Does Everything Reflect The Time You Spend?

I didn't need to look far for the inspiration for today's Talk Talk selection... I was wearing the T-shirt!

This ten-song compilation spans their early demos with Jimmy Miller in 1981, through to their final statement as a band, with Laughing Stock in 1991, but leans most on the 1984-1986 period and the albums It's My Life and The Colour Of Spring.

I've tried to navigate the incredible evolution of the band in just four albums without being a stickler for chronology. So the freeform jazz stylings of Ascension Day are sandwiched between the 'poppier' moments of Dum Dum Girl and ?, the B-side of Talk Talk's eponymous single.

Eden, the only song here from my favourite Talk Talk album, Spirit Of Eden, sits more comfortably between the opening and closing songs from The Colour Of Spring. The selection itself ends with one of their best known singles and one of their best B-sides.

The thing that binds them all together is the core of Mark Hollis, Paul Webb and Lee Harris. Much is written about Mark's lyrics and unique vocal performances, but it's Paul and Lee that provide the foundation, the feeling, the humanity through through their incredible musicianship. And that's not to dismiss the contributions of Simon Brenner and especially Tim Friese-Greene.

Talk Talk was an astonishing band, no matter which album or single you happen to be listening to, and one that rewards on each return visit.

1) Living In Another World (U.S. Remix By Gavin MacKillop) (1986)

2) Dum Dum Girl (Single Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1984)

3) Ascension Day (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene & Phill Brown) (Single Edit) (1991)

4) ? (Single Version By Colin Thurston) (1982)

5) Candy (Demo Version By Jimmy Miller) (1981)

6) Happiness Is Easy (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1986)

7) Eden (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1988)

8) Time It's Time (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1986)

9) Today (Album Version By Mike Robinson) (1982)

10) Again, A Game...Again (Single Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1983)

1982: Talk Talk: 4

1982: The Party's Over: 9

1984: Dum Dum Girl EP: 2

1984: Such A Shame EP (limited edition 2x 7"): 5, 10

1986: Living In Another World EP: 1

1986: The Colour Of Spring: 6, 8

1988: Spirit Of Eden: 7

1991: Ascension Day EP: 3

Does Everything Reflect The Time You Spend? (56:05) (GD) (M)

Post script: 

I've reactivated links to a couple of Talk Talk selections I posted previously:

Inheritance (April 2022)

Take My Freedom When The Riot Comes (May 2023)