| Big Talk | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Genres | Indie Rock, Country Rock |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Little Oil / Epitaph |
| Associated acts | The Killers |
| Website | bigtalkmusic.com |
| Members | |
| Ronnie Vannucci Jr Taylor Milne |
|
Big Talk is an American rock band consisting of The Killers drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr (Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Keys) and Taylor Milne (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals).
Grammy Award-winning producer Joe Chicarelli (The Strokes, My Morning Jacket) worked with the band on their debut album. It was recorded between November 2010 and January 2011 at Battle Born Studios,[1] and was then mixed at London's Assault & Battery by Alan Moulder (U2, The Killers, Foo Fighters).[2] Former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp and Ted Sablay (who toured with The Killers) also helped out on the album.[3]
The first single, "Getaways", was released on May 10, 2011. Big Talk released its eponymous debut album on July 12, 2011, on Vannucci's own label "Little Oil" in association with Epitaph Records.[4][5] It first streamed in full via Much Music on July 12, 2011 and then on ABC's Music Lounge on July 13, 2011.[6][7] NME streamed the album exclusively.[8]
Big Talk made their live television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live on July 25, 2011.[9]
Contents |
After touring and releasing albums for nearly nine years, Ronnie Vannucci Jr of The Killers and his bandmates went on hiatus.[10] Shortly, he enlisted the help of a longtime friend and former band member (from Expert on October) Taylor Milne to record a solo album.[11][12] Matt Sharp and Ted Sablay (formerly of Expert on October) also helped contribute bass parts to the album.[13]
The band's live lineup currently consists of Ronnie Vannucci on vocals and guitar; Taylor Milne on guitar; Alex Stopa on drums; Tyson Henrie on bass; and John Spiker on keyboards, guitar and background vocals.[14]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Katzenjammer" | Vannucci | 4:46 |
| 2. | "Getaways" | Vannucci | 3:22 |
| 3. | "Under Water" | Vannucci | 4:28 |
| 4. | "The Next One Living" | Vannucci | 3:27 |
| 5. | "Replica" | Vannucci | 3:58 |
| 6. | "No Whiskey" | Milne, Vannucci | 3:55 |
| 7. | "Girl At Sunrise" | Milne, Vannucci | 3:37 |
| 8. | "White Dove" | Vannucci | 2:35 |
| 9. | "Living In Pictures" | Vannucci | 2:33 |
| 10. | "Hunting Season" | Vannucci | 3:45 |
| 11. | "A Fine Time To Need Me" | Vannucci | 3:24 |
| 12. | "Big Eye" | Vannucci | 3:54 |
|
Total length:
|
40:64 | ||
| Deluxe Edition | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length | |||||||
| 13. | "Hey Marie" | 4:22 | |||||||
| 14. | "The Hooker" | 3:29 | |||||||
|
Total length:
|
48:15 | ||||||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | [15] |
| Consequence of Sound | [16] |
| The Telegraph | [17] |
| Las Vegas Weekly | [18] |
| NME | [19] |
| The Guardian | [20] |
| The Scotsman | [21] |
| The Tune | [22] |
SPIN's William Goodman wrote "While Brandon Flowers has been largely credited with the Killers' infectious rock melodies and hooks, it now appears that the band's secret weapon was sitting behind the drum kit." He continues that single "Getaways" is "an anthemic electro-rock jam with glistening synths and an upbeat, fun '80s feel, but in a way catchier (and better) way..."[23]
The album was described by Digital Spy as the "rock club-shaped soundtrack to the summer".[24]
David West of Rhythm Magazine wrote of tracks "Getaways" and "Replica" that "they rocked". He cites "Sharp riffs, great vocals, and of course the driving power that gives the The Killers their lethal edge," as reasons for his positive review.
Spinner's Theo Spielberg wrote, "Not straying far from the synth-rock brand of music the Killers peddle, Big Talk throws out epic hooks, anthemic riffs and '80s-style feel-goodery with effortless conviction. At times Vannucci sounds uncannily like bandmate Brandon Flowers. However, he also tries his hand at dirty Spaghetti Western tunes (see 'No Whiskey') as well as Wilco-ish alt-country rock ('Girls at Sunrise') with the same tangible delight of exploration he demonstrates simply by stepping out from behind the drums."[25]
Simon Price of the British newspaper the Independent wrote, "It's much more fun than the Brandon Flowers album. Which, admittedly, isn't very big talk at all."
| Publication | Country | Accolade | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NME | U.K. | Best Albums of 2011 (Editors' Pick) | 2011 | #24 |
