Talk Talk

On the basis of statistics alone they could be seen as a bunch of underachievers.

The chart ratings on which history will judge Talk Talk undeniably state the following.

UK Number Ones- 0,

UK Top Tens- 0,

UK Top Forty placings- 4 and

Top Seventy Five- 13 records.

First emerging into the post punk and synth/electro-pop scene in 1982 the band did make an impression and even today have a cult following.

Cynics may say that the name of the band has never been out of the public consciousness because of the use of the same title by a challenger mobile phone, internet and TV provider but in a very crowded genre of music at that time they found a niche and have to a certain extent, kept it.

The UK Charts in 1982 were a very confused snapshot of what the record buying population were doing.

Amongst the regular home grown favourites such as McCartney and Shakin' Stevens there were megabands from the United States and a few novelty acts which I will not mention here but we all know who they were.

Just emerging were the contemporaries of Talk Talk in electro-pop and bordering on the New Romantics and these included Visage, Japan, Yazoo, Soft Cell and the group that drew most of the critical comparison, Duran Duran.

Prior to that in the first wave had been Heaven 17, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, New Order, Tears for Fears and Depeche Mode.

These bands, bar just about none, attained massive status and unfortunately but for no fault of their own Talk Talk missed out.

Perhaps they were too purist in terms of musicianship and just better than the others in their craft but not quite possessing the same charisma, notoriety, ability to bullshit or exploit publicity and the category of fame that they flirted with.

The main pop output of Talk Talk, in my listening experience comes down to their four best performing singles.

Again, from a back catalogue of 8 albums this points at a poor return but just search out and enjoy the tracks as a returnee or for the first time if you are not of a certain age like myself.

In the UK Charts in the summer of 1982 the single release of "Today" peaked at number 14 following on from the bands first placing at number 52 in the spring of the same year. Theirs was a fresh and vibrant synth and drum sound and the vocals of Mark Hollis stand out in their distinctive tone and pitch.

My favourite single is undoubtedly "It's My Life" from January 1984 but again it was just too far ahead of its time reaching only number 46 although when re-released in 1990 which marked the beginning of the end for Talk Talk it was at last acknowledged for its contribution in peaking at number 13 along with a top five position for the inevitable greatest hits album.

"Such a Shame" was also a 1984 single but went almost unnoticed.

January 1986 saw the single "Life's what you make it" get to 16 in the UK Charts.

There was some success in Europe and a brief flurry in the US but the most enduring legacy has been the influence of Talk Talk on many musicians subsequently.

Yes, they could have given in to commercial and corporate interests but they maintained a credibility and creativity that is now becoming known to new audiences and will continue to be appreciated.

It's My Life