Party's Over [Original recording remastered]

Talk Talk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B000005RS2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,660 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Few could've predicted the flowery, experimental path that UK art-pop ensemble Talk Talk (and later, a solo singing Mark Hollis) would take in its long, colorful career. Songs would lengthen, keyboard-plush arrangements would thicken like trellised ivy, and the group's initial hit-single schematics--so evident on this nicely textured debut album, in definitive cuts like "Talk Talk"--would get lost in the orchestral shuffle. Which is not to say that this nugget from '82 isn't crucial listening. Hollis has one of those inimitable, almost otherworldly voices that sound great in any musical framework. Even in this only slightly cerebral setting. --Tom Lanham

Product Description

Import remastered pressing of their 1982 debut album. Features the hit singles 'Talk Talk' & 'Today'. EMI.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary, a perfect theme album, March 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Party's Over (Audio CD)

Came out in 1982 when I was a senior in high school, and I listened to it over and over and over again. Seems at first like catchy New Wave synth stuff, a la A Flock of Seagulls; the single "Talk Talk" is the hook to start the album. But as you listen to the whole thing you realize it is an integrated work, sad with a haunting finale in the final song "Candy". The CD is short by modern standards (around 40 mins, maybe under), and it is distinctly 80s music; but one of my all-time favorite albums.

Note that the CD unfortunately mixes up the playlist of the original LP release, which disrupts the "theme" album somewhat. Switch songs 3 & 5 ("Hate" should be #3, "Today" should be #5) to get the effect of the original. I don't know why they did that.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Wave Gem, February 22, 2002

By 

Paul A. Fucito "fabfriday" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Party's Over (Audio CD)

Mark Hollis took Talk Talk from synthpop to art rock during the 1980's and this debut album was the most electronic of them all. 80's fans will recognize the first track, "Talk Talk," the first single to get air play in America before "It's My Life" hit the top 40 a few years later. The track is a powerhouse dance classic still enjoyed today. Other fast numbers to enjoy include "Today" and "Another World" while the title track evokes a darker, more mellow side of the band.

Mark Hollis could give Bryan Ferry a run for his money on vocals, which shine throughout the album. Fantastic synths take you back to 1981 in delight.

Talk Talk's second album, "It's My Life" is a perfect follow up to this album as a continuation of the electronic style. By the third album, the band matured even more including more acoustic instruments and guest musicians like Steve Winwood.

Fans of early 80's synthpop must give this a listen. Fans of Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Japan and Ultravox would also do well to give it a listen.

While I love most of Talk Talk's material, this album stands out as a clear favorite. Too bad Hollis has called it quits.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Hint of What They Became Later, February 13, 2000

By 

Taylor (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Party's Over (Audio CD)

Talk Talk is a group that defies conventional wisdom. This, their first outing, is an album that was derided as being not only derivative, but pretentious. Pretentious...yes. Self-absorbent...most certainly.

The beauty of Talk Talk however must be seen through the progression of their music in its entirety. Upon initial listening, this disc could defiantly be dismissed as a typical exercise in 80s synth-pop.

However, as time would have it, Talk Talk progressed as a band. With the ultimate departure from conventional pop wisdom that reared its welcome head during the group's last days, this presentation deserves a fresh look.

The truth is that the critics of this album missed something the first time. Upon second glance, this disc proves not only that Mark Hollis had an ultimate vision, but also that he charted it from the beginning.

Four fifths of this album is wonderfully indulgent. The other fifth is psychic...a demonstration of what was to come. Many believe that "Its My Life" was the first to showcase the future Talk Talk...this is inaccurate. This exercise showcases many elements that would be later found on subsequent releases.

While listening to this effort, one wonders if the group had their future vision with them all along...but was afraid to unleash their talent too early for fear of losing the opportunity to express the true "Nature" of their being.