Album Information:

About Talk Talk:

Talk Talk was an English rock band formed in London in 1981, consisting of Mark Hollis (vocals), Lee Harris (drums), Paul Webb (bass), and Simon Brenner (keyboards). The band started off in the New Romantic movement of the early 1980s, but quickly evolved their sound to a more experimental and unique style that incorporated elements of jazz, ambient, and art rock.

Talk Talk's debut album, The Party's Over (1982), featured catchy synth-driven pop songs that gained the band some notoriety, but it was their sophomore album, It's My Life (1984), that truly launched them onto the international stage. The title track became a hit single and the album showcased a more mature and refined sound, with influences from the emerging new wave of British art rock bands like The Psychedelic Furs and Echo & the Bunnymen.

However, it was with their third album, The Colour of Spring (1986), that Talk Talk really began to push the boundaries of their sound. The album's atmospheric and introspective tracks like 'April 5th' and 'Chameleon Day' were a marked departure from their earlier pop-oriented material, and showcased the band's growing interest in jazz and experimental music.

Talk Talk's fourth album, Spirit of Eden (1988), was a true game changer. The album completely abandoned any notions of conventional song structure, instead opting for long, sprawling, and ambient soundscapes that were rooted in jazz and classical music. The album was heavily influenced by the work of minimalist composer Steve Reich, and marked a radical departure from the band's earlier material.

Their final album, Laughing Stock (1991), continued this trend, with the band continuing to explore unconventional musical territories. The album featured minimalistic arrangements and long, introspective tracks that often featured little more than Hollis' haunting vocals and some sparse instrumentation.

Following the release of Laughing Stock, the band effectively ceased to exist. Hollis went on to release a critically acclaimed solo album in 1998, but largely retired from music following that release. Harris turned to session work, while Webb continued to release music under his stage name Rustin Man.

Overall, Talk Talk's legacy is one of innovation and experimentation. Though they were initially associated with the new wave and synth-pop movements, they quickly outgrew those labels, and went on to create some of the most boundary-pushing and challenging music of the era. Today, their influence can be heard in the work of artists like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, and Spiritualized.

About the album Natural History - The Very Best Of Talk Talk:

Natural History - The Very Best Of Talk Talk is a compilation album by the British band, Talk Talk. The album was released in 1990 and features 16 of their best tracks spanning from their early synth-pop and new wave era to their later experimental and ambient sounds.

The first track on the album is 'Talk Talk' from their 1982 album 'The Party's Over'. It's an upbeat and catchy song with strong synth melodies and driving rhythms. The follow-up track, 'Today' (also from 'The Party's Over') continues this energy with its upbeat and simple melody that captures the essence of 80s pop music.

The album takes a bit of a turn with the third track, 'My Foolish Friend' from their 1984 album 'It's My Life'. This song has a more reflective and introspective tone to it, with a slower tempo and more intricate instrumentation. Continuing on this more mellow note is 'Such A Shame,' also from 'It's My Life,' which features a haunting melody and atmospheric soundscapes that have become a hallmark of Talk Talk's later work.

The album then moves onto 'Dum Dum Girl' from their 1986 album 'The Colour Of Spring'. This song blends catchy synthpop melodies with more intricate rhythms and a deeper, more complex sound.

The next track, 'Life's What You Make It,' is one of Talk Talk's most well-known songs. It features a powerful and uplifting message conveyed through its energetic, triumphant melody and driving rhythms.

The album then moves onto 'Living In Another World,' also from 'The Colour Of Spring.' This track features a more experimental sound compared to their earlier work, with intricate synth soundscapes and an almost hypnotic quality to its rhythm.

The next two tracks, 'Give It Up' and 'It's Getting Late In The Evening,' are both from the 1988 album 'Spirit of Eden.' These tracks capture the shift in Talk Talk's style away from pop music and towards experimental and ambient music. 'Give It Up' features a slow, sprawling soundscape with sparse vocals and intricate instrumentation while 'It's Getting Late In The Evening' is a darker and more atmospheric track with haunting vocals and intricate guitar work.

