Saturday, July 07, 2007

TEARS FOR FEARS for 80s with some bonus..


Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Synth-pop

























THE HURTING (1999)

Notes: 1999 remastered reissue of the 1983 release with 4 bonus cuts.

Tracklist:


01 The Hurting
02 Mad World
03 Pale Shelter
04 Ideas As Opiates
05 Memories Fade
06 Suffer The Children
07 Watch Me Bleed
08 Change
09 The Prisoner
10 Start Of The Breakdown
11 Pale Shelter (Long Version)
12 The Way You Are (Extended)
13 Mad World (World Remix)
14 Change (Extended Version)


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/40782873/the_hurting_192_kbs.rar.html

Product Description
Digitally remastered reissue of the hit English new wave/ pop duo's 1983 debut album with four bonus tracks added, 'Pale Shelter' (Long Version), 'The Way You Are' (Extended), 'Mad World' (World Remix) and 'Change' (Extended Version). The album also features the original version of the top 75 hit 'Change'. 14 tracks total. 1999 release

"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. "

"I cannot improve on the other opinion's except to say - "Change." Twenty years later and I find out that it was "Tears for Fears" all along. Folks, I had forgotten about this song until I played it at my desk today. The major reason I even bought this CD was due to "your" high praise!! Excellent music! Thank you all! Five stars!! "



























SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR (1999)

Notes:
1999 remastered reissue with 7 bonus cuts. Track 7 is misspelled "Head Over Heals / Broken (Live)" on the rear tray artwork and again once in the booklet. Track 13 is a B-side from the single Change, which supported Tears For Fears' first LP, The Hurting, and does not appear on either the later 2xCD remaster for Songs From The Big Chair, or the 1999 remaster for The Hurting.

Tracklist:

01 Shout
02 The Working Hour
03 Everybody Wants To Rule The World
04 Mothers Talk
05 I Believe
06 Broken
07 Head Over Heels/Broken (Live)
08 Listen
09 The Big Chair
10 Empire Building
11 The Marauders
12 Broken Revisited
13 The Conflict
14 Mothers Talk (U.S. Remix)
15 Shout (U.S. Remix)


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/41179090/chair_192_kbs.rar.html

Product Description
Digitally remastered reissue of the hit English new wave/ pop duo's huge second album, 1985's quadruple-platinum 'Songs From The Big Chair', which topped the charts for five consecutive weeks when originally released. Features the #1 smashes 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' & 'Shout', plus the #3 'Head Over Heels' and the top 30 'Mothers Talk'. Also features seven bonus tracks, U.S. remixes of 'Mothers Talk' & 'Shout', along with the B-sides 'The Big Chair', 'Empire Building', 'The Marauders', 'Broken Revisited' and 'The Conflict'. 15 tracks total. 1999 release

