Soundbyte:Natural History, Talk Talk
Aaron Castrejon
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: A&E
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Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk highlights the band's most memorable songs over their 10-year history.
The first seven songs are quite catchy, allowing the listener to become immersed in the eerie instrumentals of keyboardist Simon Brenner, drummer Lee Harris, bassist Paul Webb and the thought-provoking lyrics of Mark Hollis.
By far, their biggest hit is simply titled "Talk Talk," and is second on this compilation. The song has a faster tempo than some of their other melodies, highlighted by a slightly more upbeat sound.
Songs such as "My Foolish Friend," "Such a Shame" and "Dum Dum Girl" have a very spooky electric sound that can shake one to their very soul by just the synths alone.
Another impressive song is "Life's What You Make It." Its melancholy synths are complemented by the lyrics dealing with moving on from the past and looking towards the future: "Baby, life's what you make it/Can't escape it/Baby, yesterday's favorite/Don't you hate it/...Yesterday's faded/Nothing can change it/Baby, life's what you make it."
There are two bonus tracks available on this compilation. They are live renditions of "Life's What You Make It" and "Tomorrow's Started," recorded at Hammersmith Apollo, formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, in London.
Unfortunately, Talk Talk parted ways in 1991 after problems with their EMI record label and the band members went on to their own projects.
Nevertheless, this album is a wonderful tribute to a band that helped influence bands in the post-rock genre.
For those who love the sad, ambience of '80s synth, then Talk Talk delivers.
Aaron Castrejon can be reached at ccclarion@hotmail.com
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