You said it all. It baffles me that, when this album was released, Talk Talk were considered a second-rate pop act. History did them justice.

It gets better. "It's My Life" is outstanding. Talk Talk is one of the great unsung bands of the '80s, imo. Rest in Peace Mark Hollis.

Funny is the fact that It's My life was a moderate hit in UK. Why? a real mystery. It was a tremendous hit here in Brazil and I know it was massive in several countries. It really annoys me when some people say the Talk Talk career began with the Colour of Spring (that's a masterpiece, for sure,. and one of the best records of my entire life). It's my life, in general, is a irregular art pop album, but has moments of pure genius. It's a Shame is one of them.

60 years old. Great to see a new generation falling in love with MH

Such A Shame is such a massive part of me now. My Mum used to love it when I was a kid, going to work with her, and I never stopped lisenting to it up until now, my thirties. Incredible song, one of the best singles of the whole 80s decade. You should give a listen to the Live at Montreux version. I can't wait till you get to "Tomorrow Started", the absolute hidden gem of that album.

I love love love Talk Talk. Credits also to Paul Webb on bass and Lee Harris on drums, two underappreciated musicians. And I hope you're doing more Talk Talk, from this album especially 'Tomorrow Started', one of my all-time favorites ever.

Yes, Mark WAS a genius. He fed his songs with a spiritual soul that wasn't always realized on first listen due to the "pop" aspect. Talk Talk also made great use of the 12" single format, where they were able to extend their visions for each song into a real work of art. The U.S. Extended version for "It's my life" will blow you away. The bass break down is magical.

When this album came out. It did better in continental Europe than in their own UK.Sometimes i listen to Talk Talk for the sound. Synths, Bass lines, Guitar sounds, in later albums those post rock SHOZYGS.

As far as synth-pop goes, it never got much better than this, and yet, the best was yet to come! And yes, the Sylvian comparison is spot on.

Yeah!.......Yeah!........Yeah!...........f-Yeah!!!! and Paul Webb is still one of my favorite bassists. I know Talk Talk fans can disregard the first 2 TT albums. But for a kid growing up in S. Texas surrounded by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Halen and ACDC heads, this band was such an eye opener. I've loved them since the debut and every one of their subsequent growing 4 albums. It made me wonder if other bands should have left it at 5 albums. We actually covered this in our band in the mid 80's. The crowd didn't get it, but a few came up and said I can't believe you played Talk Talk! I'm super glad you see this for what it is and the sheer joy it can bring!!!

I am always impressed by the quality of arrangements and production with this band. Unique but not strange. Innovative but also familiar.

Live at Montreux by Talk Talk is one of the best live acts I've ever seen and heard

Montreaux live is another level!!

I bought this album on cassette back in the day, the cassette is long gone but I have it on vinyl now, it’s a fantastic album, an underrated band who should have been more successful than they were

Great band who got better - some (below) don't like but those who 'get' Talk Talk and 'appreciate' Hollis and his unique vocals are damn lucky - recently introduced them to some music minded Brits here in Thailand and they are absolutely huge fans now.

Still blast this out in my home to this day, a masterpiece.

Mark Hollis said of “Such a Shame”: “(I)t’s inspired by the book ‘The Dice Man’ which is about decision making through dice throwing. Although they didn’t actually refer to it in the book, there’s a scene when he’s in party for an hour undergoing about ten different personality changes and that idea seemed quite appropriate in terms of what we’re doing. It’s a fabulous book, the idea is so appealing. I’ve just written ten times as many lyrics as I needed and thrown the dice on which ones go in. It’s ultimately wrong though, definitely immoral!”

My heart skipped a little beat when I saw you had uploaded another Talk Talk song, Justin. When you gazed intently into the camera I knew you were vibing to this song. (It’s your tell. 😉) I think you’d also enjoy their first album, in particular the title track, The Party’s Over and of course, Talk Talk. This album is noted as ‘rock’ in Apple Music but I think ‘art pop’ is a better descriptive. A very good album which I’ll now have to listen to in full…darn it!

Talk Talk are such an amazing band. I first heard the song "Talk Talk" in the Eighties, and thought it was a pretty cool "Eighties style" pop song, but over time they developed into so much more. I remember this song very well from the Eighties, but I had forgotten how intricate it was. For example, I didn't remember that whole long introduction. They really "do the business"! Thanks for the review. 😎😎

YES YES! I saw this band do their first big gig in London. They were awesome. Great track to choose, one of my favourites. Also Mark Hollis (RIP) was a genius. THANKS JP (can I hope, as a Beatles fan, that it stands for John Paul?). Cheers from a chilly East Coast of England. x

One of the best bands ever in the 80ies with Mark Hollis - great singer with such a unique voice....what a tragedy he past away recently...RIP MH

This track, and the whole album, is so well put together. Looking back to when Talk Talk were producing so much quality content it's a little puzzling that they didn't have more success, or at least exposure. Thanks JP, there's plenty more on the album to enjoy!!

