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| Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring Classification: Pop Band: Talk Talk Tracks: - Hapiness Is Easy - I Don't Believe In You - Life's What You Made It - Living In Another World - Give It Up - Chameleon Day - Time It's Time Recommendation Goes Wright! To the reviewer who said this album was mostly unknown Outside the circle of Talk Talk aficionados, you're in luck! I hadn't even HEARD of The Band until I saw this album mentioned in an interview of Rick Wright, Pink Floyd's keyboardist. On a lark I decided to give it a try--and sure enough, his taste proved extraordinary. "The simplicity of the songs and Mark Hollis's voice make this album just incredible," Mr. Wright had explained to Record Collector magazine. "The first tune, 'Happiness Is Easy', says it all--nothing but a bass, a snare and a weird chord. That's Talk Talk all over, great songs and simplicity with a twist ... Why does it touch me? Hard to say, but it's got the feelgood factor, which all my favourite records have..." From the second I heard the opening to "Happiness is Easy", I knew every word of Mr. Wright's was dead-on accurate. "Colour of Spring" is indeed a most appropriate title--I immediately Felt a sense of gentle, uplifting power coming from the music. Although pensive, sometimes even sad in the lyrics at times, he does not go overboard with it. Mr. Hollis' voice becomes like a musical instrument in its own right, mingling perfectly with the open, never overpowering musical arrangements. Particularly striking about this album are the Hammond organ played by Steve Winwood, which floats gently in the background and provides each track is atmosphere. The acoustic guitar and piano seem to dance gracefully in and out of the songs. Overall, Colour of Spring is incredibly soothing, but without putting the listener to sleep. This is the perfect album to unwind from a stressful day, and definitely a recommendation worth listening to! Wonderful...Talk Talk's crowning achievement This album is Talk Talk's finest and all-around most accessible album -- it serves as the crossroads between their earlier new wave/pop sound and their later experimental period. Gone are the synthesizers in favor of more acoustic, orchestral textures. "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World" are the 2 notable singles from this album, but the rest is equally fabulous. Mark Hollis explores soft, introspection on "April 5th" and "Chameleon Day". The bookend pieces, "Happiness Is Easy" and "Time It's Time", are among the most emotionally-charged songs in their entire repertoire. The former is full of joyous optimism, regardless of its religious connotations (be they negative or positive); and the latter wavers between gentle verses and ominous church-choir vocals in the chorus, ending with an uplifting procession of flutes that serve as the cathartic calm-after-the-storm. The later two albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock, are nearly on par with this album, but this goes down as one of the greatest sleepers of the 80's. Breakthrough sound production, a sonic treasure chest "Colour of Spring" is joyous and yet introspective at the same time, it would be one of my "desert island" discs. (If you were stranded on a desert island, what records would you want to have with you?) One of the fascinating things about this album is the engineering/production. If you have a good pair of headphones, or better still, a really nice sound system, this album will bring you lots of pleasure. For example, on "Happiness is Easy" there's a beautful children's chorus who's stereo image is about 100 feet wide. At the same time, there's a very closely miked accoustic bass, you can almost feel the pluck and bowing of the strings. In "Living in Another World", which really rocks out, there's a great blues-y acoustic piano. The piano sounds like you're right inside the damn thing, listening to the hammers hit the strings. Right along side it is the beautiful thunk thunk thunk of an acoustic drum. Some people don't like this album because its too "ponderous". I have never Felt that way. There's always a compelling pulse in each song. There are great "hooks". Mark Hollis' voice is beautiful, and the melodies are very captivating. But the thing that really elevates this album for me is all the subtle details that you may not pick up on the first few times you listen to it. I found that even after playing it over and over again for months, I was still finding new little sonic wonders hidden here and there in the music. I would highly recommend this disc, especially to artists and musicians. Buy Talk Talk The Colour Of Spring at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.comJamster - the latest ringtones for your phone! |
