Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk

I love so much this album that it is hard to express it in words. I always was a fan of Talk Talk from the very beginning, I always thought they were above the average "Pop-ish-New-Wave-Deep-Voice" group music.I didn't follow up after they kind of disappeared from the scene, until I started dreaming (at night in my bed) about their songs. What is rather strange... So, I decided to know more about their music and this CD seemed to me to be a good overview of their work.I was certainly not disappointed when I received this album!I thought I loved Talk Talk, that was nothing beside what I am feeling now, it is like if I got a concentrate of the Talk Talk essence power 10. I can't live, I can't sleep, I can't do anything without having the need to listen to this music, at such a point that I am going to buy everything that I don't already have, including the last CD made by Mark Hollis alone (named "Mark Hollis"), that I just ordered now.I am able to love "It's My Life" and "Such A Shame" but also "I believe in you" which is so delicate, sensitive, wonderful.The Live version of "Tomorrow's Started" is wow, to die for! I loved the original version too, but here, it brings something different, warmer, comforting but also languorous.It's difficult to say which songs are the best, because I love them all! Every time I listen to this album, I discover something new which makes me love it even more.It is also interesting to see the evolution of this group, very perceptible on this CD. Evolution but still Talk Talk, still Mark Hollis, still this deep warm voice which makes you faint, so beautiful it is. No doubt, he knows how to sing!Forgive my bad English, I am actually French living in the US. I discovered Talk Talk in Paris, and they followed me to L.A.I don't know a lot of groups able to overwhelm me by such a way during a so long period.Now, my problem is that I won't have enough of Mark Hollis' music. I can't wait to see what's next.I think when someone is so talented, he has the obligation to share this talent with his audience. Mark Hollis is a genius, he got several amazing gifts: playing music, composing, singing really well with a unique voice. He has to share a little more with us.I am counting on it.

Back in the early 90's I picked up a copy of Natural History because that was the only way to get the single My Foolish Friend at the time. I already had the first three Talk Talk albums. This newer release of the compilation is missing two live tracks recorded at the Hammerlsmith Odeon: LIFE'S WHAT YOU MAKE IT and TOMORROW'S STARTED. The trade off? You get all of the music videos Talk Talk ever released on a DVD.That's right. This one and only edition of Natural History that has a separate DVD of Talk Talk music videos. The only other place to get them was a VHS release also called Natural History, and now you have them on a digital hard copy. Better yet the VHS didn't have both versions of the video TALK TALK (just the artsy one with the people talking with their hands). How's that for best bang for the buck? Keep in mind while this is an all-region DVD it is in PAL format (the U.S. standard is NTSC). Make sure your DVD player can run PAL (I can confirm the Playstation 3 does).This compilation is a really good representation of the band's work on their first four albums. More emphasis is on songs from their most popular albums, It's My Life and Colour of Spring. That's okay because you still get what I consider their two best songs from The Party's Over and the two most accessable songs from Spirit of Eden. I prefer having the individual albums because there are lots of greats songs to enjoy, but if you just want a sampling of the band this is the way to go. I believe the audio tracks are remastered as well so you are getting the same fidelity as the newly remastered albums have.In conclusion if you like IT'S MY LIFE and want to hear more without investing in their five album collection AND want the best sounding versions of the songs AND like their videos this is the album to get. If you aren't into videos then go for the previously released non-import version. You would only miss the remastering on tracks from the first two albums. Plus you would get two bonus live tracks as well. All you TT fans should get this as well if just for the videos (and one of the few places you can get MY FOOLISH FRIEND) alone.

Talk Talk never really hit it big in the U.S., probably due to the lead singer Mark Hollis' extremely nasal style of singing. The only one of their songs I ever got into was "Life's What You Make It," and I played that one single to death back in the late 80's. But I recently took a chance on this affordably-priced compilation, and was more than pleasantly surprised by the diverse, sophisticated music these guys produced.Stylistically, the early material is reminiscent of Depeche Mode and late Roxy Music, but as the band matured it took on a very unique sound that defies comparison. Adding guitar and occasional wind intruments into the synth/bass/drums mix was a good idea, as it allowed Hollis and his songwriting partners to expand their horizons almost wothout limits. While the early hits like "Talk Talk" and "It's My Life" might be the most well-known, they only hint at the sophistication of the band's later material.For all the "new wave" music I listened to back in the 80's I'm amazed to find that I can't really lump this band in with anyone else. But I'd recommend this collection for anyone with an open mind. The only thing that might put some listeners off, as I already mentioned, is Hollis' voice. Much like Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music, Hollis had a sound that was immediately identifiable - not always for the better. But his music was always original and ground-breaking.bonus: the live version of their best (IMO) song, "Life's What You Make It" is incredible, and the other live track from the same 1986 show is great, as well.For the price, you really can't beat this one.

I was trying to think of another band that went through so much change in such a relatively short period of time as Talk Talk. I do not think it is an exaggeration to compare their progression from out-and-out pop to truly avant garde rock music in less than 10 years to the likes of Pink Floyd's development from the pure pop of Arnold Layne and See Emily Play through to the Wish You Were Here album over a similar period. You have here some of the finest pop singles made by anyone in the early to mid 1980's (alongside their pop videos, some with alternative versions) and it is only towards the end of this set that you get an inkling of where the band is headed with two tracks from 1988's Spirit of Eden. There are no tracks at all from the even more extreme Laughing Stock from 1991 and so this is fundamentally a singles collection and none the worse for that. But do let yourself be led into the dark side of the later albums and even into some of Mark Hollis's solo albums which have been quoted as influences by, amongst others, Radiohead, Portishead, Sigur Ros, Death Cab for Cutie and Elbow. A crucial band.

Talk Talk went from being New Romantic clones to experimental jazz-esque pioneers in the space of less than 7 years - as recorded here.The bonus of having their (frankly excellent, if mildly disturbing) videos finally on DVD makes this an utterly essential, and extremely good value purchase.Most are directed by Tim Pope, who focussed on great ideas and mood, rather than special effects. The live versions of Dum Dum Girl and Give It Up are particular highlights for me, though the bizarre images in Living In Another World, of the band adrift, upside down, in darkness, on a dismembered piano are wonderfully surreal, too!The later songs' production stand up well to the scrutiny of today's tastes, whereas the synth-pop charm of the earlier tracks has worn a little thin, even if the pop hooks are still intact.A truly great compilation, and whilst it may not be thought of as their 'best' work, does include all the singles.Enjoy!

This double disc album is brilliant, the CD lists their hits in release order, and the DVD is highly entertaining, so good to see all their videos on one disc.I recommend this to anyone who enjoys Talk Talk's music.

Love this album. I listen to it on Spotify and thought I would get the cd for better sound quality.The sound is awful! Sounds like it is a mono recording at very low volume.Gone back to Spotify and have chalked this one down to experience.

I almost missed them first time round but they were recommended to me when they were at their height. On revisiting this band I find great vocals , a really interesting synth sound (from the time) and some real passion in their delivery. Even better there was a genuine progression towards a broader sound in their later career. Will go for Spirit of Eden (also very good as well) but had to get the pop classics first. It's My Life is a real belter! Enjoy this album. I certainly have.