COLOUR OF SPRING

The transition of British synth-pop band Talk Talk into frontier-pushing explorers of post rock is one of the most fascinating and entertaining in music. Their 1986 album The Colour Of Spring hits the sweet spot between catchiness and creativity to deliver a hugely satisfying record that is both textured and timeless.

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Emerging from the UK New Wave scene in the early Eighties, Talk Talk signed to EMI and were invited to support Duran Duran on their 1982 tour. The association was a New Romantic dream with Talk Talk’s debut The Party’s Over accurately mirroring the sound of the times, albeit with more lyrical depth than other fashionable bands. A second album revealed significant development, with greater complexity in the music and more focus on the plaintive, reflective vocals of Mark Hollis.

The Colour Of Spring was Talk Talk’s third LP, their most successful to date. Reaching the top ten of the UK album charts, the album had two successful singles: the questing "Life’s What You Make It" and "Living In Another World." With all the songs being written by Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene, there is a consistency of vision throughout the record’s forty-five minute duration. Thematically, it has been described as a kind of concept album, loosely charting the trials and challenges of relationships while musing on the big questions of existence. Rarely has lofty lyrical ambition been paired with such engaging music.

The album opens with the optimistically titled "Happiness Is Easy." But titles can be misleading; the song questions the contribution of religion to society and pleads for young people to be taught the humanistic rather than domineering aspects of Christianity. A children’s chorus emphasises the innocence/experience divide. "I Don’t Believe You" explores how difficult it is to shift unhelpful behaviour patterns, and how painful it can be to witness an unsuccessful struggle to do so. The Hollis voice is perfect for this sad, beautiful song.

The upbeat, encouraging message of "Life’s What You Make It" is welcome at this point. The album’s first single invites and exhorts us to uncouple from past disappointments, advocating a forward focus that empowers movement and growth. Supported by a fascinating film clip—grab the Aerogard if you seek it out—"Life’s What You Make It" became Talk Talk’s most well-known song.

Side two opens with the anthemic "Living In Another World", featuring deft use of a harmonica solo. The lyrics are mixed quite a way back, but if excavated reveal the influence of existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, or so writer Hollis has claimed. The slow-grooving "Give It Up" has an abstract environmental message and a seriously catchy chorus; here Hollis sounds like nothing so much as an anguished Steve Winwood (and that’s a compliment). Penultimate track "Chameleon Day" provides a clear indication of the direction Talk Talk would move with their next project, the superb Spirit Of Eden. It is spacious, abstract, and elegantly haunting. One can hear the influences of the composers Hollis was immersed in at the time… Debussy, Satie, Bartók.

Closing song "Time It’s Time" is the longest on the album, building to an impassioned climax before a long, slow fade. the angelic choir adds a touch of celestial beauty behind the vocals. "Love is only sleeping", keens Hollis, "Wrapped in neglect."

The re-issue of this outstanding Eighties album is welcome indeed. Unwrapped from neglect, it bursts with rich Spring colour.

© Bruce Jenkins—September 2023