In 1982 guitarist-keyboardist-singer Roland Orzabal, and singer-bassist-keyboardist Curt Smith left the ska group Graduate to form Tears for Fears, an ambitious blending of synth-pop and primal psychology.
Their first single was "Mad World," which combined odd, syncopated percussion with moody synths and Smith's haunted vocals on killer lines to forge greatness:
"I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying
Are the best I've ever had"
Other classics on their debut The Hurting include the thumping alterna-soul of "Change," and the sweeping synth-and-acoustic guitar of "Pale Shelter," one of the best sounding songs of the new wave era.
Producer Chris Hughes helped push the band along, widening their emotional palette and encouraging songwriter Orzabal to sing more. The result was the five-times-platinum Songs From The Big Chair. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of the best singles of the last 20 years: the propulsive, circular beat and strong dual vocals from Smith and Orzabal carry a superior melody that is augmented by tinkling keyboard filigrees and great guitar work from Orzabal and Neil Taylor. "Head Over Heels" and "Shout" also stand out.
As is typical, the push to bring Orzabal out of his shell ended up pushing Smith to the sidelines and the balance that created magic was lost - darn it. By the time of Seeds of Love, Orzabal was clearly in charge, and though the title track was a Beatlesque gem, that was more a last gasp than a continuation.
UPDATE
October 6 - Orzabal and Smith have reunited as Tears For Fears and signed to Arista:
- Tears For Fears founders Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith are back together after 13 years, and have signed an exclusive worldwide recording contract with Arista Records, it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, President and CEO, Arista Records.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jim Carruthers
Did you ever hear any of Curt or Roland's solo albums? Just ghastly.
Though nice use of TFF songs in "Donnie Darko".
2 - TDavid
Tears For Fears, Night Ranger, Survivor: I put them all pretty much in the same category. Pretty much one trick ponies. Decent bands, but not able to sustain musically.
3 - Eric Olsen
Jim, no I haven't heard the solos, although later TFF is sort of Roland solo - another one of those synergy deals it would appear, definitely brought out the best in each other. I also liked the way their voices played off each other.
TD, we are pretty far apart on this one: I see Night Ranger and Survivor as just dopey hard rock bands from the hair years, and very North American. TFF, besides being English new wave synth-pop-rock, was also pretty philosophical and serious about looking into human psychology and relationships. Those first two albums were pretty great on several levels and hold up better than most new wave.
4 - Bill Sherman
Watching the missing persons crime drama Without A Trace this week, I noticed that they used an acoustic cover of "Mad World" at several points throughout the episode. Don't know who sang it, but it was an effective use of the song. . .
5 - Natalie Davis
Early TFF was so awesome... Indeed, the lyrics were more thoughtful than a lot of the dreck that informed the Big '80s, but the sonic landscapes that Orzabal and Smith painted were simply mesmerizing. I recall a dance-floor epiphany that overwhelmed me during a spinning of "Pale Shelter." Awesome. (It left me feeling very sure about a relationship. BIG grin.)
Comparing Night Ranger and Survivor with Tears for Fears? Come on! :)
Interestingly, I remember when "Sowing the Seeds of Love" was released. I loved it precisely because of its Beatlesque vibe, but I recall it leaving me with a sense that it was a fond, bittersweet farewell.
6 - Tom Johnson
Okay, once again, I stand up and do something that proclaims me the freak in the group: TFF's album following Curt's escape, Elemental had some great songs on it.
In some ways, I actually find it superior to Seeds Of Love, but that album has one of my all-time favorite songs on it, "Woman In Chains." That song just sends chills down my spine. Not to mention that the band on Seeds is stunning - drums: Manu Katche, Phil Collins, and Simon Phillips; bass: Pino Palladino and Curt; and Jon Hassel on trumpet. Great bunch of players, but didn't live up to expectations. But how could they after Big Chair?
I'm a sucker for Roland's voice, I admit it. I even like some of the stuff off Raoul And The Kings Of Spain just because of him. However, his solo album was pretty bland, as was Curt's output. Last I heard, however, they were back together to work on a new album due sometime next year, plus a tour. Anyone else heard any more than that?
