Talk - Reset, Start, Again

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 19 / 4 / 2008

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Review

Talk's debut album, 'Reset, Start Again', is a product of both a lot of hard work and ‘meticulous’ beat placing. Having drawn comparisons to bands as diverse as Radiohead and Simon and Garfunkel, this is something special. It is their sublime song crafting that has earned them the Simon and Garfunkel comparisons, and it is their edginess and quiet intensity that has drawn them the Radiohead comments. ‘Bypass Control’ and ‘Three Way Switch’ kick this theme off. Both tracks very slowly build upwards, combining singer Andrew's drawn out and haunting vocals with a mass of electronic atmosphere that sound so intense and full that it as if even these electronic devices have souls too. The more piano driven ‘Victor’ sounds more in the realms of the progressive style of Pink Floyd, but this is mixed with the beats and dark undertones of Massive Attack. ‘System’ is a little lighter than the previous tracks. With songs such as ‘Return to Factory’ and ‘Reverberation’ they, however, mix up the synths, subtle guitars and electronic pips to make a sound that could be compared to Portishead. Once again they manage to give the ‘none-human’elements a depth and a soul to them. ‘Secret Space’ is immense in sound. It is the song that perhaps stands out the most on this album as it both builds more and is also a lot louder than the other tracks. Andrew's vocal samplings recall Maxi Jazz of Faithless. The synths take a well earned break from their more subtle use on the rest of the album and really let loose. 'Reset, Start, Again' is an album that is absolutely hypnotic throughout. It does take a few listens to get into, but with more and more electronicic bands cropping up everywhere, this sounds like the genuine article rather than a few guitarists who have bought themselves a Korg to fumble around with. This is an excellent album that will hopefully have a big impact on future bands of various genres.

Track Listing:-

1 Reset Start Again
2 Bypass Control
3 Three Way Switch
4 Victor
5 System
6 Return To Factory
7 Out Of Phase
8 Reverberation
9 Secret Space
10 Tin
11 Owners Manual