THE PARTY'S OVER

In the ProgArchives description it says that Talk Talk started as a 'typical synthpop band'. Typical? Typical?!! No no, Hollis and crew are not typical. Spandau Ballet is typical, Duran Duran is typical, Depeche Mode and Human League are typical. But with this band, there is a higher ambition, a deeper need to make to go elsewhere, even in their early work. They clearly work on a different pace, a sadder one. Another thing that makes them part from the others is that they don't wear their catchy choruses ad nauseum and stretch a song for the sake of repeating the hooks; Pet Shop Boys should've taken notes.

Okay, they do follow the Ultravox and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (which is okay for me) but the musicianship is (like the latter two) stellar. Talk Talk does have a super singer, a super drummer and an even more super bass player (that impeccable fretless work). Pop songs? Yes, but smartly put together; the title song, Hate and Candy are clearly an emotional punch in the stomach and maybe Mirror Man is the only dud in this.

Simmons drums, Yamaha keyboards and Stingray bass are a plenty but so cleverly put together, it's not just a typical album of synthpop. It's a super start to a weird career that kept evolving to become an entire new band. Instead of listening to Rio or Hungry like the Wolf for the gazillion time, take time to know Talk Talk's synth phase, it's sadder but soothing also.

Talk Talk does not have a bad album in any phase you listen (oh and that art cover! Sublime!)

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