The album closes with 'Happiness Is Easy,' from the same album as 'Life's What You Make It.' This track features a similar uplifting message and triumphant melody, but with a more experimental and less structured sound.

Overall, Natural History - The Very Best Of Talk Talk is a great overview of the band's career and evolution. It showcases their early synthpop roots as well as the artistic experimentation and ambition that led them to move away from pop music and towards more avant-garde sounds. It's an essential album for anyone interested in Talk Talk's music and the evolution of 80s pop music in general.

Members:

Talk Talk was a British rock band formed in 1981. Throughout their career, they underwent numerous personnel changes, but the core members of the band included:

1. Mark Hollis - Hollis was the lead vocalist, guitarist, and main songwriter of Talk Talk. He was born on January 4, 1955, in Tottenham, London. Hollis began his musical career in the late 1970s, playing guitar in various punk and new wave bands such as The Reaction and The Unwashed. He formed Talk Talk in 1981 with Lee Harris and Paul Webb. Hollis was known for his distinctive singing style, which varied from a whisper to a powerful cry. He passed away on February 25, 2019, at the age of 64.

2. Lee Harris - Harris was the drummer of Talk Talk. He was born on July 20, 1962, in London, UK. Harris began playing drums when he was 12 years old and joined Talk Talk in 1981. He played on all of their albums and was known for his precise, groove-oriented playing style.

3. Paul Webb - Webb was the bassist of Talk Talk. He was born on January 16, 1962, in London, UK. Webb met Hollis and Harris at a party and joined Talk Talk in 1981. He played on all of their albums and was known for his melodic, fluid bass lines. After Talk Talk disbanded in 1991, Webb formed the band Rustin Man with Beth Gibbons of Portishead.

Other key members of Talk Talk throughout their career included:

- Simon Brenner - Brenner played keyboards and synthesizers on Talk Talk's early albums. He left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career.

- Tim Friese-Greene - Friese-Greene joined Talk Talk in 1983 as a keyboard player and producer. He co-wrote many of their songs and helped shape their sound. After Talk Talk disbanded, he continued to work as a producer and musician.

- Robbie McIntosh - McIntosh played guitar on Talk Talk's final album, 'Laughing Stock.' He had previously played with The Pretenders and Paul McCartney.

- Martin Ditcham - Ditcham played percussion on Talk Talk's final album, 'Laughing Stock.' He had previously played with The Waterboys and Peter Gabriel.

Track List for Natural History - The Very Best Of Talk Talk:

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Discography for Talk Talk:

Here is the complete discography for the artist Talk Talk in chronological order:

Albums:
1. 'The Party's Over' (1982)
2. 'It's My Life' (1984)
3. 'The Colour of Spring' (1986)
4. 'Spirit of Eden' (1988)
5. 'Laughing Stock' (1991)

Singles:
1. 'Mirror Man' / 'Talk Talk' (1982)
2. 'Today' / 'Talk Talk' (1982)
3. 'My Foolish Friend' / 'Call in the Night Boy' (1983)
4. 'Such a Shame' / 'Again a Game…Again' (1984)
5. 'Dum Dum Girl' / 'It's Getting Late in the Evening' (1984)
6. 'It's My Life' / 'Does Caroline Know' (1984)
7. 'The Last Time' / 'Living in Another World' (1985)
8. 'Life's What You Make It' / 'It's Time' (1986)
9. 'Living in Another World' / 'Chameleon Day' (1986)
10. 'Give It Up' / 'John Cope' (1986)
11. 'I Believe in You' / 'Spirit of Eden' (1988)
12. 'Happiness Is Easy' / 'I Don't Believe in You' (1989)
13. 'Eden' / 'Desire' (1991)

Other Releases:
1. 'Today (Live)' - Promo only (1982)
2. 'It's My Mix' - Remixes (1985)
3. 'Trawl' - B-sides, alternate versions and rarities (1991)
4. 'Asides Besides' - B-sides, non-album singles and rarities (1998)
5. 'Natural Order' - B-sides, demos, and live tracks (2003)

Note: There may be other regional singles and versions of album releases with alternative artwork and track listings, but the above list covers the main releases.