Talk Talk

The development of Talk Talk from their first album to their last is the most incredible development of any band ever, I think. The first album isn't particularly strong. It has the odd nice song (I'm fond of the Talk Talk song actually) and Mark's voice of course, but the sound is bad bad synthipop. It's hard to imagine anything more different to the sound and production of Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock than actually Talk Talk's first album.
It's My Life still sounded quite thin and cheesy but already had several examples of amazing songwriting. Actually there's a very nice single "My Foolish Friend", which appeared, I think, a bit later than the first album; this made me aware of them at the time and is the first example of their songwriting competence. Nothing "proggy" but very enjoyable pop music.
The first thing that really blew me away was watching them live, particularly the version of  "Call in the Nightboy", on the tour on which the Montreux CD was recorded. I think it's also on youtube. On that tour, they improved their sound and dynamics big time, despite playing the same songs as before.
"Colour of Spring" then is their first truly excellent album with top notch catchy songs, wonderfully warm and deep sound, and some clear experimental/prog elements.
Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock are then just a league on their own.
Mark Hollis' solo album, by the way, is also great, as are the two .O.rang albums. Pity that both these acts growing out of Talk Talk have ceded to produce stuff.
By the way, Talk Talk are actually very strongly appreciated and pretty well known also outside the Prog world. The really stunning band that nobody knows is .O.rang - check them out! (It seems difficult to get hold of their first CD "Herd of Instinct" which I think is the better one - actually 5 star material in my books.)   

Did I mention that I'm a big fan?

I've never listened to these guys. I only know a hit song called Talk Talk.
Lots of praise for this band I notice.
I'm not immune to 80's synth-pop/New-Wave (I love Kajagoogoo, Haircut One-Hundred, Buggles, Japan, The Cure....) but never looked in to Talk Talk. Maybe it's time........

Goodminton wrote: I think Spirit of Eden is at least on par with Dark Side of the Moon;

Talk Talk.....Eden, Spring and Stock - to me, some of the best music of the 80s/early 90s. Even their earlier albums aren't your run-of-the-mill syth Roxy retread. Didn't know they opened for the Genesis reunion....great prog trivia question.

Goodminton wrote: Anyone else love Talk Talk? They're so underrated, it seems like only musicians have heard of them and if others have heard of them, it's usually only for their single "It's My Life" which while a great song is so far from their best. I consider them the Pink Floyd of the 80s. I think Spirit of Eden is at least on par with Dark Side of the Moon; it would be a toss-up to me which of those two albums is the greatest popular music album ever made. Listening to that album makes my jaw drop in amazement at parts because it's so majestic and epic. It's definitely my favorite album of the 1980s. Their influence is really overlooked too. Not only did they invent post-rock (though I'd give Simple Minds and Tears for Fears some credit too), their music has had a strong influence on Britpop, trip hop, emo and tons of music in general that's been released in the 90s and later. All five of their albums are brilliant in their own way but my favorites are Spirit of Eden followed by Colour of Spring.

I'm so glad somebody finally brought up Talk Talk - Thank you -
Yes I agree they were so underrated and largely overlooked at the time, what with the synth-pop invasion of the 80's - It was the beginning of music videos and the birth of the MTV generation-

Mark Hollis' superb voice was so emotionally intense and powerful I had not heard in a long time-Yet there was something grand, unsettling, but distinct about their music- dare I say even progressive-especially in the title track song, "The Party's Over." I love every track this group recorded-

One side note here-Talk Talk supported Genesis at their "Reunion Concert with Peter Gabriel in October '82 at Milton Keynes, England-

Just bought Spirit of Eden.

I've only really listened to Spirit of Eden and Colour of Spring so far, both are pretty incredible.

tszirmay wrote: You should try the Live in Montreux DVD , showcasing their "poppier" side. Hollis is phenomenal in his delivery, a thrill to watch! "Its My Life"  is a classic album! I have and love them all.

You should try the Live in Montreux DVD , showcasing their "poppier" side. Hollis is phenomenal in his delivery, a thrill to watch! "Its My Life"  is a classic album! I have and love them all. 

Skalla-Grim wrote: I like it too. I know only The Colour of Spring and The Spirit of Eden and even though it's not my favourite music, I think I can understand what is so interesting and influential about it. I plan to continue with Laughing Stock. To be honest, somebody warned me not to buy their older albums, but I think listening to them will not do me any harm either.