Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring

EMI

I can't seem to find an official release date for this record outside of 'March 1986', so what better date to post about it other then the 20th of March. The official start of Spring(?).

The Colour of Spring is a masterpiece on the production front. Everything is so spacious and leaves plenty of room for the material to come to life. The material lures the listener into the space created. The deeper you go the more you find, or more finds you. The attention to detail is utterly captivating. Something new reveals itself upon returning to this record each and every time. The sort of detail that becomes integral to the track but didnt exist until you became aware of its presence. It's the perfect record to test out a new system with. Musically all shapes, sounds and colours are covered.

This record is, pun intended, heavily spring oriented. Cleansing and refreshing. A deep breathe of fresh air to the minds eye. The material is unique in its shape-shifting ways. The central theme is adhered to while melodies come and go as they please. It's quite jarring at first as it makes the album hard to 'get into' but further down the line it becomes the main focus of its unrepeatable qualities. Out with the old and in with the new in the blink of an eye. Sonic spring cleaning if you will. Talk Talk perform with a pastel palette, lots of light orange, beige and blue. All these traits align the spring theme seamlessly. A true gem.

Mark Hollis' vocal performance is one of a kind. Earth-y and effervescent. Drowned in sorrow yet sounding rather upbeat. Active in a calm manner. As smooth as silk.

These guys have to be up there with the most underrated and dare I say it underappreciated bands of all time. Not enough people, as ironic as it is, talk about Talk Talk!

Favorite Track: Life's What You Make It

March 20th?, 1986.