7 - Jim Carruthers
My best guess about "Mad World" is that it is the version from "Donnie Darko" (go look it up on imdb.com, I'm too lazy).
Both of the solo albums were too weak to get any sort of release, I know they were released in Canada, I don't think they escaped in the US. If they did, they were quickly hunted and killed.
8 - Eric Olsen
Nat, we are musically simpatico once again - "Pale Shelter" is my favorite as well, it's a sonic magic carpet ride.
Tom, it's like your ears are on backwards or something (smile), but at least you like all the right people. I like Roland's voice too, but I like it better with Curt's to contrast.
I get the sense you REALLY shy away from the "hits" at whatever level (even just the most popular by a given artist) and seek satisfaction elsewhere. But just remember: it isn't the song's (or album, etc) fault it was popular, don't hold that against the poor little thing.
But great news on the reunion - hadn't heard anything about it - I was topical without even trying!
Jim, maybe the ickiness of the solo albums will cancel each other out and they'll come up with something good.
9 - Natalie Davis
Given my druthers, I generally prefer deep cuts to hits and talented underdogs to superstars, but you're right, Eric, when a great song actually beats the odds and becomes popular, you gotta go with it. It isn't the song's fault that the masses like it. But I tip my cap to anyone who, like me, avoids much of what the mainstream approves.
10 - Ralph Del Rio
Aaaah....Tears For Fears...I remember the prolonged wait before 'Seeds of Love' It seemed that that album would never come out. They had alot to do with bringing those 'Pretty in Pink' types into the mainstream and having them get along with the classic rock guys. The video was great; and very Beatlesque. But regardless to the quality of the record, there really was not a follow up single. Introducing Oleta Adams was a jazzy twist and Phil Collins drumming was memorable but not enough, I think. Also, it's a case where those two guys meld well together.
11 - Tom Johnson
Eric: I do tend to "shy away from the 'hits.'" I realize it's not the song's fault, nor the band's most of the time, that a particular song gets so big. I just hate MY thing getting taken over by so many people who don't understand it the way I do. ;-) Actually, it's very often that I've found a band long before they've had a hit, and the song that does wind up getting popular is the one that I didn't like all that much to begin with.
When it comes to situations like this, with TFF, I think what I like hearing is the freedom an artist has after achieving fame, fortune, stardom, etc. There's something different going on when you don't have to work so hard at getting a hit, or just getting fans. When a band hits the point where they can, at least for one album, rely on the already-won-over fans to support them, they often turn out something that surpasses what they've done in the past - but it may not contain so many of the elements that brought those fans to it in the first place. There's a level of artistic freedom available that you just can't have when you're struggling to get that foot in the door. Look at what happened with Radiohead - Pablo Honey is an entirely different band than The Bends presented to the world, and OK Computer is even more different. By the time OK Computer had bombarded the world, Radiohead had what it needed in terms of support and could take a chance with their next album - and they sure did. But Kid A is the sound a band doing exactly what it wanted to do at that time, and that makes it a beautiful thing.
I won't even attempt to say that TFF's Elemental even approaches that level of greatness, but there really is some good stuff on that album. "Goodnight Song" is just gorgeous. "Elemental" and "Cold" have a distant sort of funk to them. I can't say I care too much for "Dog's a Best Friend's Dog" or "Gas Giants," but the rest of the album is consistently pleasing, Curt or no. Give it a shot, it might just surprise you . . .
Why didn't I just turn this into a review of Elemental . . . ?!
12 - Eric Olsen
Tom, I feel protective of my favorites too, was just giving you a hard time. In my case it isn't usually so much that the world likes the wrong song, but they like it for the wrong reason(s).
Re Elemental, I have it and listened to it pretty carefully when it came out - I was a big fan, but the differentness you like about it is what seems lesser to me. I really like th efirst album best and the farther away from the strengths of it, the less I like it. I'm pretty stubborn that way.
Also, I like Pablo Honey best - maybe I'm the freak.
13 - BRICKLAYER
I'm feeling the Night Ranger hate, and it chills me to the bone.
1985. Free tix from a girl in the neighborhood. Went with her, her siters, and her mom. She was in my swim class. Buxom. There was chemistry. Potential. Blind groping behind the ballfield dugout. Now a graphic artist in Cali.
