A perfect album from start to finish, absolute gem.

Most underrated album ever

Fantastic songs. "Chameleon day" announces the style of the next 2 albums, less and less notes, more and more space and silence. "Time it's time" I adore this song, the bass is fantastic. Everything is perfect.

The instrumental outro is a masterpiece on its own. A musical genius at work.

If you liked Chameleon Day the way its structured with just Marks Voice and his lyrics and the piano in the background You d most likely like Spirit of Eden

This album has been a delight for me. A band I never knew existed has put forth such a complete and interesting album. My thanks to those who recommended it in the first place and, as always, to JT for a great review.

One of the greatest album of the eighties. Artistic, great pop songs and beautiful musicianship.

Time It's Time: my favorite track on this album, possibly my favorite of theirs which would make it one of my favorite tracks of anyone all time. I was in choir in high school and college so this is so inspiring. And this is one of my favorite bass lines. Paul Webb is one of my favorite melodic bass players. He is one of the reasons that going back to earlier Talk Talk is not the worst thing in the world. Maybe a few select tracks. But go ahead forward is the better way if you have to make a choice. The lyrics are so applicable at any time, but today especially.

Talk Talk was a game changer for me personally. That band got me out a time when 90% of what I listened to was prog rock. All of their albums are good, the first two are some of the best synth pop of the 80s, the last two are post-rock precursors. Incredibly influential band. Spirit of Eden is a human experience. There is space in their music, space for me, the listener. Yet it's deep and textured. I'm sure someone posted that Mark Hollis quote before but just to make sure: “Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note, y'know. And don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it.”

This album really brings me back. I had it on repeat for weeks in the spring of 1986. I was 21. It was one of the best times in my life and this album is one of the best albums of the 80s for sure. It packed an emotional punch for me then and still does now.

Talk Talk, Tears for Fears, Joy Division -> New Order, OMD, Roxy Music, The Cure and Spandau Ballet were bands that moved the 80.s synth into next level. There were more but these bands immediately comes to my mind. Add Talking Heads but they were different in their approach with David Byrne attacking the vocals

When the melodica kicks in I get a lump in my throat and goose pimples. Incredible song ( and album ). ✌️❤️🤘

Talk Talk...one of the most underrated bands *ever* !!

A delight that you have discovered Mark Hollis

Spirit Of Eden is going to blow your mind - just as it did for me in 1988, and continues to do so to this day

The Colour of Spring and Spirit of Eden are 2 of the best albums of the 80s so different from each other but musically amazing. You need to keep going forward dont go backwards. Do spirit then do Laughing Stock. Both are brilliant. Talk Talk and Mark Hollis are AMAZING!!!

"Time Is Time", "Does Caroline Know?", and the entirety of 'Laughing Stock' as a whole, are my personal favourites of Talk Talk's.

Chameleon day sounds so bleak yet so beautiful.

By the way, another one my favorite Talk Talk song was never on an album. “It’s Getting Late in the Evening” is so lush and intimate. It’s as if Mark is right next to you comforting you. It was on a B side record. It is magnificent.

Beautiful closing of a beautiful album. These last two tracks will get better every time you listen to them. The older albums of Talk Talk also contain many beauties. Well worth a try! Great review Justin, I am glad you liked it!

Freakin album is sacred. No opinion needed.

Good ending to a good album and a good review.

One of the greatest album closers of all time.

Well done, Justin. What I love about these two tracks is that they provide full circle closure to the album: a COMPLETENESS. Recall how track one and track two segue with that disjointing snare / tambourine strike? Here, tracks seven and eight segue with an odd piano chord. Recall the children's choral group in track one? Now we have an adult chorale in track eight. As I understand it, the lyrical themes of TCOS reflect Hollis' nascent Christian faith, and 'Time It's Time' is a call to move forward, still struggling but ultimately hopeful in the rest and comfort that his faith provides. At least that's how I read it. I first heard this on cassette upon release, driving with my friend Andy. He was (is) a musician and he was flipping over this. Going on 35 years with this album, my appreciation grows deeper and deeper, and it's now in my top 10 of all time, if not my top 5. As for Spirit Of Eden, I'm looking forward to your analysis and perspective to maybe help me appreciate that at a deeper level. Well done, Justin. As I said with track one, welcome to your new favorite album.

Talk talk Fan-Tas-Tic band ! Rip marc Hollis .🙏🙏

Re-listening to "Time it's time" with you has brightened up my day. Thank you.

