I feel bad for not being as active recently. My pick is Talk Talk’s 1986 album The Colour of Spring. It isn’t their best album, but I think it’s an easily accessible way to get into their old more pop-centric stuff (tracks 1-3, 5) and what they will become (“April 5th”). If you dig this, the next two albums and the Mark Hollis LP have had me pretty much captivated for the past 2-3 years. I’d say it’s a band that requires a couple of listens to really click, but when it does, I’m not sure there’s many better recordings out there.
The only song I knew from this album was Happiness is Easy. Such simplicity and scope. Those organ beds and drum and percussion rhythms lay the foundation for the bulk of the album; the melodies and textures colour it in; on piano, bits of guitar, bits of synth, of saxophone, a melodica, that panpipes run-off at the end; and at the centre, Mark Hollis's voice. A sad voice, a yearning voice, so yearning that clean enunciation sometimes comes second. He has a spontaneity of melody, an unconventional placing, leaving space and then emoting when seemingly seized by something he wants to say, and yet everything seems to have a hook. It's crazy good. Even the vocal delay, being identifiably 80s, doesn't feel stripped to a fad of time, but is a necessary extra amplifying of his voice, a voice which, far above the cliché, genuinely operates as an instrument in itself. Fantastic record. I think my favourite is Time It's Time: the to-and-fro struggle for peace, and the optimistic drive-off into the distance.
This Talk Talk album rules. Don't think I've ever listened to one of their albums, but I've definitely heard a couple songs here and there. Only song that didn't hook me instantly was April 5th. Gonna check out more for sure
Spinning this now. It's another one of those '80s albums that often feels really modern in its arrangements and production. The bass and drum grooves are so solid, and the synth sounds are awesome.
That Talk Talk record is enjoyable but I didn’t love it. I think there’s something a bit intimidating about but I feel like it’ll grow on me with subsequent listens — which I know will happen. Sounds super crisp and smooth. I’d describe it as an album that was enjoyable to “hear” but sometimes felt like a drag to listen to, if that’s not a super stupid way to describe something haha. I can’t really explain why and I believe this will change after some time. My favourite tracks were Living In Another World and Give It Up
Someone else should get my slot. I haven't been able to keep up lately. I'll catch up when the school year is over next week and then I'll take my turn the next time around.
I'm up after @cshadows2887 and I'm also going to forego my spot. I haven't really been participating for the last few months, so I'll let someone make a pick who is currently active!
I don’t care if someone picks when they’re not that active. I just like getting a new recommendation every week
New weekly album pick @I Am Mick, @angrycandy , @aoftbsten, @OhTheWater, @cshadows2887, @Patterns in Traffic, @flask, @Craig Manning, @Contender , @WadeCastle, @Long Century, @ghostedaway , @SteveLikesMusic , @George, @Matt Chylak, @troyplaysbass. @Kistler, @JM95, @edisnfg, @williek311, @Doomsday Originally released in 1983, and not previously available outside Japan, the thirteen-track album has since become something a cult phenomenon among record collectors.Best known as a fashion photographer, who has captured everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis to Uma Thurman and Sophia Loren, Hiett’s own musical productions explore a sun-dappled aesthetic, that taps into the transportive sound of ambient, folk, yacht rock and exotica.
Record is incredible, I just listened to it last month for the first time. Really cool stuff and ahead of its time