The Colour of Spring

Last updated

The Colour of Spring
Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring.jpg
Studio album by
Talk Talk
Released17 February 1986
Recorded1985, London
Studio
Genre
Length45:40
Label EMI
Producer Tim Friese-Greene
Talk Talk chronology
It's My Life
(1984)		The Colour of Spring
(1986)		 Spirit of Eden
(1988)
Singles from The Colour of Spring
  1. "Life's What You Make It"
    Released: 6 January 1986 (UK)
  2. "Living in Another World"
    Released: 3 March 1986
  3. "Give It Up"
    Released: 6 May 1986
  4. "I Don't Believe in You"
    Released: 10 November 1986

The Colour of Spring is the third studio album by English band Talk Talk, released on 17 February 1986. Written by Mark Hollis and producer Tim Friese-Greene, the album combines elements of jazz and art pop in an effort by Hollis to embrace more organic instrumentation and production values. [7] Unlike previous Talk Talk albums, synthesizers are rarely featured on the album, being replaced by guitar, piano, and organ. [8] The album went on to become Talk Talk's greatest commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World" and reaching the Top 20 in numerous countries (topping the Dutch charts), including the UK, where it reached No. 8 and stayed in the UK charts for 21 weeks. [9]

Contents

Background

The Colour of Spring is commonly viewed as a bridge between Talk Talk's earlier, synthesized pop sound, and their later, more improvisation-based work. Despite the extensive use of synthesizers on the previous two albums, Hollis was vocal in his distaste for them, stating that they were used primarily for economic reasons and that “if they didn’t exist, I’d be delighted.” [10] During the recording of the album, Hollis frequently listened to the music of composers such as Erik Satie, Claude Debussy, and Béla Bartók, with the latter being a particularly significant influence on the album. [11]

Like other Talk Talk albums, outside musicians were heavily utilized. Guests contributing to the album include Robbie McIntosh adding guitar, and Steve Winwood, who played organ on the hit "Living in Another World", alongside "Happiness is Easy" and "I Don't Believe in You". [12]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [13]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Uncut 9/10 [17]

The Colour of Spring became the band's highest selling non-compilation studio album, reaching the Top 20 in numerous countries (topping the Dutch charts), including the UK, where it reached No. 8 and stayed in the UK charts for 21 weeks. [9] It did not quite match the sales of its predecessor in the United States but was nonetheless their last album to enter the Billboard 200, reaching number 58. [18] With the international hit "Life's What You Make It", Talk Talk expanded their fan base. The song became the band's fourth of four American hits, along with 1982's "Talk Talk" and 1984's "It's My Life" and "Such a Shame".

The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . [19]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Tim Friese-Greene and Mark Hollis

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Happiness Is Easy"6:30
2."I Don't Believe in You"5:02
3."Life's What You Make It"4:29
4."April 5th"5:51
Side two
No.TitleLength
5."Living in Another World"6:58
6."Give It Up"5:17
7."Chameleon Day"3:20
8."Time It's Time"8:14
Total length:45:40

Personnel

Credits per album notes. [20]

Talk Talk
Additional personnel
Technical

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [34] Gold50,000^
Netherlands (NVPI) [35] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [36] Gold100,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talk Talk</span> English pop and post-rock group (1981–1991)

Talk Talk were an English band formed in 1981, led by Mark Hollis, Lee Harris (drums), and Paul Webb (bass). Initially a synth-pop group, Talk Talk's first two albums, The Party's Over (1982) and It's My Life (1984), reached top 40 in the UK and produced the international hit singles "Talk Talk", "Today", "It's My Life", and "Such a Shame". They achieved widespread critical success in Europe and the UK with the album The Colour of Spring (1986) along with its singles "Life's What You Make It" and "Living in Another World". 1988's Spirit of Eden moved the group towards a more experimental sound informed by jazz and free improvisation, pioneering what became known as post-rock; it was critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful.

<i>Its My Life</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Talk Talk

It's My Life is the second studio album by English band Talk Talk, released on 13 February 1984.

<i>Spirit of Eden</i> 1988 studio album by Talk Talk

Spirit of Eden is the fourth studio album by English band Talk Talk, released in 1988 on Parlophone Records. The songs were written by singer Mark Hollis and producer Tim Friese-Greene and the album was compiled from a lengthy recording process at London's Wessex Studios between 1987 and 1988. Often working in darkness, the band recorded many hours of improvised performances that drew on elements of jazz, ambient, blues, classical music, and dub. These long-form recordings were then heavily edited and re-arranged into an album in mostly digital format.