Great stuff once again from the Great Talk Talk ☝️❤️ thanks for the reaction JP ☝️❤️

As sometimes (maybe even often) happens when listening to your reactions, I discover music I knew nothing or very little about. This always sends me off on a research journey, as is my natural tendency. That has certainly been the case with "Talk Talk". In my research today, I discovered that I did, indeed, know of one of their songs, before you started this album. It is the song "Talk Talk"! I knew it from MTV in around 1982, although only slightly, because I was only slightly "tuned in" to the current pop culture of that time. I also discovered today that the song "It's My Life", I knew, NOT from "Talk Talk", but from "No Doubt"! On "Chameleon Day", I gotta point out that he/they really wore their Miles Davis and John Coltrane influences on his/their sleeves! Loved it! I always have to pull up the lyrics, because it's difficult to understand what he's saying. But on "Time It's Time", the melodies, stunning background vocals, and most of all, the musicianship, more than compensates for any difficulty understanding the lyrics as sung. And, um, about those lyrics!!!! Could they be any more appropriate for RIGHT NOW?!!! Just perfect! And perfect timing for you to do this reaction today, of all days! Did you plan it that way??? I have become a huge fan of Talk Talk, and Mark Hollis (RIP). I have watched SO MANY vids of them over the last couple of weeks. Thanks, Justin! Looking forward to whatever is next!

Walking along the main road in my 'hood this morning, I suddenly heard faint flute sounds coming from somewhere, in-between all the traffic noise, and I'd first thought this was Christmas music - until I eventually realised that this was the ending of 'Time It's Time', coming from an open window of an apartment above one of the shops! 😄 It felt very unusual but also special to hear a TT album track play somewhere (as opposed to a single) and seemingly randomly, too; Everything does happen for a reason, though! 😉

Very enjoyable album listen. This is a band that I never paid attention to because I figured they were just a product of the early 80s marketing, fashion and commercialism. But there is depth and artistry to their music that truly rises above much of that era.

Chameleon Day is good indication for what follows on Spirit Of Eden. On that next album you can't but group the three titles on side 1. They are like different movements of one single composition.

Just discovered your channel today, Talk Talk are one of my all time favourites and great to see someone doing a deep dive on them, great work all round.

Chameleon day is a good introduction to Spirit of Eden.

see that way your bopping your head to Time its time... welcome to my world.

Simply magical. A life-lasting album as a whole, apotheosis included. I believe in magic!

An absolutely perfect song! Thanks for doing a review on this! Having multiple bad things happen to me in life, this song reminds me that they are not me, and to keep going.

I bought this when it came out. Time it’s Time for me is about the loss of Mark Hollis brother. “In memory....Rest your Head”. It touches my soul each time as we all could have that story to tell. Loss and new beginnings. I love it. My favourite album.

Hi, Justin. Dave from London. I agree that these songs are a great way to end what for me was one of albums of the 80s (Spirit of Eden, Brilliant Trees and Hounds of Love are up there too). Loved your interpretation of the lyrics too. I agree with the others that the three songs making up Eden on Spirit of Eden should be reviewed together.

I grew up listening to talk talk, now in my fifties I still play talk talk, it never gets old, listening to beautiful music. 👍

Ya know!..... As much as I enjoy watching some great reviews, and I have my favorites, you really have outdone yourself on this one. I feel this is my favorite review you’ve done because you nailed it in such detail. Just nailed it. For me, this album was all about my first couple years of college(s) and going through family trauma yet again, and trying desperately to find my path forward. I grafted Mark Hollis’ music into myself at that time as if it helped me confront the reality that such times are going to happen throughout life and to everyone at some point in their lives. His pain gave me a ‘comrade’ to go through life with. Amazing man and when I heard of Mark’s death, even though I haven’t heard any real news about him in such a long time, I was devastated for a time until I thought back to his music and realized that he had it together I’m sure. He knew what was important to him and lived a nice life most likely. As recluse as he lived after Talk Talk, he had already put himself out there for the world. And he accomplished wonderful things that he would never ever hear about. Bravo Justin. Fantastic review.