Talk Talk's first record label did them a major disservice by initially marketing them as a pretty boy pop band in the mold of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. This created an unrealistic perception which endured in the UK.

FYI: David Sylvian was a fan of Talk Talk. There's a fabulous remix version of this track, but I doubt it is available in digital format.

CONGRATS on 20k and this is one of my favourite Talk Talk songs ever the next song Renee, the title track and Tomorrow Started are all bangers.

I grew up in the good old GDR... OK, OK, stop laughing 😂- But this is important for context. When I was 11 years old, THIS song was played on the radio. We in the GDR had our own youth channel where they played such gems. This melody that Mark sings, this special atmosphere throughout the whole song. For years, even throughout the 90s, I only had one word for this song: Wow! And I never forget one situation on this radio station: It was possible to record from the radio because they did not talk over the end of a song like nowadays. And with this version of "Such a shame" there also was a problem because the end is not clear. The radio man said: "Well, dude, is it finally over?" - I will never forget it. "Such a shame" is a song for eternity. Even in 500 years, they will still ask: "Is it finally over?" 😅 - What a tune! Thank you for bringing this up!

i love this song. The perfect blend of catchy melody encapsulated in an interesting and continually stimulating arrangement

A very fine band. Life’s What you make it, my favourite song. Mark Hollis was great!

You don't see such a powerful bass sound on a pop song very often. It's so good.

This was the first song I heard from Talk Talk . It is truly my favorite hearing that slight strain in his voice and the atmospheric sound contrasting it. Perfect.

You have no idea how many times I listen to this on repeat. Amazing song. Thanks for your video! ❤

I’m obsessed with this band. Tomorrow started is today’s favourite.

I love this sooooooo much. I play it all the time. Love Mark in the video. Lovely to see him smile. Shame he's no longer with us.

Mark was a great composer and singer. His voice was instantly recognisable. In the videos he always came across as the guy you would like to have a drink with in the pub. An enormous loss to music. A brilliant song. The sound of that "reverse" synth is one of the great sounds of the 80s.

Watch the official video for this song. Mark Hollis always had a reputation for being so SERIOUS. It was a shock to see him actually smile and have fun doing the video!

That start could be a Peter Gabriel song !

Oh boy, this song! For sure in my all times favorite songlist! I was 10 years old when it came out and love it and hear it again and again till my dying day! You're right, THAT'S what a good pop song is! Thanks bro 👍🏼

Where are your 20K balloons

Hi JP. Dave from The London I Love. I only really got into Talk Talk with the next album, The Colour of Spring. This song is typical of It's My Life: melodic pop and Mark's wonderful vocals. But it was a little too synth-pop for my liking. Love the title track though. P.S. My song ref The London I Love is by Vera Lynn!

Alright, some more Talk Talk. I hope you continue with this album. "Tomorrow Started", best track on the album.

May I say: I love your reviews, so precise, honest, and enjoyable!

I really love this song. I recently listened to the whole album and I loved it. I knew the more famous songs, which are mostly on the first half of the album, but not the rest. To me "Tomorrow Started" was the hidden gem on the album, so looking forward to you reaction to that one.

Besides it's a brilliant pop song, it's also full of unique sounds and (sort of) hidden hooklines! I really love this tune and some of their other songs a LOT.

Talk Talk we’re in their own category. They took you on a journey like few bands did. The video of this song is a must see. It really highlights Hollis’s personality that you didn’t get to see a lot.

80s Sound, Best Musical Era

You need to listen to “Love is a wonderful colour” by The Icicle Works , from late ‘83 . Also check out the solo works by their lead singer Ian McNabb , quite possibly the most underrated songwriter around.

Love this song. As far as I'm concerned the 80s is the mecca of Pop. I think you would like some Erasure (Chains of Love) and some OMD (So in Love) from around that same time and a similar vibe 🧡

Three points: first, not sure what platform you're listening to this on Justin, but you missed the original, gorgeous FADE IN and FADE OUT of the song. Whatever the app is doing is playing everything at the same level, and the drama and impact are seriously diminished. Second, Side A of the It's My Life album is just about perfect. You can hear the pointers to The Colour Of Spring all over "Such A Shame." Third, don't take so long to come back to this! :-)

epic song from an epic album by an epic band!!!

