs: April 5th, Chameleon Day 3/5
Solid pop. The sound seems somewhat ahead of it's time.
Nice to do the Sunday crossword to
I can imagine Patrick Bateman loving this album.
Average nothing to outstanding or hooks of interest.
All the songs sound the same 🥲
Very typical 80's British new-wave, not a genre I particularly enjoy and I didn't think there was a standout track. Life's What You Make It is clearly the most popular from the album but it didn't do anything for me.
Life’s what you make it is a classic pop song but the rest of the album is very different I think it’s going to take a few listens but it is really atmospheric Time It’s Time stands out in particular
this feels like it should be my shit but I am kinda bored. not really getting me this time sorry talk talk
This was great music to lightly doze to
Loved this
Dull.
Dull and dreary and did not like the vocals. Harmonica in one song was cool. Too bad the rest of the music wasn’t better.
There were some cool things about this album. Some interesting drum loops, and I liked some of the music. There was a lot of potential here for a great album. That being said it didn’t feel very cohesive, and the songs needed work. Also, every song was ruined for me because I cannot stand the singers voice! This was the most egregious use of what I’m calling “80s voice” (think Tears for fears), it was unlistenable. This would be a three star with a different singer.
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.
One of the best 80s sleeper hit bands there is
I didn’t mind this album and I really like Life’s What You Make It (which most people already know) but I did find the album was a bit boring if I wasn’t in the right headspace. The album it reminded me of was Madonna’s True Blue, strangely, although it came out around the same time period I guess. Listens: 2 Fave Track: Life’s What You Make It Rating: 3
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.
lowkey talk talk's best. 4.5/5
Good, 80's vibey tunes
Really enjoyed this, good grooves and well produced and mixed.
Some good songs but overall not super special
Ok
I feel like this is teetering on the knife’s edge of interesting and mundane. I think it juuust tilts toward the interesting side, so I’ll give it a 4, but I do wish it were a little more experimental or weird.
Funky, cerebral, and atmospheric. So much more to this band than the hits. An exquisite, elevated pop album.
Tears for fears tekee tämän paremmin, siis tosi kasarin melankolisen musan. He eivät mumise. Tää koliseekin liikaa.
Hetkiä, mutta huono hetki - sointi -suhde.
I thought it was very good, but I don’t see myself coming back to any of the songs; I’m just not a huge fan of the genre
It was serviceable. I think the vocals were pretty annoying and the instrumentals weren’t my style, but it was okay. I don’t think it deserves to be grouped with the twos.
This was alright, but don't see myself coming back to much here.
Not really my cup of tea. It wasn't unbearable, but not something I'd be striving to listen to again. A classic 80's sound really, and I lived through the 80's as a teenager, perhaps that explains my ambivalence towards it :)
listened to again very cool
Mmmm
Nice moody jams. Fav track: living in another world Light 3.5
Call it the mood I was in but I was really worming around to this today. Even with the extended song lengths I only found that a couple of tracks overstayed their welcome. Mostly I was happy to let the vibe wash over me, and was won over by the dramatic vocals. Three and a half. Fave track: I Don't Believe in You
Wasn't blown away, but some moody rhythms to relax into. Seem like an interesting band, curious to see if there are other albums of theirs to get stuck into or if this is the peak for them. Two and a half. Fave track: Chameleon Man
meh
All songs sound 'meh' to me. This must have been a popular album (underground or mainstay) upon release. I just don't dig it. You might like this if you like Tears For Fears or Joe Jackson. Overall: 1/10
Finally got round to listening to it a few years after my friend told me to buy the record. It was pretty good. I’ll hold onto it.
While I love me some 80s New Romantic synth-pop, and indeed some of Talk Talks earlier hits (e.g. "It's My Life") are faves, this one felt a little dreary and I got somewhat tired of Mark Hollis' voice over the course of the album. I realize it's more of an artistic reach and statement, and I appreciate that, but sometimes that isn't what you want to listen to when you're making pie crust.
I didn’t really love this, but there was something kind of drawing me in. This might be one that needs multiple listens to get my full appreciation, but I am sure that I will never take the time.
The lyrics aren’t deep and the bass line is 11 notes repeated half a million times and yet Life’s What You Make It is still a favorite of mine and I will groove out to it forever. The rest of the album is exactly the kind of 80s stuff I’ve never really connected with.
I know a couple of Talk Talk songs and of the two I prefer It’s My Life over Life’s What You Make It. There was a tinge of disappointment when I saw the track list for this album assignment. No matter… this is a great album. It’s a little 80s subdued with harmonica and some great songs! Life’s What You Make It isn’t even in my top two favorite songs on this album either. That was a bit of a surprise. While listening to this I see that Apple Music doesn’t list this as an essential album for Talk Talk, giving that honor to the two albums made after this one. Of the follow up to this, they state “Spirit of Eden is one of the most powerful and singular experiences in modern music.” I’m definitely going to check that out shortly even if it isn’t on this list. I love how not only am I finding new music to listen to but those albums often serve as a jumping off point for new musical adventures. Talk Talk is just another of many musical pathways I would never have thought to explore. I’m excited to have something to investigate! Great stuff!