For the next album, you could go either way as this was a pivotal album in their career. The previous album "It's my life" is more pop and maybe just a notch below the Colour of spring. I love it. Or, their next, Spirit of Eden which (as you'll see in a few comments) is more in tune with Chameleon Day. I love it too. Bought it when it came out, and I was disappointed at the time. Many years later, I returned to it, and boy oh boy, I wonder if my taste in music had evolved or what, but I fell in love with it. One thing is sure, we'll watch whatever you decide put on your channel. :)

You've nailed Mark Hollis just through the lyrics of "Chameleon Day" - wow! He definitely didn't like the limelight, or certainly grew to dislike it after a while. Hence the stop of tours after this one. It's interesting though that the second TT album was originally supposed to be called Chameleon Hour. After some more work and Tim Friese-Greene coming into the fold, we got It's My Life instead, which has some remnants of the original concept, while other songs ended up on b-sides. When you look at the lyrics of those songs, the theme becomes rather obvious, and it's all related to the book "The Dice Man". So you get songs like "Call in the Night Boy" or "For What It's Worth", and to me "Chameleon Day" is like an extension of that. Clearly the image was on his mind. And "Time It's Time"... what can I say? Even the previous album closer "It's You" was no slouch (similarly ending an often downbeat album on a hopeful note all the while wrapping up some previous themes) but this is just one of the most majestic songs I know. The choir is always goosebump-inducing and the perfect counterpart to the children in the first track, just like the little vocal bits that get echoed at parts ("Happiness is Easy" had the same effect). The line "bad as bad becomes it's not a part of you" is indeed worthy of framing and something to keep in mind. Much as I like Hollis' following three albums, none of them ended on such a powerful note (maybe on purpose). So, some general thoughts. Some of these reactions I've been watching are just not very substantial, especially when you get the feeling that the people don't know their onions. But this is emphatically not the case with what I've seen of your reactions thus far (mostly just Talk Talk but I see you also did some Tears for Fears and Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and possibly more of my favourite bands). Only disappointment is that you didn't mention the Variophon once (well, it's not a very common instrument, not sure I know anyone besides TT who's used it) but if you do the absolutely stunning B-side "It's Getting Late in the Evening" before moving onto "Spirit of Eden", you can remedy that ;-)

Justin...first things first. My thanks goes out to those whom recommended this album to you. I appreciate learning about and hearing artists I've never heard before. Time is Time...wow what a neat song. I purposefully didn't listen to the rest of the album because I wanted to experience it the first time from you. Now I need to listen to the whole thing again. Thank you...Thank you!!

Oh my Justin, thank you for taking me on this beautiful journey. I am enjoying every minute. You have taught an old dog a new trick.

Got a strong solo Peter Gabriel vibe from that. Really liked the ending.

Talk Talk may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they are definitely mine. ☕ ❤ P.S. I really like what you're doing here Justin. It's good to know someone who knows how to listen.

l'intro di time it's time, primo minuto, il massimo irraggiungibile, nella musica non si può andare oltre

Chameleon day my favorite talk talk song

Another insightful reaction to songs from a truly great album.

"Ssoopah Saiyan!!" 😄 I had binge-watched 'DragonballZ' in its various incarnations during the several Lockdowns of the past few years 😁👍 And it's been awesome to listen to Talk Talk's best album (to me 😉) together with you today, Justin! 😀 I also very much enjoyed your interpretation of the lyrics! 😊 Good stuff! 😀👍

Back in 1986 those songs were on the radio. Even my counselor back then had this album...

Greatest album of the eighties!

It's great that you picked up on the fact that Mark Hollis is expressing his desire to be out of the spotlight because that is exactly what followed. Colour of Spring was the last tour promoted Album the band did. This is why we respected Mark's decision and why Talk Talk never reformed or played again after 1986 live.

That first piece the singer really reminded me of Steve Hogarth of Marillion...question Justin as you would know more than I would...I noticed a lot of reactors doing The Beatles all of a sudden...did something change?..I though they were among the most blocked artists...Cheers from Canada!!

You did the album justice in your reviews, again you've quickly captured the essence of each song and the album as a whole. I'm glad your are continuing onto Spirit, as I seem to recollect that you mentioned you had heard it and Laughing Stock before but didn't take to it (my words and apologies if I got that wrong) and really felt that you'd appreciate it far more second time around, your reaction to Chameleon Days and April 5th would indicate that may prove to be the case. I know 'under rated' gets bandied about a bit, but in Talk Talk's case I really do think its apt. I have long thought that both those albums were such an innovative pre curser to more recent bands like Sigur Ros...it was actually Sigur Ros and your review of one of their songs that brought me to your channel as they are possibly my favourite band of the last 20 years or so. It would be great if you could delve into their work again, perhaps simultaneously whilst listening to Spirit of Eden (?), it would make for an interesting hearing. Great reaction again Justin, thanks for championing Talk Talk on here.

