Mark Hollis (studio album) by Mark Hollis

From JulianR 04/24/2018 04:51

It's exactly what I would expect a Mark Hollis solo album to be: A late-era Talk Talk album minus the rest of the band. The arrangements are more sparse and stately, less atmospheric and more organic, and just plain less developed. He does present some interesting songs, but many of the others feels like ideas that don't have anywhere to go because he is so focused on doing it with the least amount of sound possible. Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock garnered their power from contrasting that mild subdued nature with repeatable hooks (in the loosest sense of the word) and more driven movements. This album seems to lack that for the most part. The songs as a whole never really develope much; they are often quite the same at any point during the song. The songs with drums seem to avoid this a little more, but not too much. A pleasant listen overall, but a little disappointing.

75/100 (Above Average)

Truly beautiful. It was a pleasant surprise when Mark Hollis released this one and it is a great achievement that he took the last work of Talk Talk even a step further.

Can't fill the shoes of the final two Talk Talk albums. The listener mostly waits for something to happen. And yet it's still good.

Incredible album. There's really nothing else to say.

From Necharsian 03/14/2013 18:14

This album gets me SO DAMN PUMPED UP. A must if you are making a party playlist.

From Hayden 11/26/2011 22:43

Quite a nice piece of work here. Just need to crank it up a little, and let it take you in.

From CellarDoor 10/17/2011 21:24

Other than 4'33".

From CellarDoor 10/16/2011 15:58

Quite possibly the quietest album I have ever heard.