20K!!! It should be 200K. I'm still shocked that it's not. You have one of the best KZfaq reaction channels. I don't get it.

The ice cream lady wet her drawers to see you in the Passion Play.

It’s such a shame….that Mark Hollis is no longer with us 😩

This album version I listened to many times while cleaning a school because I had to work extra to pay temporarily extra taxes. Via this track I discovered talktalk

always loved Talk Talk never understood why they were not a huge band, mind you they wouldn't have done the media shit that goes with all that. Mark was an artist first and foremost, so sad that he died

One of my favourite Talk Talk songs. Love his voice so much ❤️ still can’t believe he’s not around anymore 🥲 Thanks JP, your reactions are always spot on 👍🏻

What sets TT apart from almost all other groups is their use of bridges. Most rock songs (outside of progressive rock) consist of some variation of verse, chorus, instrumental break. Many TT songs also have a bridging section, but more importantly, the verse, bridge and chorus are all very catchy.

This song always transports me back to a very specific and exhilarating time of my life, so it's impossible for me to be objective about it. But yes, this album is good, and it does get better from this. This album was the start of Talk Talk's relationship with Tim Friese-Greene, and that relationship led to a deep infatuation with Catherine Wheel. I'm sure you've been bombarded with suggestions, but since you seem to be enjoying Talk Talk, it only makes sense to follow up with an investigation of the band that became Friese-Greene's main musical outlet after the dissolution of Talk Talk. The place to start with Catherine wheel is their debut record, Ferment, one of the best shoegaze records of all time, then go on chronologically. To put all this in context, I still hold that the best records of the 90s were all released in 1998. Radiohead's "OK, Computer", to no one's surprise, Massive Attack's "Mezzanine", and Catherine Wheel's "Adam and Eve".

You should check out a band called Television. Their debut album, Marquee Moon, has two of the best opening songs ever. "See No Evil" and "Venus".

Is that a melody or what? Such passion, panache and exhilaration! Sylvian yes and ultimately the iconic Bryan Ferry.

CONGRATS 20000 SUBS .🎉🎂😁🧗🎈not sure why I went Rock climbing to celebrate . Well done mate.

Great hit, great song. Love this album. You’ve got 20k subscribers. Congratulations 🎂🎉

Talk Talk were always the cool band in England.

Talk Talk were a late love for me. My best friend in middle school loved them, I didn't . We reconnected in college and guess what I was into them ! He did say that he loved the music but didn't understand the lyrics. I guess we had to grow to really appreciate TT and Mark Hollis ! Just to be clear I'm French ;)

Don't miss 'Tomorrow Started'.....

Roll the dice, it's just a game. Where you start, if you are lucky you will not remain. With the knowledge to grow and the wisdom to change. If you don't learn with each roll- Such A Shame. Peace.

So pleased you are checking out Talk Talk, a great band. Please, please, please "Renée". Sheer melancholic rapture!

Love these Talk Talk reactions. Have you reacted to the one that started it all, "Talk Talk?" That is such a cool pop song and has lost none of the fizz.

I love talk talk

This is, and they are great. Thanks, JP, please continue. Someone less enthralled left a raft of IHO, equally or more worthy choices. I've enjoyed some of their picks, don't recall or recognize others, and in turn submit 'Wouldn't It Be Good' by Nik Kershaw. Less challenging or groundbreaking, prob'ly, but a deceptively carefully crafted nugget, iMo, well worth a listen and the JP once-over, hopefully. Salud, dude-man (buddy-guy, lol) ;>D

should listen to the this track such a shame and Life's what you make it on the live performance Live at Montreux they are the best versions of both these songs and one of the best live performances you will ever hear

Almost thumbs up any video re TalkTalk immediately...so great, so underappreciated.

Taken the delivery of the remastered version of this album this week. He is a genius

I struggle with the term genius and I think it’s used too often with regard to musicians. There may be some geniuses who just so happen to play music but that doesn’t necessarily translate to musical genius. (You never said that Hollis was a musical genius so it’s nothing against what you said). To me, a musical genius is somebody like Herbie Hancock. When Miles Davis turns to you and you think he says “don’t play the ‘butter’ notes” so, on the spot, you remove all the thirds and sevenths from the chords and replace them with other notes and then lay down one of the greatest and most iconic recordings of all time; that’s genius!

This one is my favorite from their synth-poppy period.

omg.... haven't heard it in years. I forgot how insanely good this is! Goosebumps.

Nostalgia, energia , oscuridad y luz . Esta canción lo tiene todo !!!

"It's My Life" and "Such a Shame" are songs that I heard too much on the airwaves in the 80s. I was already struggling to listen to them in 1984 so even more in 2021. It is far from bad but it doesn't move me.

