SPIRIT OF EDEN

1. THE RAINBOW

It begins with 2-min intro of background strings and desolate winds' sound (clarinet? oboe? cor Anglias? whatever). Those who are familiar with David Lynch movies will recognize that atmosphere as their most preferable; neither as dark as usual Badalamenti's dramatic piano themes nor as jolly as Lynch's rock'n'roll-related stuff. Then through half-noticeable noises guitar creeps in, lonely like last chords of Neil Young dying somewhere in the desert. Steel harmonica follows and make this picture even more vivd and true-to-life. Lazy groove of verse changes into ethereal chorus and dark minimalistic piano touches that complete the picture. Can you imagine this? Three different moods in less than one minute. Fantastic. And this is how "THE RAINBOW" goes further, with unleashed, wild and hot harmonica solo in the middle, so sudden and so predictable in the same time. Then all becomes too mellow to be heard - we're in Eden.

2. EDEN

Light and spacy, loose and free, and then with fuzzy Hammond organ and overdriven guitar in chorus, where Mark cries sacred words of love and peace. More than a song - a testament, filled with half-noticeable background sounds, which are supposed to be orchestra or choir or whatever...There's a rumour that orchestra were improvising for 3 hours, and the only moment was laid on tape finally - where violin player played the wrong note :) Climax here is stretched, it lasts for 2 minutes or so, and when distorted guitar sound fades away, the beat of Eden still can be heard.

3. DESIRE

There's a massive latent sexual power in this song. I just imagine Jimmy Morrison or Robert Plant performing "DESIRE", and stadiums are on high...no, wait, there's also a great deal of intimacy. This wicked subtle riff, upright bass and winds appearing from nowhere, heavenly mild Hammond organ...and then goes the blow of immense power preceded by a screaming guitar sound - the chorus, so overwhelming and so magnificient. The closer the end the crazier this song becomes - these drums, listen to these drums, beating in a doomsday bell, and crying overdriven guitar, and harmonica has gone totally mad...insanity of desire indeed, it has never been better before and never will be.

4. INHERITANCE

Piano and organ drop chords with hat counting out time, Mark chants "heaven bless you in your calm" - some beautiful moments can be found there, especially in chorus, where whirling background creates truly "out-there" feeling, and between verses, where winds play something...something that can be heard on Hollis' solo in a more experimental way. Good Lord, this album made me love these winds!

5. I BELIEVE IN YOU

The sister-track to "EDEN", even more subtle, gentle, flowing through few Hammond organ chords and simple drum beat, with thousands of invisible overdubs on the background, this song has the most ambient feel to it, with ethereal Hollis vocals and these weird sound collages, half-noticeable (this is the third time I use this construction!) and almost haunting. Listen to angelic voices calling to you - yes, you're still in Eden. Second best track along with "DESIRE" here, no contest.

6. WEALTH

The most minimalistic song here. Organ, piano, some acoustics here and there and the final words from Mark - "Take my freedom for giving me sacred love". Simple yet genius. Minimalistic yet Prog. Is this what you expected?

No smart words, no conclusions, no recommendations. If you want to find Eden without leaving the Earth, just turn this CD on. Simply one of the best albums ever made by human beings.

Share this TALK TALK review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to Prog-jester
• Report this review (#151382)
• Buy TALK TALK music online with PA partners
• Show all TALK TALK MP3/Stream
• Go to TALK TALK page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Spirit Of Eden page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for TALK TALK related discussions