""Songs from the Big Chair" was the second Tears for Fears album, released in 1985. Just like the first, it deals with serious subjects like anxiousness, anger and pain but apart from the first it concentrates more on the healing. The music itself is simular but a more mature sound with less synthesizers and more envolving artistic pop/rock. Needless to say Curt Smith ad Roland Orzabal's second album is just as good as the first but it sold much better and gave them the super status they deserved. Still today, looking back "Songs From the Big Chair" is one of the brightest moments of the 80's. "Shout" one of their most famous songs deals with primal scream therapy "Shout, Shout, Let it all out/These are the things I can do without", it's driven with an easy percussion instrument and a dreamy backround. It topped the billboard in 1985. "The Working Hour" is really beautiful with saxophone, percussion and a somewhat laidback and artistic sound. This slow paced song is very long and it capture one of Orzabal's best moments. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" another mega hit that peaked at #1 in the US, happens to be among my all time favorite songs aswell. It's well crafted with beautiful musically and with intellegent and well though lyrics and it has a memorable melody and chorus. The perfect pop song!. The lyrics deal with the impact media has on our lives and the never ending urge of integrity and control. If media was bad in the mid 80's, Tears for Fears should have seen how the media became 20 years later. "Mother's Talk" is what you think about, listen to your parents and follow their advices. A rocky midtempo that also was released on single. "I Believe" is a piano ballad with a very minimalistic sound. I believe it deals with self esteem, to be able to fulfill for your dreams no matter what. "Broken" is one of the shortest songs here, only 2:30. It's a midtempo that also deal with healing after being broken down, it segues into the next song "Head over Heels". A beautiful midtempo/ballad with wonderful piano sound, It's about being head over heels for someone and not realizing that you'll end up heartbroken before it's too late. "Listen" is also very long, clocks at 6:50. It's another stripped down piano ballad, beautiful instrumentation and very artistic with backround choirs. Listen to it all. The original album only had 8 songs but the remastered version also had a few remixes and outtatakes. (The Big Chair, Empire State, The Marauders, The Conflict). Overall, just like the debut album "Songs From the Big Chair" is a fantastic and very well thought album, like I said before, it deals more with emotional healing and broader issues like the family based debut. The sound is also a little more mature with less synthesizers and even more artistic freedom. Both of the albums are fantastic though and if you liked their debut, I see no reason to not like this one either. Also check out "The Seeds of Love" and their relativetly new "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending", both great."


"the music and seriously. this is a cd that can easily be listened to numerous times. The songs are all brought out with such flare and the vocals are done excellent, songwriting is on point as well. Just everything about each of the tracks. You feel what Tears for Fears were trying and succedded in doing making a throughly great record from start to finish. I know many folks have heard "Shout" if they havent well its really something that has to be appreciated first hand. It is long but you dont even notice that. You just find your self all into the song from beginning to end. Another one that i really enjoyed is "The Working Hour" it doesnt have to do to much, it just brings out another side of the group that you didnt know. "Everybody Wants...." another smash off of this very successful 2nd cd, it takes you from the start of the song and doesnt let go until the song is over. At that point your ready to repeat it again and even when its done. The song is still playing in your head which to me is the sign of a good song. Other favs of mine on the cd "Head over Heels", "Listen" and "I Believe". Also of note the remix for Shout is almost 2 minutes longer than the original version and makes the song that much better as well. As if that would even be possible. Also enjoyed "Mothers Talk" remix as well brings the song into a different light. I didnt however care for the other bonus tracks 9 through 13, something just felt seriously off with those songs. But that aside this cd still gets a 5 star rating from me..why? It does what most artists can't do bring you very quality music at no comprise to the artist making it in this case Tears for Fears. You guys own!!"

"Although it came out in the mid 80's this album still sounds fresh, not that music from the 80's is bad, but not all of it stands the test of time. I recently got a copy of this remastered /bonus tracks version of Big Chair. It was worth every penny, to get a few more songs from them. I have played this album sooooo much over the years and I still never tire of it. I don't hear much of a difference from the previous CD in the sound quality, but it sounds great. This is really great music from the lyrics to the production to the performance. I saw them years ago and they sounded as good as the album. Tears For Fears made some great music both before and after this album, but it was with this one that all the ideas really came together. I really don't believe it is possible for someone to NOT like something on this album. Check out the first album "The Hurting" a bit different, but really good also"





















LIVE SATORY SAAL, COLOGNE (KÖLN), GERMANY September 12, 1983

Tracklist:


01 Memories Fade
02 The Way You Are
03 Suffer The Children
04 Pale Shelter
05 The Prisoner
06 Ideas As Opiates
07 The Hurting
08 Mad World
09 Watch Me Bleed
10 Change
11 Start Of The Breakdown
12 Mad World (Second Take)
13 Pale Shelter (Second Take)


Bonus: Selected B-Sides (The two acoustic songs are from cd single of the Johnny Walker Session on BBC Radio One 09-21-95)

