Search - Bucks Fizz :: I Hear Talk

Something to talk about

T. Kavanagh | Ireland | 07/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having paused briefly to release their "Greatest Hits" album at the end of 1983, Bucks Fizz returned in fine style with "I Hear Talk," their best album yet. The first single, a cover of The Romantics' "Talking In Your Sleep" was a good appetiser for the album to come. Grittier guitar work infused the trademark Bucks Fizz pop, adding a satisfying weight to their new sound. The group had clearly grown up. Their pop songs now had bite without sacrificing any essential bounce. This was as solid and cohesive album as you could wish for. The sounds were fashionably of their time without being faddy and the range of material played to the various strengths of the four members. Virtually everything about "I Hear Talk" worked: the songs, the production, the visuals. Only three A-sides emerged from the album, despite the undeniable strength of songs like "Breaking Me Up," "Thief In The Night," "Indebted To You" and "Tears On The Ballroom Floor". Both "Golden Days" and the ultra-catchy title track were amongst the strongest tracks the group ever released, supported by excellent videos. In "I Hear Talk," Bucks Fizz had an album to be truly proud of.This re-release is augmented by a collection of B-sides from the era and a brace of tracks recorded four years later. "Invisible" was only released as a bonus track on the 12" of "I Hear Talk" but could easily have justified its place on the original album or even as an independent A-side. It is certainly stronger than, say, "January's Gone." The "I Hear Talk" album and its B-sides show interesting developments within the group, who were honing their own writing and production skills. Bobby G was probably the most talented in this department, but Cheryl Baker's writing and production on "Where Do I Go Now?" is worthy of mention. The set is rounded off with two 1988 tracks, the stronger of which is "Here's Looking At You," released as the B-side to the wonderful "Heart Of Stone." It is a strong and catchy song and more polished than the previously unreleased "Young Hearts," which sounds more like a work in progress than a finished product."