When Talk Talk dropped the band’s fourth album, Spirit of Eden in 1988, even some of their most ardent fans didn’t know what to make of it. After making their name on New Wave hits including “Talk Talk” and the timeless “It’s My Life,” singer-songwriter Mark Hollis and company took a hard left turn into free-form jazz and improvisation on Spirit of Eden. It even made Conequence’s “11 Well-Liked Artists Who Made an Album That Pissed Off Their Fans” list.
In the years following its release, however, that foray into uncharted territory proved wildly influential, proving to be a building block in what would become known as post-rock. The album went on to inspire a wide range of artists, including Sigur Rós, Mogwai, Low, Doves, and latter-period Radiohead.
On January 23rd, Spirit of Eden is set for reissue as a single LP vinyl release, cut at half-speed by Matt Colton at Metropolis and overseen by drummer Lee Harris and Mark Hollis’ son, Charlie. Pre-orders are ongoing.
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Spirit of Eden Album Artwork:
Spirit of Eden Tracklist:
Side A
01. The Rainbow
02. Eden
03. Desire
Side B
01. Inheritance
02. I Believe in You
03. Wealth