Talk Talk – It's My Life

This pressing sounds otherworldly, and this is a fantastic collection of Talk Talk songs that go pretty much undiscussed outside of the classic title track. Sure, this is a far cry from the type of earth shattering transcendental music the band would come to create, but as a standalone 80s synth-pop album this might be my favorite ever. Everything here is so inventive and colorful, it’s impossible not to have a smile glued to your face while playing this record. If you’re only familiar with the late-career Talk Talk albums, give this one a try, it’s a fantastic sampler of their sound without being too high concept or that far outside the box. Still, lots of super cool things going on here that separates it from your average 80s pop record. Highly highly recommended.

I guess I got unlucky with my copy - non-fill and a hazy, edgy sound - must have been a dirty stamper or something.

Such an excellent record. I feel like it doesn't get as much attention because they hadn't yet shed the synths, which to some ears may border on cheese, but to mine really emphasize the emotional power of the vocal delivery and the music. Their following albums become progressively more "mature", minimal, and existentialist (if you can forgive me) in sound and lyrical content, but "It's My Life" is hardly lightweight, even compared to their following discography. Hands down one of my favorite synth pop records, and one of my favorite records period.

The pressing itself sounds great. I grew very accustomed to a lossless digital format and the used copy I recently came across is much more full and revealing, so much so at the beginning of some songs I'm wondering whether or not I have heard them before.

Also, my copy says: "MASTERED BY EMI/A" in the dead wax, not "mastered by liberty", though the matricies are the same.