For me one of the most essential 80's hits. Please check out their live version

In a word, .. BRILLIANT!! ..

The evolution of the band is wonderful to see (and hear!) The title track is pop brilliance. They had a few labels thrown at them - being compared to Roxy Music etc. I love how this track ends. Hints of what’s to come.

Wow, love this song! Im very familiar with the 'Its my life' song, but not the album. Need to listen to more!

Justin, here we agree. Pop indeed POPS. Gotta have some beats and hooks and harmonies. To start with. It's not easy. Many have tried, almost as many have failed.

Yes, it's 5 minutes long on the album, but it was shortened to just over 4 for the single version (Shorter intro and outro). And hearing this song for the first time in many, many years now, it's way more obvious to me than ever before that it is indeed a perfect Pop song, I agree! 😀👍 I was 14 when this song started popping up on radio and TV, and it was my very first TT impression, reminding me of an amazing Summer family holiday in the Netherlands 😊 The mid 80's were the musical peak of that decade, in my opinion 🙂

It's well worth watching the video for this song!

TOMORROW STARTED an epic

Bought the 12" of this when it first came out in the UK and played it to death. It's funny reading the comments saying Talk Talk didn't have the same huge impact in my country as they did in Europe and Brazil. They were always hugely popular in all my London circles. Sure, they weren't as big as Duran Duran, but very few bands were. By the way, I think the Extended 12" version is better than the album version that's played here.

I bought Today when it came out and still one of my favourites

David Sylvian, Japan and Roxy Music comparisons are legitimate 👍

No it's written by Luke Reinhart (at least my copy was); absolutely fantastic book. It is extremely funny, you have to read it, honest, you won't be sorry.

Hi Justin, did you finish doing the TT albums you started? I remember seeing some reactions but then they stopped

Why does nobody ever seem to mention today by talk talk, its probably the song that made me first take notice of them

Pink Floyd of the 80s!

Good song however dude needs to open his throat- he has the Kermit thing going, not a bad thing...I'd like to hear myself do that vocal.

All new to me. I liked it a bit even before you started your reaction and of course appreciated it even more after. Thanks for exploring this with us. Okay "art pop" works for me, but just pop didn't. Too creative to be just pop... Flock of Seagulls is pop synth yuck, this is as you say "art pop". Didn't love it, but it also was not a turn off either. Thanks again.

This is also one I heard too often once upon a time, but I have to say that it hasn't killed it for me. That said, I didn't get it back then (let's put it that way, since it's a fact), and I still don't. Not fully. There's enough I like in it to listen to it (and listen to it again, even) but it doesn't really grab my attention. Could be because it was background music to "the club days", which entire world I lost interest in quite quickly. Anyway, thanks for making me listen a bit more attentively to the song than I usually would. Maybe I must listen again. Sometimes we listen without hearing, hey?

The perfect pop song? Well Abba had some form in that regard, perhaps you haven't featured them because none would be a first listen for you? Their swansong is a triumph. Still enjoy tuning in to you JP.

Oh boy oh boy I gotta agree with Olivares here , JP. We’ve been deafened by the TT legacy. Good withMediocre tendencies pop at best - Here are 14 pop pearls from the eighties by bands / artists u ain’t heard on ya channel as yet Erasure - A little respect Stephen TinTin Duffy - Kiss Me Spandau Ballet - i’ll fly for you Haddaway - what is love? Howard Jones No one is to Blame (wiv PC on drums please) Icicle Works - love is a wonderful colour Triffids - Wide Open Road Passions - im in love with a German Film star Paul Hardcastle -19 Judie Tzuke - I’ll be the one Wonder Stuff - Unbearable/ A wish away Doll by Doll - main travelled roads Scritti Politti - a little knowledge Microdisney - town to town D Train - Music That is it. As the so called king of so called pop almost said b4 he flew the pop nest. This? It falls between a wok and a heart place , landin in tepid lukewarm waters without a dinghy. Many thanks though.

I'm a big fan of yours but as an older guy (66 next week) you are somewhat losing me on some of the 80s and newer stuff. Now, you certainly need to play to the audience that builds your base but just to let you know I kinda wait back for more of the 70s and 60s look backs. I liked this one and do like the Talk Talk track also by these guys but just to let you know you do play to an older audience who anticipates a more youthful reaction to what we've loved for 4 or 5 decades. Keep rockin' JP. Really like your channel and I follow about 4 others regularly.

i thought pop meant popular ?

80s British pop. You know, I drank way too much in the 80s. Maybe I subconsciously associate 80s music with awful hangovers. But then again, I might not. Life is a mystery.