Tears For Fears is one of my favorite bands of the 80s, and Roland Orzabal is in my opinion one of the best singers and songwriters of that era. They were also one of the more forward thinking synth pop/new wave (synth pop/new wave for the first two albums at least) groups of the time. I thought it would be fun to go through and talk about their albums track by track. I won’t be including “Elemental” or “Raoul and the Kings of Spain” because I really don’t consider those TFF albums, since Curt wasn’t involved. I see those more as Roland solo albums. In this thread, I wanted to cover these 5 albums: “The Hurting” (1983) “Songs From The Big Chair” (1985) “The Seeds Of Love” (1989) “Saturnine Martial & Lunatic” (1996) “Everybody Wants A Happy Ending” (2004) And a few extra songs along the way. The general rule is just stick to the song of the day we’re discussing. We’ll also be rating the songs from 0-5. Have fun!
The Hurting (1983) The Hurting Mad World Pale Shelter Ideas As Opiates Memories Fade Suffer The Children Watch Me Bleed Change The Prisoner Start Of The Breakdown Bonus tracks Wino The Conflict
Today’s song is “The Hurting” What a great way to open an album! The drums and bass are hard hitting and Curt and Roland share some very convincing and emotive vocals. Another great part of this one is the excellent bridge before crashing back into the main melody. I love the “whiny” sounding synth noise in the background, that’s definitely the song’s secret ingredient. This track is the start of one of the best 1-2-3 punches the 80s has ever seen. A certified classic! 5/5.
I love TFF but I'm having trouble getting my head around the fact that Elemental and Raoul aren't part of the discussion. Roland and Curt have performed songs from both of those albums together live, so I think even Curt would concede they're TFF albums.
Thanks for this thread, they are indeed an great band and great musicians. (And I'd included Elemental and Raoul, too, but your thread, your rules. "The Hurting" is good art pop that manages to sound utterly of its time, yet not too dated. Great synth hook, as you've noted, but also the bright crunch of the guitar is nice.
I remember when this album "The Hurting" came out and I heard some of the songs. I immediately thought (and was correct) pretentious, oh-I-am-filled-with-angst bullcrap. It lacked any credibility. It was, "Let's market and sell gloom and angst. Make a buck off people who feel that way." Hated them. Tears For Fears got real good with the smash "Everybody Wants To Rule The World." That song was and still is a knockout. However, their greatest song is a little known single released very late in their career..."Goodnight Song." Sorry to jump ahead but the very early Tears For Fears stuff isn't worth a damn and isn't worth talking about. "Goodnight Song" is a very real expression of emotion and a genuine sadness. The guitar even punches with regret and sadness. Brilliant. It is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard.
Great thread....TFF has MANY awesome songs and albums. The Hurting to me, is just the start of a string of masterpieces to come. Like others mentioned, Raoul And The Kings Of Spain ( my fav album of TFF) is sadly missing.
When I got into listening to the group, it surprised me how good of a guitarist Roland is, and what he did on those albums isn’t talked about much I feel.
Not since '85 right? There was a good version on Scenes From A Big Chair. I like the blend of their voices together, and think this should have been revisited on other songs in terms of verses (obviously chorus vocals feature them both).
Their voices do blend well together, although they mostly just took turns singing lead without the other on most songs. Maybe they’ll harmonize more on their new album if that ever surfaces
I like The Hurting, but I probably listen to it the least of all the TFF albums. It's amazing how influential it has become though. Lots of hip hop artists have sampled it over the years. I think it has way more respect now than it did back in the day. Good b-sides and extended mixes from this album too. I, too, wish they would have put "Saxophones as Opiates" on the deluxe edition, at least for completeness sake.
They haven't played it live since 1990's Seeds of Love Tour. "Memories Fade" is a welcomed addition to the setlist in recent years. Glad they're currently playing "Suffer The Children" (but would prefer Roland on vocals anytime).
I don't think they should be included either, because Curt wasn't on them. But other groups have carried on with losing major members, and still have albums attributed to them: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Echo and the Bunny without Ian Mcculloch Ultravox mk2 without Midge Ure ABC lost several members, but Martin Fry kept the name going Flock of Seagulls lost members, but kept going Duran Duran lost members Depeche Mode lost member Krafterk lost members Human League lost members So, I can see that point also. Maybe they can be mentioned afterwards, or separately. Still, i don't have a problem either. later -1
The Hurting is my all-time favorite album from Tears for Fears. I still listen to it, even today. I didn't get it when it came out, but do remember seeing videos for 'Change' and 'Mad World' from it. Much later 'Pale Shelter', and 'Suffer the Children' too. I got into the album around the same time 'Songs from the Big Chair' came out. I liked all the singles and remixes a lot better than the latter ones too. The artwork, the styles, and the sounds made a lasting impact. I do think they went downhill after this, and they lost me on 'Seeds of Love' album, which I didn't care for. ---------------------------- I look forward to discussing their history, and what they've been up to. Although besides a few tours, a possible new album, and eventually another boxset. There hasn't been much since the 2 new songs on the last greatest hits. I have seen them before, but on the latter part of the 'Songs from the big chair' tour, and the one after 'seeds of love', when roland was on his own. looking forward to the discussion. later -1
I find it interesting you will be covering their B-sides compilation, which includes tracks done when it was only Roland too. Most of those songs will be brought up, when you mention the singles from the albums. later -1
As you say a great opening to a terrific 1-2-3. That synth whine always reminded me of slide guitar a little. It is an excellent hook. As other have said it’s great to hear Roland and Curt together. I remember being surprised at the time how well their vocals blended especially given Curt’s prominence on the early hits.
I’ll start the new track tomorrow since this thread is just starting to get noticed. Feel free to rate the tracks too! Unless everyone doesn’t feel like doing that, then we can drop that part of the thread.
Cool, I love the ratings. Bring it on, it adds a lot to seeing what people think of the songs overall. Some other b-sides: We are broken Ideas as Opiates (alternate version) later -1
