The Essential

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This <i>Essential</i> collection features the single “My Foolish Friend”; three tracks from the Talk Talk debut, <i>The Party’s Over</i>; four each from <i>It’s My Life</i> and <i>The Colour of Spring</i>; three from <i>Spirit of Eden</i>; and none from <i>Laughing Stock</i>. It’s a smart compilation of highlights, illustrating the band’s radical musical shift midway through its career with <i>The Colour of Spring</i> and the intense vocal stylings of leader Mark Hollis. The band that made “Talk Talk” barely resembles the group that delivers “I Believe in You”; it’s proof positive that bands in the ‘80s were every bit as capable of evolving as their earlier counterparts. There’s much beauty here. “Dum Dum Girl” bounces agreeably. “It’s My Life” shouts with defiance. “Happiness Is Easy” hints at the placid, pastoral soundfields the band would explore alone. “Eden” incorporates the final tonal pulses of “The Rainbow” for its added length. While fans should certainly own the band’s works in their entirety, this is a decent start in the right direction.

via Apple Music