Is 'Spirit Of Eden', the fourth studio album by British band Talk Talk, a deceptively understated masterpiece or an indulgent musical experiment gone awry? Rob and this week's returning guest Tom Lawery fall decidedly in the former camp. Released in 1988, the record is now often cited as the precursor to later so-called 'post-rock' albums by bands like Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Low and latter-period Radiohead. A year in its creation, painstakingly assembled from improvised performances that draw on elements of jazz, ambient, classical music, blues and dub, it's an album that ultimately rewards the deep-listen it requires.

Songs discussed in this episode: The Rainbow, Talk Talk, April 5th, Life's What You Make It - Talk Talk; It's My Life (Talk Talk cover) - No Doubt; East Hastings - Godspeed You! Black Emperor; No Face, No Name, No Number - Traffic; The BEATen Generation - The The; The Rainbow - Talk Talk; Teen Age Riot - Sonic Youth; Eden - Talk Talk; Heroin - The Velvet Underground; Desire, Inheritance - Talk Talk; I'm Flying - The Shits; Do Anything You Wanna Do - Eddie and the Hot Rods; I Believe In You, Wealth - Talk Talk; The Watershed - Mark Hollis; I Believe In You (Talk Talk cover) - S. Carey