Brilliant doesn't begin to describe it

Lots of people have discussed the Beatlish tendencies of Roland and Curt, but what amazes me the most about this record and what hasn't been discussed much is the absolutely insane brilliance of the production. If there was ever a CD that demanded listening on the best set of headphones you can find, this is it. On every single cut there are artful bits of business buried deep in the mix that are just amazing and when heard clearly on headphones leave me just breathless at their beauty.



And then there are the vocals. I have never heard better recorded vocals and in my mind only the Beach Boys have ever matched the sheer magnificence of the harmonies here.



This CD has wonderful songs to be sure, but what grabs me is just how good it sounds and how deep it can take you.



It also has, in the opening stanza of Call Me Mellow, what I consider to be the most poetic lyric I have ever heard in a rock song:

"I wouldn't mind but she just turned up on the doorstep,

Wistful and ashen, slightly bedraggled.

Last time I saw her she was howling at the moon,

Roaming the forest, lupine and rabid."



What a wonderful description of one of the two characters in this relationship song.



Hopefully the chorus at the end of Who Killed Tangerine? "And when you think it's all over, it's not over." will become a fixture at ball games all over the country when a rally is needed. Its prominent use in the movie Fever Pitch will certainly help. This CD deserves to be a big hit. It is their best music by far and IMHO one of the greatest CD's of all times -- a masterpiece of the highest order.



Welcome back, Curt and Roland.

Britain's version of Steely Dan

Their music is mellow. The sounds are pretty. They don't go too hard, but aren't so soft to be labeled Easy Listening. With just a touch of new wave, Britain has its own version of Steely Dan. The album, Everybody Loves A Happy Ending, solidifies my analogy. The Songs of the Album, while sometimes containing dark subject matter shows sunny melodies, pop sensibilities, and just a touch of the classic Psychadelia that peppered the much loved "Seeds of Love" release. I think this is a very consistant album, considering their last record came out in 1995, with just Roland Oarzbal as Tears For Fears. Since then Curt Smith has returned and the band has luckily has not lost a beat. The Record is 12 songs deep with amazing songcraft, and interesting sound, somewhere in the realm of indie rock, jazz rock and even blue eyed soul. The boys don't seem to have missed a step and it looks like they can say they've made a strong comeback, if people are good enough to get out there and get the tracks heard. It sounds a lot like whats played on modern rock radio, so we'll continue to hope the music industry has a soul and get this disc promoted (Note: When L.A. Reid got ousted from American label, Arista, with which T4F signed, they lost their contract and this CD was lost on the shelves, destined to become an archives mystery. Thankfully, Universal's Hip-O Records saved it. We'll just hope Clive Davis rectifies the situation, because he is a genius with great business sense.) Anyways, in short this Album deserves an amazing following, and success to the band, simply because it is perfect. In sound, substance, style and artistry. Tears For Fears, is amazing!! Welcome Back, we needed you.

I didn't think I'd like it.

I can't believe that this album could have gotten less than 5 stars from anyone. This is a terrific effort. I put Roland Orzabel on the same pedestal as Jon Andersen of Yes, Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead as far as songwriting ability.



And just as a wake up call for all the people who say this album is a Beatles ripoff, I'm sorry to say, but the Beatles references are definitely intentional. Roland has admitted that more than once, maybe not on this particular album, but in much of his other work. It is actually a nod to the most influential rock band of all time.



We live in a world where nothing innovative is being done with music. At this point in time, it's pretty much all recycled. Everybody sounds like someone else. Only Tears for Fears can get away with doing a tribute album without actually doing any covers of the band they're honoring.

One More Who Loves This Album

Just adding my two cents to help squash the nay-sayers. This is a great collection of very catchy and intelligent songs. Personally, I think this is some of the best music of this decade and if my review makes one more person give it a chance, that would make me feel good. My only complaint is the absence of a booklet with complete lyrics. The songs are so catchy that I just want to sing along with the correct words! I can get them online, but it's not the same as flipping through the CD booklet and singing along. All who are sick to death of bubblegum pop and rap...purchase TFF, insert into CD player, press play and let the music take you to a better place.

Roland and Curt are back!

I've recently heard a few tracks from this forthcoming record (out Sept. 14, 2004). This is incredible stuff! It's as if Roland and Curt haven't missed a beat in 15 years. I can't wait for the full album release! In the meantime, check out some of the tracks on the official site (www.tearsforfears.net)

Welcome back Roland and Curt, it is worth the wait

This review is for the import, which contains three rare remixes of some classics including "Everybody Wants To Rule the World", and "Change". Otherwise, it is the same as the US release. If you can find it, the import release is worth it for the extra tracks, although may not be available due to the Arista label switch.



This is pop music as it was meant to be. If you are tired of over produced and generic pop music like American Idol "stars" or the every growing and all sound the same releases from hip hop artists and young female singers, then check this out.



Tears for Fears first came on the scene in the early 1980's with "The Hurting". They followed that up with the multi-platinum selling "Songs From the Big Chair". After a long gap, they released "Seeds of Love" in 1989 before splitting up. Roland stayed with the name for a while, but it wasn't the same. Now, some 15 years after "Seeds of Love" they are back together again.



The CD starts out with a classic ballad in "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending" and then grooves into the best song on the CD, the first single "Closest Thing to Heaven". The sound is again something in between modern pop and the Beatles. It is reminiscent of "Sowing the Seeds of Love", the last big hit, with horns and a chorus that will have you singing along. All the tracks are great, but my other favorite is the closing track, a smooth R&B number called "Last Days on Earth".



They always had lyrics a mile deep, and flew in the face of whatever pop genre was in at the moment. This release is yet another chapter in a string of great music. This one may not get the exposure some of their other music did, which is too bad, as it is some of the best new music out there. Check it out!