The Ambrosia Choir!

Really enjoyable watch 👍liking your humour I saw TT live in 1984, college hall 😆 Just superb.

Yes! So glad you liked it and the album as a whole. I don't have one favourite musician/band (there are so many!) but Talk Talk comes very VERY close to being in that position. I just hope there isn't too much of a gap before you start "Spirit of Eden". But be prepared for something rather different from 80s pop music (April 5th and Chameleon Day hint at the direction things take). How to play "Spirit of Eden" here? Well... I'm biased because I only ever listened to the CD version of SoE, and that one is split into just 4 tracks, with track #1 being 23 minutes long (I guess side A of the vinyl record?). I only later (like, a lot later) discovered that track #1 is considered three different tracks and not all one with three different movements as the CD layout and liner tells me it is.

What I recommend you do for Spirit is do all of Side one which is The Rainbow, Eden and Desire as one big group because they all lead into each other and work amazingly as a grouping of 3. Only because the whole album is improvised and it’s very different from Colour of spring.

Thanks for doing this. You're now my third subscription. And one of them is my nephew's band's page.

And gosh, even though I've known this song for 35 years, I'd never really paid much attention to the lyrics - and they actually resonate sooo much with me! 🤯 Thank you for for helping me realise this through your video, Justin! 😊👍

I just love this album from start to finish!! Right on Justin!! Good choice!!

I struggle to think of a Talk Talk song I don't like

Just stumbled on your channel due to my Talk Talk obsession. I have to say the sound quality is exceptional - thank you 🙏

in the end: it´s somehow kind a funny, I think the were most popular in Germany, those days, and after all, more Nr.1 Hits and all that...

The perfect conclusion to a perfect album. This makes me very emotional.

This was a lovely way to start my day, Justin. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed this album and love your take on Hollis being in your personal bubble in Chameleon Day. I agree with others that the first three songs from Spirit should be done together but be prepared as they time out at 23+ minutes. Oh, and breakfast is good any time of the day or night. 😉🥞🧇🍳

Absolute perfection… absolutely spot on review

I hate to compare them to Talk Talk - but would be great if you could give a reaction to an up-and-coming wonderful LA based band called Lo Moon. Their debut, Lo Moon (or LM1) is fantastic and I think fans of Colour Of Spring will really appreciate them too. Check 'em out. Thank you JustJP, and thank you for this great Talk Talk album adventure.

‘I cradle fire ‘😊

I finally got the chance to watch part two of the questions answered video. Two things stood out to me. One, your favorite progressive band is Yes. My respect for you has now quadrupled. 😂Two, a band you would’ve liked to have seen live is The Police. That one shocked me. I didn’t even know they were on your radar. Sting started off as a jazz musician who had a “real” job as a secondary school English teacher. He joined the police as a way to make extra money (I think it paid off for him!) As someone who studied English in college and also taught it, Sting is extremely literate. If you dig into the deeper cuts you can discover his talent for words, especially in his solo music. I suggested a song for you called “Little Wing”. That one is solely for musical reasons and not for lyrics. For lyrics, I recommend “Synchronicity II” from The Police or “Russians” from his solo works.

"Spirit of Eden," start to finish. It is the only way, it must be done.

Awesome album! Great review as always. Thank you, and your fans, for introducing me to this album. I was listening to it last weekend. I find their sound very layered and relaxing. You might want to check out some Tangerine Dream or Enigma. I'm still waiting for Mike Oldfield - Crises, I hope you get there soon. I'm glad you enjoy Mike so much.

Existe um video muito bonito com esta musica.👏👏👏👏

From their first album The Party is over since their last album Laughing stock, you can see the changing in the music, especially from The colour of spring to Spirit of Eden. Chameleon day is the bridge to the next two albums.

i know i'm outnumbered but i would recommend doing the "It's My Life" album next for band historical context. It preceded Color of Spring and was the album that brought them notoriety. It is also brilliant. Then you'll have context leading to the experimental stuff in Spirit and Laughing Sock. Really will make you appreciate them all the more. The song "its My Life" got a lot of air play for them in the MTV days...great song much better than the No Doubt /Stefani cover of it Great stuff as usual JP

In a weird way, I consider MARK HOLLIS (solo album) to be a companion piece to Colour of Spring. (It even has a song called Colour of Spring).

