Tears for Fears: C or D?

“Sowing” sucks but “head” fucking rules. “Everybody” good too

That 10" of covers they did is pretty darn good. I've played that thing a bunch of times. The video linked above does sound a fair bit like current New Order, but the drumming isn't nearly as interesting. Kind of looking forward to the album now.

yeah that run of covers was excellent

oh a bunch of different limited editions with different track listings, what a good strategy to instantly kill my interest in buying the new album

― Jaime Pressly and America (f. hazel), Friday, October 8, 2021 9:58 AM (three months ago) bookmarkflaglink

first 2 releases classic then went lame!

disagree, I didn't like Seeds of Love when it came out but now it's a stone classic

Early reviews for the new album bode very well

Great interview in the latest Tape Op. There's a funny story about "Sowing the Seeds of Love," where they struggled to get a good mix of it, and when they finally settled on one the the label or their manager told them to keep working. So they slaved over that song for another six months, at great expense, and at the end of the process the same manager came across the original mix and suggested "how about this one?" It reminds me of a story I read from Dan Wilson of Semisonic about "Closing Time," how the record label wanted them to re-record it but their manager (smartly, in this case) told them to refuse, figuring that if the record label is spending thousands to re-record something, then the re-recorded version is going to be the one they pick, whether or not it's any better, so better to just stand your ground, save the time and money, and give them the one you like. Which they did, and which was a hit.

I love all three songs that were released so far, particularly the title track. I thought the novelty of 'new tears for fears' would wear off but it hasn't, and I appreciate that they don't necessarily sound like earlier albums.

their first 2 are good then went lame!

if by lame you mean glorious and shiny like lamé, then yes

first 2 releases classic then went lame!

― xzanfar, Tuesday, February 1, 2022 12:32 PM

their first 2 are good then went lame!

― xzanfar, Wednesday, February 23, 2022 8:29 AM

this is really causing some giggles this morning. the exclamation used in both iterations is really just (chef's kiss). also downgraded from "classic" to "good." ouch.

idk who you are xzanfar, but thank you.

most of the 80s groups did not transition too good into the 90s as commercial hip hop techno and grunge were taking over!

buckle up folks

a lot of bands from 1990 didn't transition too good into 1991

https://i.etsystatic.com/11123470/r/il/2c34e8/3201917193/il_340x270.3201917193_4kr9.jpg

commercial hip hop techno taking over in the 90s!

I remember Joe Strummer joking that Tears for Fears owed him five quid for the line "everybody wants to rule the world."

"their first 2 are good then went lame!"

the first two songs released from this album or their first two albums?

Also, it’s spelled “lamé”

These guys have aged rather gracefully.

Someone on the Hoffman forum criticising Roland's white hair. You can't win sometimes

I remember Joe Strummer joking that Tears for Fears owed him five quid for the line "everybody wants to rule the world."

The punchline I saw is that Orzabel then reached into his pocket and handed over a five pound note.

They might owe Elvis Costello a bit more for Floating Down the River.

The punchline I saw is that Orzabel then reached into his pocket and handed over a five pound note.

That sounds almost too good to be true, but I'll go with it.

Time to eat all your words.

sftbc is classic and at the time i did not care for the hurting but it has since grown on me but like i said most of the appeal of the 80s groups was waning toward the 90s!

new record is dope

like

really really really dope

"rivers of mercy" sounds related to the ballads from sowing the seeds of love which is probably the highest compliment i can give a song

oh it's out tomorrow, nice

Are there any cinematic, standing on a cliff-top with the wind in your hair while the clouds pass by in sepia-toned time-lapse moments?

every song feels like it comes from a different record but it really flows? the songs are so good???

Great, I feel optimistic!

last track is sophistitechnopop

Are there any cinematic, standing on a cliff-top with the wind in your hair while the clouds pass by in sepia-toned time-lapse moments?

― Maresn3st, Thursday, February 24, 2022 2:46 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

"rivers of mercy" makes me wish i had a beard as luscious as roland's

It's fine so far. I wish the songs were faster but this is my usual wish.

Smith however is in fine form.

otm, was happy to hear his voice on so many of the songs

there's a few moments that almost eerily reflect the best moments on 'seeds'

for two:
- the ringing guitars that come in at the end of "rivers of mercy" strongly evoke the guitar during the outro of "women in chains"
- the chord that kicks off the verse in "break the man" is verry similar to the suspended chord that opens "advice for the young at heart"

https://tapeop.com/interviews/147/roland-orzabal/

I got together with Curt at the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic was announced. Curt wasn’t into it. He wasn’t into being in Tears For Fears. He didn’t need to be in Tears For Fears and didn’t need the money. Fair enough. So, for the first time in many, many decades, we sat down together at his house in L.A. with two acoustic guitars and an iPhone, recording, and came up with a song called “No Small Thing.” That was the point at which Curt became interested again. He sprang to life. Then “Rivers of Mercy,” “Master Plan,” and “Break The Man” all came afterwards.

Then Smith left...and returned

Yeah, what *is* it between those two? Do they really dislike each other or something?

I think it's honestly that they've been linked together since they were 13 or so. Like, I can't think of the last time I saw a couple of my cousins, and I can't think of the next time I might see my cousins. If my cousins were in town and wanted to grab a drink I'd probably say sure. If they asked me to fly out to visit, or go on a trip together, I'd likely say no.

There's probably tension between them about Curt's relative creative input, both then and now.

their recent gq interview (conducted by a certain dude) is somewhat enlightening on the subject: https://www.gq.com/story/tears-for-fears-interview-the-tipping-point/amp

Orzabal said in the interview they get on fine when recording, lol

the back half of this is a bit of a slog on first listen, hoping it'll grow on me

"End of Night", track 9, is the album favorite for me on first listen.

First four songs and "End Of Night" are the ones I like here. Over all surprised at the slickness of the production, for good and bad. Wouldn't be surprised to hear some of this stuff in an upcoming Netflix series or something.

Something very early '00s in the production with all the whooshes and chirruping synths and shiny background vocals. I kind of miss the sound of these guys recording in big actual rooms/studios - a lot sounds like it was created remotely, in the box, with an arsenal of the best plugins.

Smith's voice does sound phenomenal. Orzabal's has changed a lot, I think. That great bellowy tone of his is extremely subdued now.