English musician, singer-songwriter most known for his work with the group Talk Talk turns 58 today. Hollis was the lead singer for Talk Talk which started out as a synthpop group. Their first album “The Parties Over” came out in 1982. The greatest concert I’ve ever been to was Elvis Costello and The Attractions at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh in August 1982.{the next day I saw The Clash at the Stanley- two of the greatest nights of my life} Anyhow- Talk Talk was the opening act for Elvis Costello and The Attractions that night in 1982. I was impressed with them. They had some good songs. Their one hit in the United States came in 1984 with “It’s My Life” which reached #31 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. “It’s My Life” would years later be done by No Doubt and reach #10. I like the original Talk Talk version.

In a period of ten years Talk Talk released 5ive albums. At the end of their career they released two albums that were not a bit like the earlier snythpop Talk Talk. These albums were “Spirit of Eden” and “Laughing Stock” I did not hear these albums until a decade after they were released. I came across an article in a British music magazine about them and thought it sounded interesting. “Spirit of Eden” is one of my favourite albums. “Spirit of Eden” would influence groups like Radiohead and The Verve with its post-rock sound. Hollis’s voice is amazing on this recording. It was not a commercial success but continues to influence. If you want to hear something different- Talk Talk “Spirit Of Eden” is an album for you. It is one I have listened to countless number of times and get something new out of it each listen.

After the end of Talk Talk Mark Hollis released a solo album in 1998 and then disappeared from the music industry.