Sad news yesterday came with the announcement of the death of Mark Hollis aged 64. As the lead songwriter and singer of Talk Talk he made some of the most interesting and experimental pop of the 1980s and he wrote and recorded songs which I hold in high regard. I know some of you feel the same. He had largely retired from music after 1998's solo album, deciding that being a touring musician and a parent weren't compatible, but his music has never gone away, continuing to hold sway beneath the surface. I have loved this song for many years and I will continue to play it and love it for many more to come and while it may be the obvious choice some songs are the obvious choice because they are great songs. Life's What You Make It is wonderful and sage, lead piano from Mark over a brilliant drumbeat and Mark's soaring vocals, a song that you can slot onto any mixtape or into any DJ set.
Life's What You Make It
As an extra Tomorrow Started is from 1984's It's My Life, a sidestep away from New Romantic pop and into something else and something new, with producer Tim Friese-Greene at the controls, poetry and avant-pop.
Tomorrow Started
'Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note And don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it'
Mark Hollis.