Great morning vibes.
not really my type of music.
Atmospheric with some dense rockier songs. More dense than Blue Nile, but a similar grown-up serious feel with distinct Bryan Ferry-sounding vocals. Good.
massive single. rest of the album is wet.
Not as good as Alien Nosejob
Coming to terms with the fact that the year that I was born (in fact the decade) produced really terrible music.
I’m a fan of Spirt of Eden so was excited to see a Talk Talk album this morning but then at the same time disappointed to find out Spirit of Eden isn’t on the list. This is a more accessible album than Spirit of Eden, as it still retains some of the 80s synth-pop elements of their previous work. However, it also explores more complex and diverse musical styles, such as jazz, art pop and ambient. The album is beautifully produced, with a rich and layered sound that reflects Talk Talk’s experimental approach and artistic vision. The Colour of Spring is a sonic stepping stone that transcends the boundaries of genre and time. Stand alone this album is a soild 4 stars out of 5, but because the spirit of Eden followed this and it’s not on the list, I’m going to give this album the full 5 stars to make up for that injustice.
Sounds like a one time opener for Michael Bolton.
Iggggh another crappy album
Cool, a chill album
Laimea
Perusmuniinpuhaltelu
Some songs the vocalist reminds me of Peter Gabriel
Very nice
This album was the bridge between the early synth pop success and the later sprawling jazz post-rock albums. Its more of the latter though. Delicate emotional stuff. Strong 4
lifes what you make it ! 3.5
So the headline here is that I didn't really like this, but I spent a decent amount of time reading about it after listening and I'm intrigued by the band. This seems to generally be considered a transition album for Talk Talk. They're arguably a one-hit wonder (It's My Life in 1984), and their early albums are a heavily sythn-pop sound. This is their next album after It's My Life (so it doesn't include the one-hit) and to me it still has quite a bit of the synth-pop that I don't really like. It just sounds really dated to me, and the singer also has kind of an annoying 80s oversinging thing going on. My issue with this album is that it still sounds very synth-pop-80s, but doesn't have the catchy hooks that a lot of this type of music has (that's typically the one saving grace of this style in my opinion). There are a few spots where it moves away from it though, and you can kind of tell that they're trying to not just be a synth band. I really enjoyed Give It Up for instance, I think it showcases the band's talent a lot better. After reading about them, this transition hypothesis seems to be the case. Apparently the singer had no real interest in being a pop star and also really didn't like the synthesizer as an instrument. It's My Life blew up, so they probably didn't want to completely move away from it on their next record (this one), but after The Colour of Spring they seem to completely move away from this type of music. The Colour of Spring had more commercial success than what came later, but it seems like the later stuff had a lot more critical success. Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to get another Talk Talk album on this or not. This one still doesn't really work for me, but I can see how this represents a shift for them away from the musical style that made them big. That's got to be a hard transition to make, so I respect them for giving it a go. Two other minor notes. I really hated the first song (Happiness is Easy), which is never a good way to start. The call-and-response thing with a children's choir just never works for me, bad decision on that one. On a more positive note though, I really like the album cover. Favorite song: Give It Up Other: Life’s What You Make It 10/31/23
It's decent and definitely a product of its time. I bet I would've liked this more if I were around in 1986. Ah well, it's not bad background
I liked it, I wasn't very blown away but there were definitely some cool sounding songs. I think I may come back to this at some point but nothing really grabbed me.
It took a couple of tracks, but eventually I really liked this. Not, in my opinion, as good as Spirit of Eden, but still very good.
6/10. This was a good album, solid and listenable throughout, but nothing stood out to me as great
Bleh. 5/10
Some good tunes on can't knock it. First album I've never heard of though heard of the band. Very American psychoesque. 5.5/10
Very British and very not good.
Beige is not a colour of spring.
Gorgeous album with amazing use of space. Will have to re-listen.
New Wave, Post Punk, Art Pop, whatever... Mostly bland but effervescent in places, rises to high at times but very few and far between
Enjoyable.
It was fine, pretty boring. There was no stand out songs from it really.
Dog
Decent with some songs I liked but a bit boring to me. Rating: 3.5
Talk Talk here deliver a distinctive style which is both classic 80s in the sense that it's synth heavy, metronomic beat and big on vocals, whilst at the same time being strikingly un-80s in its energyless delivery. Obviously 'Life's What You Make It' is the standout track, but for me there's little else memorable about it apart from an orchestra of recorders on 'Time It's Time'
This was a bit of a hit or miss for me. Why does the vocalist sound like he's strangling himself? It's too much of a strain for him or something? I like the children singing in the first track "Happiness Is Easy," and the next two tracks were pretty good, but still it felt like he was straining in his voice a lot. I have to wonder if he can still reach these notes today. Because of that, some of the vocals sounded garbled to me, like in "Living In Another World" and "Time It's Time". What was interesting was the keyboards had an almost vocal-like quality on "Time It's Time," and I almost thought they were singing something. I listened to this album a couple of times because I wanted to like the singer, but I just felt he was trying too hard. Maybe it was me, but that's how I took it. So it was just... ok. The few clunkers (to me, at least) were "Living In Another World" and "Time It's Time". Next.
