TIME IT'S TIME

Do we need another Talk Talk compilation? Well, if you have the band's five original albums, the answer is undoubtedly no. For the casually inquisitive though, the attraction of this set is that it offers a fine taste of the essence of the band at a rock bottom price. Admittedly, there is just one track from the band's final (prog) albums, but the tracks selected here tend to be those on earlier albums which laid the foundations for the band's move away from 70's pop to mood induced melancholy.

Perhaps strangely, it is the band's second album "It's my life" which contributes the most tracks here, a total of five. I say strangely, as that album as a whole remained firmly entrenched in the band's pop roots. The tracks selected here though do combine to show clearly the potential which existed even at that time. Five tracks are also taken from the middle album (middle both in terms of numbers and style) "The colour of spring", including the fine 8 minute song which gives this collection its name.

The compilers, have taken a credible amount of care to ensure that this collection works as a cohesive set. The general absence of the band's hit singles, which would undoubtedly have been the easy option if securing sales was the prime motive, renders this a far more satisfactory listen than it could otherwise have been. With such compilations, we usually have to accept compromises, and in this case it is the total absence of any meaningful sleeve notes.

As a whole, ideal for those looking for a no risk way of giving this fine band a listen.