Album review: TALK – Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees

Capitol Records [Release date 20.10.23]

Nicholas Durocher, known professionally as Talk, is a Canadian singer-songwriter and musician from Ottawa, who recently released his debut album, ‘Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees’, which charted at number 33 in his native Canada.

Executively produced by hitmaker Justin Tranter, it includes Talk’s debut single ‘Run Away To Mars’, a song that made it to number one on the Spotify Global Viral 50, and reaching multi-platinum certification around the world, including in Canada, Sweden, Norway and more.

“The concept for ‘Lord of the Flies & Birds & Bees’ was dreamed up by my executive producer Justin Tranter and I,” TALK explains. “I think what we created was almost exactly what was originally envisioned—an album that was made with love and heart, that I hope will put a smile on people’s faces or be a warm hug to those who need one.”

Gave this album a listen after reading a review in a magazine and since first playing the album it has become a firm favourite. Shame I didn’t hear it earlier in the year as it would be shoe-in for my year end top five albums. It is Talk’s vocals and the musical arrangements/sound, particularly in the harmony vocals, that make this album that little bit extra special.

Imagine Dragons come to mind on ‘History’, with its superbly OTT guitar solo, whilst album closer ‘Set On Me’, has a whiff of classic Coldplay about it (yes dear reader, such a thing does exist!).

Easy to hear why ’Run Away To Mars’ was such a global hit. From its gentle acoustic riff through to Talk’s heartfelt vocals, it really is something rather special. ‘Fall For You’ has that hit potential too. More upbeat and another one to utilise his vocal talents to the max.

Just over 33 minutes of theatrical rock bliss. Talk’s debut is a grand affair and he is an artist on the up & up. Get onboard now and say you were there at the start of something special and magical. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
RIOGHAN Hands (Inverse Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)