<i>Laughing Stock</i> 1991 album by Talk Talk

Laughing Stock is the fifth and final studio album by English band Talk Talk, released in 1991. Following their previous release Spirit of Eden (1988), bassist Paul Webb left the group, which reduced Talk Talk to the duo of singer/multi-instrumentalist Mark Hollis and drummer Lee Harris. Talk Talk then acrimoniously left EMI and signed to Polydor, who released the album on their newly revitalised jazz-based Verve Records label. Laughing Stock was recorded at London's Wessex Sound Studios from September 1990 to April 1991 with producer Tim Friese-Greene and engineer Phill Brown.

<i>Be Yourself Tonight</i> 1985 studio album by Eurythmics

Be Yourself Tonight is the fourth studio album by British pop duo Eurythmics, released on 29 April 1985 by RCA Records.

<i>Speaking in Tongues</i> (Talking Heads album) 1983 studio album by Talking Heads

Speaking in Tongues is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Talking Heads, released on June 1, 1983, by Sire Records. After their split with producer Brian Eno and a short hiatus, which allowed the individual members to pursue side projects, recording began in 1982. It became the band's commercial breakthrough and produced the band's sole US top-ten hit, "Burning Down the House", which reached No. 9 in the Billboard Chart.

<i>Get Close</i> 1986 album by the Pretenders

Get Close is the fourth studio album by rock band the Pretenders, released on 20 October 1986 in the United Kingdom by Real Records and on 4 November 1986 in the United States by Sire Records. The album contains the band's two highest-charting Mainstream Rock Tracks entries, "Don't Get Me Wrong" and "My Baby", both of which reached number one.

<i>Contact</i> (Pointer Sisters album) 1985 studio album by Pointer Sisters

Contact is the eleventh studio album by the American vocal group The Pointer Sisters, released in 1985 by RCA Records.

<i>Im in You</i> 1977 studio album by Peter Frampton

I'm in You is the fifth studio album by English musician and songwriter Peter Frampton. It was released on 3 June 1977, almost a year and a half after his 1976 signature breakthrough live album, Frampton Comes Alive! It was recorded at Electric Lady Studios in New York, where Frampton's Camel was recorded four years earlier. Stevie Wonder, Richie Hayward, Mike Finnigan and Mick Jagger are featured on the album.

<i>The Very Best Of</i> (Eagles album) 2003 greatest hits album by the Eagles

The Very Best Of is a two-disc compilation album by the Eagles, released in 2003. This album combines all tracks that appeared on the two previously released Eagles greatest hits albums (Their Greatest Hits and Eagles Greatest Hits, Vol. 2), along with other singles not included on the first two compilations, album tracks, and the new track "Hole in the World".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Life's What You Make It (Talk Talk song)</span> 1985 single by Talk Talk

"Life's What You Make It" is a song by the English band Talk Talk. It was released as a single in 1985, the first from the band's album The Colour of Spring. The single was a hit in the UK in January 1986, peaking at No. 16, and charted in numerous other countries, often reaching the Top 20.

<i>Live at Montreux 1986</i> 2008 video by Talk Talk

Live at Montreux 1986 is a concert video release by the English band Talk Talk of a concert at 1986 Montreux Jazz Festival. The show was part of a tour that started in April 1986 to promote the band's recent album The Colour of Spring, and was to be their only appearance at Montreux, from their last tour. The video captures Talk Talk at the peak of their career.

<i>Fragrant World</i> 2012 studio album by Yeasayer

Fragrant World is the third studio album by American psychedelic pop band Yeasayer, released on August 21, 2012, on Secretly Canadian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It Up (Talk Talk song)</span> 1986 song by Talk Talk

"Give It Up" is a song by English band Talk Talk, released by Parlophone in 1986 as the third single from their third studio album The Colour of Spring. The song was written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, and produced by Friese-Greene. "Give It Up" peaked at number 59 in the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Beautiful Lies</i> (Birdy album) 2016 studio album by Birdy

Beautiful Lies is the third studio album by British musician Birdy, released on 25 March 2016 by Atlantic Records. The album includes the singles "Keeping Your Head Up", "Wild Horses", "Words", and "Hear You Calling".

<i>No Shape</i> 2017 studio album by Perfume Genius

No Shape is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Perfume Genius, released on May 5, 2017, through Matador Records as the follow-up to Too Bright (2014).

