Of course a lot of newly released compilations contain the usual hit singles or radio played songs from the original recordings. But this collection offers some great selections from each of the Tears For Fears catalog of nearly 20 years. I love the bonus cd and mixes, but honestly, after hearing Roland's version of David Bowie's Ashes To Ashes....I would have paid for this one song. It reminded me just how great a singer Roland Orzabal is and how much the songs of Tears For Fears mean to me after all of the years that have passed. They sound as great now as they did then when i first heard Shout as a teen.
Jason's review is exhaustively thorough, so I can't really add much more than what he has already said. I wanted to be sure this CD collection got one more rating, because it really deserves is.
Tears For Fears was a ground breaking band in the 1980's. They had such great harmonies, lyrics, and vocals. I felt like they were walking an interesting line between rock and jazz. They were experimental with instruments, in some ways like Peter Gabriel. And with jazzy overtones reminiscent of Steely Dan. They were also lucky to have made a few commercially popular songs that propelled them to the top 10 of the charts.
But the 80's died away and so did Tears For Fears. Curt couldn't quite keep up with Roland and the two ended up parting ways. Roland tried to go it solo, but couldn't sustain it. A shame, really.
Now, the two are back together. They came out with a new album, "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending". Maybe it should have been named "Everybody Wants A New Start", because that's what they're trying to do and unfortunately didn't quite cut it. That's why you didn't hear any airplay, in the USA anyway.
So, their best work is still behind them and this Ultimate Collection is a great tribute. I definitely recommend getting it if you'd like to revisit the great work of this fine band. And hopefully one day Curt and Roland will strike the right chords and be back alive in USA radiowaves.
For a hardcore TFF fan or a casual fan, this is the go-to set to buy. I love it. It covers most of their first two albums in depth, The Hurting and Songs From the Big Chair, and Seeds of Love. You get some great songs from TFF when it was a Roland-run show from Elemental and Raoul & The Kings of Spain, which I appreciate, because I love those albums. I love that they put a few covers Roland did and some extended versions of their earlier songs. Bloodletting Go is one of my favorite songs, and should have been on Elemental, but so glad they put it on here. I never tire of this set. I own every piece of music TFF has put out, but, like I said, any style TFF fan, or even new fan, will love this. The sound production and remastering on this is fantastic.
I collect all things TFF, so if you love Curt and Roland than this is a must have.
