Natural History: The Very Best of Talk Talk

16 track best of this amazing band. Includes 2 rare live tracks. Incl Life's What You Make It, It's My Life, Dum Dum Girl & more

Who would have imagined that the missing link between Miles Davis and Portishead would be a pasty Brit band whose synth-driven hits show up from time to time on rock-of-the-'80s collections? For those only familiar with MTV hits like "Talk Talk" and "It's My Life," this compilation is the beginning of a revelation. Talk Talk mastermind Mark Hollis is an eccentric genius whose hook-laden hits hide an equally satisfying catalog of art-rock experimentation. As Talk Talk evolved, Hollis (opting for a cut-up technique that anticipated the Pro-Tools revolution) ditched synth-pop and produced some of the most sublime late-night records ever. Think Stevie Winwood tranquilized by listening to too much Blue Nile and you start to get the picture. But fair warning: buy this album, and there's a good chance you'll end up purchasing the whole catalog. --Bill Forman