I love Mark Hollis' voice, so deep and reverberating. And the stripped down musical approach is cool, though I didn't mind their more synth-heavy previous work. And as much as I like the first three tracks Happiness is Easy, I Don't Believe in You, and Life's What You Make It (their big single from this album ), Hollis' vocals do kind of sound similar. I didn't enjoy their next biggest single as much (Living in Another World) - it was okay - or the back half of the album. Again, it was okay, but lost a bit of steam. An enjoyable album and a reminder that they weren't just a one-hit synth wonder with It's My Life, but not a great album by any means.
Talk Talk is an underrated band. "It's My Life" is probably their best-known song (from their previous album and later famously covered by No Doubt), but it's such 80s cheese. This album is at a different level and shows the direction they take with their last couple of albums. Their next album, Spirit of Eden, is my favorite by them. I can see why the 1001 picked this album instead - it's a good cross section of their sound, both where they were and where they were going. Production is still very 80s on some songs (especially the "hits" - Life's What You Make It and Living in Another World. It's probably the drums that make it most 80s), but the songwriting and the vibe are outstanding. It's worth a close listen to really appreciate the composition, the musicianship, and Mark Hollis' fantastic voice (RIP). Favorite tracks: Happiness is Easy (the acoustic bass on this track is amazing. This song really sets the vibe for the album), I Don't Believe In You (really like the understated guitar "solo"...also wild that Steve Winwood plays organ on three songs, including this one. You get Steve Winwood to guest just to play organ??), Life's What You Make It (again, 80s drums, but really good song, and love the David Rhodes guitar part - Peter Gabriel's long-time guitarist), April 5th (beautiful track - definitely moving towards their Spirit of Eden sound), and Time It's Time (excellent closer). Every time I listen to Talk Talk, I want to listen more.
Cool
Amazing production.
Album was alright was glad when it was over and could listen to something super upbeat on the drive to work
It’s not like this album was bad, it was just boring. I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. The atmosphere of it was good and it reminded me a bit of Tears for Fears. 2.5/5
Nothing can get through to me this week. This is another one that lays there like a bunch of dead moths.
First impressions - stately, melancholy, arty New Wave-influenced pop with a tremulous vocal - got me revved up. This is catnip to me, almost laser-tooled to hit my sweet spots. 'Happiness Is Easy' had the dopamine flowing, but then - children! A personal bugbear, but I've never dug the kids. Was The Colour of Spring losing its lustre already? Happily, no - because 'I Don't Believe in You' is as close to a five star track as I'm ever likely to hear. Come the end of the album and I'm deep in the sauce - and a few things stand out. Firstly, the relative dearth of synth, which surprised me as I'd thought of Talk Talk as a synth-pop ensemble. Next, that the late Mark Hollis really does push it where that rather mannered, melancholic style of singing particular to the era is concerned - it sounds like there's a sob permanently lodged in his larynx. But the biggest thing, for me, was what a stellar noise was coming out of my speakers. Rich, layered, complex yet also spacious. The piano on this album positively glows. An absolute joy, and one I'll be purchasing for myself the moment I close this wretched app.
Love the sound but expected more. Needed more snap.
Ok, moet zeggen dat mn humeur dit wel ff kan gebruiken. Dat heeft toch wel effect op hoe nice ik een album vind. Lekker rustige relaxte muziek. Oogjes dicht en wegdromen maar. Jammer dat ik vandaag op kantoor ben,dat dan weer wel.. Ok het is wel heeeeeel erg dromerig. Opzich nog steeds fijn maar elk nummer duurt wel echt heel lang met minimaal 5 minuten nummers. Het kortste nummer is 3:20, en dat is ook meteen het minst beluisterde nummer op het album. Maar zoals gezegd is dit wel echt een prettig wegdroom album, de nummers gaan ook prima in elkaar over. Moet alleen zegggen dat het me niet echt goed lukt om naar de lyrics oid te luisteren. Favo: Happiness is easy, Life's what you make it, Give it up
Oeh alle bekende namen waar ik niet goed naar heb geluisterd worden zo langzaam wel afgestreept, vandaag Talk Talk. Heerlijke vibes op dit album, we gaan op reis met de band. Instrumentatie lijkt nauwlettend samengesteld, de preciesie is indrukwekkend. De lyrics zijn een beetje zoetsappig, maar samen met de instrumenten geeft het toch een oprecht gevoel. Al met al een zeer sterk album waar ik enorm van heb genoten Favorieten: Life's What You Make It, Living in Another World, Time It's Time
Wow this sounds great - lot's of acoustic sounds.
The album started off pretty strong but the back half of songs were a bit weaker.
Ruhiger 80‘ Synthpop mit New Wave Einschlag
Dejligt new wave album, der også trækker godt på andre genrer. Stille og roligt tempo og virkelig behagelig lytteoplevelse. Dog måske lidt for stille i perioder. Mark Hollis har en fed stemme, selvom det virker som om han holder tilbage og man har lyst til at råbe at han skal synge igennem. "Life's what you make it" er bare en rigtig dejlig sang.