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Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

post #1 of 16
1/18/07 at 7:38pm
Thread Starter 
I've mentioned this album before here, but I don't think people have really paid attention, so I'm starting a thread about it.

It's the greatest album ever made, possibly. A seamless, flowing, jazz/blues/psychedelia/rock/avant-garde religious trip into the deep, dark soul of a tortured man. It has approximately bugger-all in common with 80s synthpop and a great deal in common with Miles Davis, Can, Eno, Robert Johnson, and many, many other wonderful things.

And it sounds absolutely extraordinary on headphones.

I wrote extensively about it here - http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articl...it-of-eden.htm

I don't particularly like that article (bit po-faced), but a lot of people have said they love it.

This is one of those records that changes your life. Please, please seek it out and have a listen.
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post #2 of 16
1/18/07 at 7:52pm
that's a nice article, SickMouthy... it paints a vivid picture of your personal relationship with the album.

i've always wanted to pick it up, as i've heard great things about it and the precursor The Colour of Spring.

but the overt christian themes have always put me off, as i've got a bit of an antipathy toward religion in general and that dogma in specific.

i get the feeling, though, that these are preconceived notions, and i'll have to give it a second look. thanks for the reminder!
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post #3 of 16
1/18/07 at 7:56pm
Thread Starter 
It's very much not straight Christianity - Hollis apparently was into Christian mysticism for a while, but identifies as an agnostic, I think.

In the SoE follow-up, the even more brutal/sparse/amazing Laughing Stock, one lyric is "versed in Christ should strength desert me" and the delivery very much insinuates that it's a coping mechanism, a desperation for faith in the face of horror, rather than actual faith itself.

Colour of Spring is an awesome record too, and the b-sides around it were also very, very good.
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post #4 of 16
1/18/07 at 8:49pm
godammit... apparently there's an SACD of both these albums... but they're not available stateside!
dammit all to hell.
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post #5 of 16
1/18/07 at 9:33pm
The two SACDs are incredible. The 1997 remaster was done by the same dudes, so it also sounds great. That one is more readily available.
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post #6 of 16
1/18/07 at 10:17pm
I only heard about this album recently, heard about it on the Hoffman forums.

I LOVE this album!

After hearing this album I went and bought Laughing Stock and The Colour Of Spring.

I can't believe how good Laughing Stock is! I have listened to it three times in a row, non stop, and been enthralled the entire time!

So far I have not received The Colour of Spring, I and eagerly anticipating its arrival.

These guys are geniuses of post rock! It could never be emphasized too much. Genius with a capital G
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post #7 of 16
1/19/07 at 12:24am
I have heard so much about Laughing Stock over the years and just never got around to picking it up.
Id like the O.P. to know that you have inspired me to finally pick it up.
Just ordered off of Amazon...
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post #8 of 16
9/9/07 at 3:29am
I'm listening to Mark Hollis' first solo album right now. Simply incredible!
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post #9 of 16
9/9/07 at 6:01am
I wouldn't say that SoE needs much promotion: certainly in the UK it's one of those albums that regularly gets mentioned as one of the "neglected masterpieces" of its time, and I agree that it's pretty good. Mark Hollis's solo album was very much along the same lines, but I lent it to someone and never got it back!

I would strongly recommend anyone who likes SoE to try out Gone to Earth and Brilliant Trees by David Sylvian. They're from the same period and have the same "Romantic ambient" feel to them.
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post #10 of 16
9/9/07 at 11:39am
i was never able to get into this album. it just doesn't grab me. i'll give it another listen tonight
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post #11 of 16
9/9/07 at 8:41pm
Incredible album indeed, one of the roots of post-rock. Of course if you enjoy Spirit of Eden, Laughing Stock is an album to own.
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post #12 of 16
9/10/07 at 11:42pm
I have to say it.. if you're into these albums, then check out HEX by Bark Psychosis and PYGMALION by Slowdive. Both albums practically worship at the altar of late Talk Talk (esp. HEX).

Thank you.

-Mason
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post #13 of 16
9/11/07 at 1:12pm

Not moved yet....

The dreaded double-post. Please see below.
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post #14 of 16
9/11/07 at 1:14pm

Give me just a little more time....

Quote:
Originally Posted by SickMouthy View Post
I've mentioned this album before here, but I don't think people have really paid attention, so I'm starting a thread about it.

It's the greatest album ever made, possibly. A seamless, flowing, jazz/blues/psychedelia/rock/avant-garde religious trip into the deep, dark soul of a tortured man. It has approximately bugger-all in common with 80s synthpop and a great deal in common with Miles Davis, Can, Eno, Robert Johnson, and many, many other wonderful things.

And it sounds absolutely extraordinary on headphones.

I wrote extensively about it here - http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articl...it-of-eden.htm

I don't particularly like that article (bit po-faced), but a lot of people have said they love it.

This is one of those records that changes your life. Please, please seek it out and have a listen.
I picked this up after reading some raves about it. After one listen, I wondered what the fuss was all about, but I'll give it a few more spins. History suggests that the really good stuff takes many listens. (Except for 'OK Computer.' During the first listen, I didn't have it "all figured out," but I knew I was listening to something rare and wonderful.)
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post #15 of 16
9/11/07 at 2:46pm
Quote:
I wondered what the fuss was all about
x2

I've tried hard to enjoy their last couple albums but I just don't get. The instrumental stuff is pleasant enough. The vocals don't do much for me.

BTW, I saw Talk Talk back in their original new-wave/new romantic era, opening for Elvis Costello ca. 1982 (Imperial Bedroom tour).
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