I’m really surprised that almost nobody aside from musicians seem to be aware of who Talk Talk are. Their entire catalog is excellent, but their last three albums are especially amazing.
Spirit of Eden is generally considered the very best of their work. Personally I think it’s even better than Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
I know that since post-rock has become mainstream in this decade that you hear more praise for Talk Talk. Do you think in 10-20 years time they will be mentioned in the same breath as Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Velvet Underground, the Beach Boys and Beatles? I really think they are just as good if not more amazing than any of those bands, and they hugely influenced not only post-rock but also Trip Hop, emo and shoegaze music. Not to mention a lot of vocalists like Lights, Gwen Stefani, Bjork, Hayley Williams, etc I’ve always thought there was something “feminine”, though not effeminate, about Mark Hollis’ voice and his songs are otherwise more fit for female singers.
I think “Inheritance” is probably my favorite track:
I’m with Bo, it’s not even the greatest Talk Talk album (although I’m more an It’s My Life than Colour of Spring fan - Such A Shame is one of my all-time favourite songs - isn’t that car crash opening the best thing ever?)
And everyone knows* Unknown Pleasures* is the greatest album ever made
No, no. The answer is the tried-and-true Pet Sounds, of course. Althpugh the more I listen to, the more I think Refused’s The Shape of Punk to Come needs to enter consideration for me. Right now, it’s Pet Sounds and Loveless that are one and two, but the Refused album has over time made it into my top 5.
I’ve maintained for nearly 2 decades now (and written on these boards for half that time) that that is the greatest rock album ever; it’s even better than The Clash’s Combat Rock.
Yeah, listening to it today, it still sounds fresh and forward-thinking. I first heard it probably c. 2002, a good four years after it was released. Too bad punk didn’t actually go in that direction. (As for the Clash, the obvious London Calling is my favorite, and in my top ten all-time. I could never quite get into Combat Rock. Perhaps it’s time to revisit it.)
Anyway, you should listen to the album if you haven’t, it’s amazing!
Althpugh the more I listen to, the more I think Refused’s The Shape of Punk to Come needs to enter consideration for me. Right now, it’s Pet Sounds and Loveless that are one and two, but the Refused album has over time made it into my top 5.
(As for the Clash, the obvious London Calling is my favorite, and in my top ten all-time. I could never quite get into Combat Rock. Perhaps it’s time to revisit it.)