Tears for Fears Album: “The Hurting (1st LP) [Remaster]”

Tears For Fears has the dubious distinction of not realizing their full potential in all musical releases after their debut album. Perhaps nowhere else is there such a flagrant example of a band having amazing genius and intellectual prowess and throwing it out on a second release for catchy commerical tunes. For those of you who put on the headphones and listen to Pale Shelter or Mad World and then listen to Everybody Wants to Rule the World, you know exactly what I mean. This album is like a sacred manual on how to write intelligent songs that touch the emotions deep within. The keyboard arrangements are phenomenal on this CD, the vocals are full of pain and reflection. Buy this and treasure it.

Tears for Fears was not the average 80's pop band, even if they looked like it on the surfice. They used synthsizers, drum machines with a meliodic and hook laden sound. But the music itself was often melancholy and they brought up serious issues like family values like few contemporary bands at the time had the guts to sing about. Tears for Fears got their name from Arthur Janov's primal scream therapy and they band consisted of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, two highschool friends from Bath, England. Roland was the writer of most songs during the career while they both were co-singing. Some of the music may sound a little dated today (this being released in 1983) but the touchy subjects they bring up are still present today.

The opener and title track is a great pop song and at the same time a good introduction to what is coming, it's about children suffering without anyone noticing or caring. Tears for Fears trademark was mixing good pop with serious subjects and they really succeeded with that. "Mad World" was one of the big hits and recently covered by Gary Jules and taken back to the charts again as the sountrack for "Donnie Darko". The moody alternative song brings up the sad reality we're living in, a world without rules or morals and the people suffering from it. Excellent and haunting ballad. "Pale Shelter" was originally released in 1982 but failed to make it big on the charts, so the song was re-recorded, remixed and re-released and the result was a big hit even for "Pale Shelter". The song is slow paced and distinct with guitars, synthesizers and percussion. It brings up the lack of love some children get cause of bad parenthood. "Ideas As Opiates" is almost minimalistic, it basically only feauture percussion and slow piano sound, the lyrics are also sparse. "Memories Fade" is also a stripped and melancholy song, with it's haunting lyrics and saxophone it's one of this album's highlights.

"Suffer Them Children" is a synth laden pop song about children with problems growing up cause they're ignored and not given too much love. Watch Me Bleed" got very strong lyrics "Heaven comes to he who waits/ But I know Im getting nowhere/ And all the deeds of yesterday

/Have really helped to pave my way" and is overall another great pop/rock song. "Change" was one of three big hits on this album, it got a trademark marimba sound and a great hook which paved the way to the charts. The song is focusing on the destructive behavior of a loved one. "The Prisoner" is the darkest of songs with some very strong lyrics and arrangements suited for a horror film, the lyrics are sparse and they're almost whispered. The last song is called "Start of a Breakdown" feautures a catchy synthesizer sound and meliodic percussion. Why this song was not released as single is beyond me, but it's one of the best songs. This remastered version feauture remixed of Pale Shelter", "Mad World" and "Change and the non-album song "The Way You Are" is present. It's another fantastic song by the way. Uptempo with great percussion arrangements. Nice it was added.

Overall, Tears for Fears magnificient debut was one of the most daring and thoughtful albums of the 80's. It's equally intellegent and beautiful full of good lyrics and great arrangements. With this remastered version you get better sound + bonus tracks and the non album song "The Way You Are". Some of the songs may sounds a little dated today, considering all the new equipment used in today's music, but the lyrics and subjects they brought up are just as present in today's society. This album may get a little too personal and the lyrics get frightening when you listen closely to them at times, however if you're a music fan that likes smart lyrics and lyrics that make sense then this is something for you. It's a concept album and it very thoughtful and sincere. One of the greatest debuts of the 80's, let alone albums.

Despite their attempt to move away from this style of music, The Hurting really is TFF's most intriguing album, and in my opinion their best. The stark bleakness of this entire project is what drew their core audience to them in the first place. And since this album, they and their audience have "matured". But this album touched a nerve with certain people; people who hear their feelings being spoken about in these memories-evoking compositions.

The original album cover features Roland & Kurt in full black Goth-type attire staring into the blank distance near a tranquil duck pond.

And then you listen to the music: sparse but melodic.

Then you hear the lyrics: deep and troubling.

Even if you never heard of these songs, you only need to read the song titles and you can tell right away that this is not about sunshine and lollipops. This is not about let's party, have sex, and rock n' roll.

This is about individuals who are dealing with disturbing issues, inner conflicts, and uncertainty.

Mad World, Start of the Breakdown, Watch Me Bleed, The Hurting...people have been living these lyrics forever.

TFF, Roland & Curt, these songs, they understand "us".

I had the vinyl version of this album and lamented not being able to listen to it (turntable deceased!). One of the most powerful albums ever made. Roland's writing and singing is raw and emotional. Curt brings just as much to the table on the songs that he sings (all songs written by Roland). If you liked "Songs From The Big Chair," you will be more than suprised by "The Hurting" (Tears For Fears' first offering). I liken this debut work to the first LP from U2, "Boy." There is so much unrefined talent that to polish the sound would be to do a disservice to the works. I remember hearing Tears For Fears on "The King Biscuit Flower Hour" just after this LP was released. I was mesmerized by their sound (even live!). It's a shame that they did not produce many more works similar to their first two LPs and eventually broke up (creative differences). At least we have this Gem to remind us how great a "young and hungry" group of musicians can truly be!

One of the more introspective and personal albums I've heard, The Hurting did very well for its remastering. I listened to the original CD release recently then replaced it with this one, and it's a welcome change to hear a bit more life in this recording as well as some nuances completely lost on the original CD. I did not notice a change in the speed, as someone else noted, but I have not done an A/B comparison. The additional tracks are interesting and nice to have, but they don't add all that much to the original album. "The Way You Are" is an oddity; it does not belong with this set except for its timeline (pre-"Songs From the Big Chair"). Instead it's what happens when "Tears for Fears" tries to be "WHAM!", which is a real break from the rest of the album's more early 80's synth/guitar pop sound.

But don't let that one track stop you from updating your current CD to this remastered edition if you are someone who finds this album important and meaningful. This album will click with those who grew up in a world where love and acceptance either did not exist or were conditional at best and will be spending the rest of their lives looking for what they lost. Musically and lyrically it is not heavy; it is surprisingly light and listenable despite the message underneath.