You can still rock in America. Oh yeah. All right.
14 - jefito
Night Ranger made great, dumb, fun rock & roll--anyone incapable of finding joy in a song like "I Need A Woman" is a joyless snob who deserves to be smothered to death with his own black beret.
And Elemental is still the only TFF album I can listen to all the way through.
15 - BRICKLAYER
I can still smell the chlorine in her hair.
16 - Eric Olsen
Brickster, are you talking about the mom? Now I'm chilled to the bone.
And while the anecdotes are always welcome, do you think it wise to extrapolate positive personal experiences out to the music that incidentally happened to coincide with the experience?
17 - Eric Olsen
Never worn a beret, full of joy, hate Night Ranger
18 - BRICKLAYER
Mr. O: I dunno if it's wise or not, but I can't help myself. The music, or mere mention of the song or band unleashes the memory. Plus, I just like to prattle on about the insignificant. Oh, and no, I wasn't talking about moms, but now that you mention it....
19 - Natalie Davis
Stay away from hot moms. Not that I consider myself one -- and I have NO interest in teenage boys -- but my daughter commanded me to stay away from her boyfriends. Apparently one guy made a comment to her about me being "smokin'." Her response and mine were identical: Ewwww. As was mine, incidentally, to the theme of and video for "Hot for Teacher."
As for conflating music with personal experiences, I do it all the time. The one time I had the smarts not to do so was in high school. It was a formal dance, the moonlight felt right, a slow tune was playing, I was in the arms of the boy I loved, and he kissed me -- his first one and mine too. The song, Morris Albert's "Feelings." Again, ewwww. No wonder we both turned out queer. ;)
But anyway, Tears for Fears...
20 - Eric Olsen
"Whoa, whoa, whoa FEEEELings ... " At least it didn't sound like self-parody when Morris did it, and that is saying something.
Guys - I was just joking about the music-personal experience thing. I'm a smartass. While I do try to pick apart WHY I like something, sometimes it's as simple as a positive association in the mind - nothing wrong with that. But that brings me back to the fact that we like things - music for example - for different reasons, and the "best" art is perhaps what we have to bring the least of ourselves to in order to appreciate them, or something.
21 - Natalie Davis
Indeed. I am quite clear as to whether a song gains meaning for me because of a significant past experience or because of the song's objective quality. For instance, Eddie VH blazed his way through "Hot for Teacher" and deserves all credit for it.
22 - Phillip Winn
T4F will probably always remain on a lofty perch in my heart simply because they put out angsty songs while I was an angsty teen. Something about Everybody Want To Rule The World in the movie Real Genius and then again on Dennis Miller Live and well, it's just a jumble of confused hormonal memories, but I like 'em.
23 - Eric Olsen
Ooh yeah, forgot about the Dennis Miller connection.
24 - TDavid
Can't compare them? LOL Who's making the rules of comparison here?
Ok, seriously, Natalie and Eric riddle me this: how many hits did Night Ranger and Survivor have versus Tears for Fears?
What about The Escape Club? Remember them? In the 80's they had a song (Wild, Wild West) that was the best selling song of one year I believe. Since then, what has happened to them?
What you folks seemed to have missed in my comparison above was:
Where are these bands today?
I bought Tears for Fears greatest hits CD and there aren't many great things about it, sorry. Maybe other folks find some great musical influence from this band, but I didn't hear it.
Actually what I should have said is I liked Night Ranger and Survivor a lot more than Tears for Fears! Those bands wrote rhythmic songs about life and love, not the droning repetitive (and often very artificial sounds) of Tears for Fears music.
I won't take away Tears for Fears one solid album (which had a couple great songs), but I haven't heard anything before or since from them that would do anything but accumulate dust. I was hoping for it when I bought their greatest hits CD.
But instead it was mostly greatest misses.
25 - Eric Olsen
T, compare away as you see fit, no rules here. I was just saying that sonically and where I place them is my head is a very different part of my brain. If you see them all as fleeting, that's as valid a comparison as anything else. I think the best of TFF's stuff holds up very well, but it's just opinion.