Track Listing

1. Today
2. Talk Talk
3. My Foolish Friend
4. Such a Shame
5. Dum Dum Girl
6. It's My Life
7. Give It Up
8. Living in Another World
9. Life's What You Make It
10. Happiness Is Easy
11. I Believe in You
12. Desire
13. Life's What You Make It [Live][*]
14. Tomorrow's Started [Live][*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #38359 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-16
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Who would have imagined that the missing link between Miles Davis and Portishead would be a pasty Brit band whose synth-driven hits show up from time to time on rock-of-the-'80s collections? For those only familiar with MTV hits like "Talk Talk" and "It's My Life," this compilation is the beginning of a revelation. Talk Talk mastermind Mark Hollis is an eccentric genius whose hook-laden hits hide an equally satisfying catalog of art-rock experimentation. As Talk Talk evolved, Hollis (opting for a cut-up technique that anticipated the Pro-Tools revolution) ditched synth-pop and produced some of the most sublime late-night records ever. Think Stevie Winwood tranquilized by listening to too much Blue Nile and you start to get the picture. But fair warning: buy this album, and there's a good chance you'll end up purchasing the whole catalog. --Bill Forman

Customer Reviews

The early hits are nice, but...
OK, I'm writing this review principally because I'm disturbed by the other reviews. Sure, "It's My Life" and "Such a Shame" are swell songs, but if that's where it ended, Talk Talk would not be particularly important. It's the second half of this album that is groundbreaking and timeless. This compilation gets 5 stars from me because it's such an interesting journey from their early pop hits to the experimental tracks on "Spirit of Eden". Pick it up, and then get "Colours of Spring", "Spirit of Eden", and "Laughing Stock" -- essential albums for anyone interested in music.

Listen To Talk Talk
This outstanding British art-pop band, led by singer/songwriter Mark Hollis, released five studio albums between 1982 and 1991. "Natural History" is a Best-Of collection that covers the first four Talk Talk albums, and I can most certainly guarantee that if you enjoy this disc, you'll definitely want to seek out the band's whole catalog. They only had one Top 40 hit in the States, "It's My Life" (recently covered by No Doubt), but there's a lot more intelligent, sophisticated tunes where that classic song came from. Talk Talk made GREAT music, with a grace and power in the way they used keyboards and piano, the big thumping of the drums, the cleverness of the songwriting & arrangements, the way their music could instantly grab you and hold your attention, and, of course, the distinctive, rich voice of Mark Hollis. "Talk Talk," "Such A Shame," "It's My Life," "Life Is What You Make It," "Living In Another World," "Desire"....simply wonderful songs. Thanks to "Natural History," I'm an instant fan, and I'm already seeking out the rest of the group's stuff. They never got the huge success that they so rightfully deserved, but Talk Talk was and IS a band to treasure. "Natural History" is a marvelous introduction.

A solid best-of collection from an underappreciated band
Not as popular as say, the PET SHOP BOYS, not as commercial as CULTURE CLUB, and not as beloved as THE SMITHS, TALK TALK is nevertheless an 80's band that really always deserved a closer look. Synth-pop die-hards remember the singles 'Talk Talk' and the sublime (and personal favorite) 'It's My Life', but there are more than a few other tracks that upon closer scrutiny are clearly as strong as those, and they are all included on this disc. Possessing a haunting, pained vocal style, Mark Hollis brings his sensitive p.o.v. to a number of songs that anyone other than hardcore TALK TALK fans probably have never heard, tracks like the hard-driving 'Living in Another World'. As catchy and memorable as any New Wave hit, 'World' to me is one of those lost classics that few have heard and should've. Clocking in at 7 minutes it's a fierce, up-tempo, break-up epic. The singer wounded and hurt but accepting and even complimentary to his lost love. Need other reasons to pick up 'Natural History'? How about the infectious and inspiring 'Life's what you make it'. Alternately funky and New Wavey it's another stand-out on a disc that has several pleasant surprises if you've been only a casual fan. Like New Wave? Order this.