No bad karma today,the reptiles have left the building! And now for an acoustic interlude,Time It's Time to play Jon Gomm- Everything. Flies are like roaches, Everytime you kill one it's babies conspire to infest you harder! It's a Rite Of Spring! Peace and pancakes.

Hey Justin. Never left a comment before but I've been listening right through the pandemic and I have to say you're doing a sterling job sir. I bought Colour of spring in 86 and it never ever gets tired. Still as fresh as the day it was released. I am listening to it again through fresh ears on your channel. You have an incredible grasp of what the music and words are saying. Might I suggest instead of moving forward with the next album you take a step back at the "It's my life" album. It's a fantastic collection of music and really shows the transition of the band as they started to give up on being an 80s pop band to who they later became.

Great analysis

Good video!

epic!...

Justin, i want to be invaded like this all the time ;o) To me Spirit of Eden's first side is a continuum. You can listen to the songs on side 2 individually, but to me, separating the songs on side one is a no-no. But you'll do as you see fit.

Love talk talk glenn from london

If you don't want to do the whole first side of spirit in one go, you can also only group the first two songs together and do the last one solo. They flow nicely into each other but desire is notably different enough, to inspect it on its own merits. Either way, you are in for a real treat.

Hey Justin, if you are leaning towards going back to Tommy Bolin and Teaser, try Homeward Strut. Great tune, funky and the musicianship is still there in spades. Sorry this vid. is a bit slow for my start of the day on my Bday, Cheers and keep the bangers coming!

Complete Laura Nyro way of singing

Listen to U.N.K.L.E. the song Chaos. Mark Hollis has left a few Piano notes in this song. Very minimal but every note one the right place. Another "beefy" reaction. Thank you Justin.

I could not find out how to send you (Justin) a PM, so here goes. I have a suggestion for an album review. Group: The Cut. Album: Shadow talks. Norwegian album from 1981 produced by John Leckie!!

13.23: Yep, 100%.

mark hollis knew WHEN to stop, he didnt belabor a sound or a melody--he knew when the attention span would be exhausted and ready to move on to another sound(s)

Great review, Justin, of a great album. I'm really looking forward to your listening to and review of their next album, Spirit Of Eden, though, because in my view it's quite simply a perfect work of unparalleled genius, an absolute masterpiece from beginning to end and easily one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. I agree with other commenters here that you really need to listen to the three pieces that comprise its first side in one listen as they flow together and constitute in effect a single piece. Anyway, the album truly is an experience like no other and I'm confident that you'll be blown away by it as I was when I first heard it (when it was released, in 1988) and thousands of listens later, still am to this day.

Justin, just between u & me ok? We both luv TBN don't we? Here's my secret about this TT album Apart from tracks 1,2,3,5 and the b side It's gettin late in the Evening, it's lacks that certain Emotional Romantic Yearning that TBN provide You know the heartfelt directness via a Crossbow and Arrow that leaves us in No Doubt what's up Even on songs about Traffic that paint Rain and Bleak Despair TBN always gave Hope via Soul & Pop Don't get me wrong TT and MH I've always admired but this is hookless Atmos that always veered too close to a Supertramp in my book. Close But No Cigar. There. I feel cleansed! Now 4 TD. a b r i d g e b e t w ee n TBN and TT. Play side one of the flat earth for a synopsis triumphant in it's s u rr o u n d soundscape. Three in One and One in Three. so to speak BTW the recorders in this are beautiful. underrated instrument in the right hands Diolch x

By the way, did you ever consider listening to Nick Drake? You'll love it!

I gotta add to the chorus below: Spirit of Eden is a game changer, and considered by many to be the godfather of Post-Rock. I just KNOW their record company was horrified when they heard Eden -that sh*t was WAY ahead of its time.

@Justin This is random, but what about Shelleyan Orphan? If you like dissonance and space and interesting composition.

Vc consegue falar como era MARKHOLLIS ANTES DOS SHOWS DEPOIS DOS SHOWS .FALAR DELE COMO ELE ERA ENFIM FALE DELE GISTARIA DE SABER.....

Please listen to first two albums, the rest are dodgy in my opinion and watching you dealing with them could be traumatic. I simply adore Chameleon Day, Marks vocals are so full of feeling. Great album and so pleased you like it 👍🏻

It's Getting Late In The Evening from the A-sides and B-sides album please.

Please do Spirit of Eden next. If possible, listen to side 1 in 1 sitting (Only 3 songs) as the songs all flow together.