<i>Staying at Tamaras</i> 2018 studio album by George Ezra

Staying at Tamara's is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter George Ezra. It was released on 23 March 2018. The album reached number one in the UK as well as the top ten of several other countries including Australia and New Zealand. The album includes the singles "Paradise" and "Shotgun", which peaked at number two and number one on the UK Singles Chart, respectively.

<i>Remind Me Tomorrow</i> 2019 studio album by Sharon Van Etten

Remind Me Tomorrow is the fifth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten. It was released on January 18, 2019 on Jagjaguwar. A follow-up to Are We There (2014), the album was written while Van Etten was pregnant with her first child, attending school to obtain a degree in psychology, acting in the Netflix series The OA (2016), and making a cameo in Twin Peaks (2017).

<i>Late Night Feelings</i> 2019 studio album by Mark Ronson

Late Night Feelings is the fifth studio album by American producer Mark Ronson. It was released on 21 June 2019. It is his first album in four years, following Uptown Special (2015). Its lead single, "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" featuring Miley Cyrus, was released on 29 November 2018. The title track "Late Night Feelings", featuring Lykke Li, was released alongside the album pre-order on 12 April. "Don't Leave Me Lonely" was released on 17 May 2019 as the album's third single. "Find U Again" featuring Camila Cabello was released on 30 May 2019 as the fourth single. "Pieces of Us" featuring King Princess was released on 17 June 2019 as the album's fifth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Believe in You</span> 1986 song by Talk Talk

"I Don't Believe in You" is a song by English band Talk Talk, released by Parlophone in 1986 as the fourth and final single from their third studio album The Colour of Spring. The song was written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, and produced by Friese-Greene. "I Don't Believe in You" peaked at number 96 in the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. ↑ Unwin, Neville; Goodyer, Tim (April 1986). "Talkback". Home and Recording Studio.
  2. ↑ Marsh, James; Roberts, Chris; Benjamin, Toby (2015). Spirit of Talk Talk (Paperback ed.). London: Rocket 88. p. 74. ISBN   9781906615956.
  3. ↑ Terich, Jeff (2 March 2009). "The 90-Minute Guide: New Wave". Treble. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ↑ Cashen, Calvin (8 March 2016). "Top art pop albums of the '80s". The Concordian . Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Steinberg, Jessica (3 October 2018). "Progressive rock musician Steven Wilson to play Israel". The Times of Israel . Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  6. ↑ Terich, Jeff (12 August 2008). "Talk Talk: Laughing Stock". Treble. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Talk Talk - the Colour of Spring (Album review ) | Sputnikmusic".
  8. ↑ Crossley, Neil (25 February 2021). "Making Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring". Classic Pop. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  9. 1 2 David Roberts British Hit Singles and Albums, Guinness World Records Limited
  10. ↑ Crossley, Neil (25 February 2021). "Making Talk Talk – The Colour Of Spring". Classic Pop. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  11. ↑ Crossley, Neil (29 July 2019). "Talk Talk — The Colour of Spring". Long Live Vinyl. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Album of the Day – The Colour of Spring". Rhino. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Woodstra, Chris. "The Colour of Spring – Talk Talk". AllMusic . Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2009). "Talk Talk" . The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th online ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-199-72636-3 . Retrieved 26 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Eccleston, Danny (May 2012). "Lost Horizon". Mojo . No. 222. London. p. 100. ISSN   1351-0193.
  16. ↑ "Talk Talk: The Colour of Spring". Q . No. 211. London. February 2004. p. 119.
  17. ↑ Thomson, Graeme (May 2019). "Mark Hollis: Buyer's Guide". Uncut . No. 264. London. p. 53.
  18. 1 2 "Talk Talk Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  19. ↑ Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (23 March 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN   978-0-7893-2074-2.
  20. ↑ The Colour of Spring (Liner notes). Talk Talk. EMI Records. 2012. pp. 2–5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 304. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  22. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "Charts.nz – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  26. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  27. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  28. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  32. ↑ "European Hot 100 Albums – Hot 100 of the Year 1986" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 3, no. 51/52. 27 December 1986. p. 35. OCLC   29800226 – via World Radio History.
  33. ↑ "Top 100 Albums (January to December 1986)" (PDF). Music Week. 24 January 1987. p. 25. ISSN   0265-1548 – via World Radio History.
  34. ↑ "Canadian album certifications – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". Music Canada . Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  35. ↑ "Dutch album certifications – Talk Talk – Colour of Spring" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers . Retrieved 24 August 2019.Enter Colour of Spring in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  36. ↑ "British album certifications – Talk Talk – The Colour of Spring". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 24 August 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.