14 Music For Tables (Sowing The Seeds Of Love Sessions Instrumental)
15 Raoul And The Kings Of Spain (Acoustic)
16 Break It Down Again (Acoustic)


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/41367783/cd112.09.1983_192_kbs.rar.html

http://rapidshare.com/files/41375614/cd2_12.09.1983_192_kbs.rar.rar.html















LIVE IN LONDON ,HAMMERSMITH ODEON 1984

Tracklist:


01 Start of The Breakdown
02 Mothers Talk
03 Pale Shelter
04 The Working Hour
05 The Prisoner
06 Ideas as Opiates
07 Mad World
08 Broken / Head Over Heels / Broken
09 uffer The Children
10 The Hurting
11 Memories Fade
12 Change


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/41380944/hammersmith_odeon_192_kbs.rar.html
















CAPE FEAR - Live In Manchester 1985

Tracklist:


01 Mothers Talk 3:42
02 Broken 2:58
03 Head Over Heels 4:39
04 Everybody Wants To Rule The World 4:23
05 The Hurting 3:47
06 Suffer The Children 4:23
07 Change 4:30
08 Start Of The Breakdown 5:41
09 Memories Fade 5:18
10 Mad World 3:55
11 Shout


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/40776403/tff__cape_fear_85_192_kbs.rar.html


































BEST OF REMIXES (2004)

Tracklist :


01 Shout (Beatchuggers Remix)
02 Change (New Version)
03 Woman In Chains (Mix 42)
04 Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Wens Overnight Mix)
05 Pale Shelter (New Extended Version 12 Inch Mix QC)
06 Head Over Heels (Dave Bascombes 7 Inch N Mix)
07 I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)
08 Tears Roll Down (US Dance Mix)
09 Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Urban Mix)
10 Mad World (World Mix)
11 Mothers Talk (Beat The Drum Mix)
12 Johnny Panic And The Bible Of Dreams (Unstable Mix)


Link to download:
http://rapidshare.com/files/41179856/tff_rem_192_kbs.rar.html

Product Description
Japanese 2002 compilation featuring 12 tracks including 'Change' (new version), 'Pale Shelter' (new extended version/12 inch mix ? QC), 'Head Over Heels' (Dave Bascombe's 7 inch N. mix), 'I Believe' (A Soulful re-recording) and more.

"the album i have been waiting for the past seventeen (17) years. i have been a tff fanatic since the release of their second album, "songs from the big chair." being a teenager during those years, my life revolved around music, and collecting vinyl records. tff was my favorite british band of all time.
Having spent so much money on vinyl (i have MOST of tff's 12" singles), it was a difficult transition to compact disc. no, money is never a question - the availability of their materials is! i recently bought their three remastered albums from mercury records. much as it included the remixes i have and don't have, two of my favorite remixes (everybody wants to rule the world (urban mix) and mothers talk (beat of the drum mix)were absent. however, i must praise the digital remastering made on the three discs! the sound was superb.
For this japanese compilation, i could finally rest. they are here, although the price was quite expensive and the sound quality not that outstanding. but being a true fan before and until now, price will always be out of the question.
In order to truly appreciate this compilation, just think of the time you waited for this release, and how rare the tracks are. only for the true fans of tears for fears.
"put your head right next to my heart, the beat of the drum is the fear of the dark."
I hope many fans also share my point of view. the rarity of this product would already compensate for its high price."

"This release seems a bit of a desperate attempt at a compilation that the artist didn't have enough material for. I love TFF, but this CD, apart from a few select tracks, leaves you with tracks that are called "remixes" but are nearly indistinguishable from the album and single versions of the songs. The first track, however, is a great recent dancefloor filler reworking of the classic "Shout". This is an "OK" compilation, but buyers should beware though, this compilation isn't exactly what the title leads you to expect. If you are a TFF collector and/or completist you'll probably want this CD, otherwise, get the greatest hits compilation instead."

"I was very excited to see this remix CD available, even though a bit expensive, but Tears being my favorite group I had to have it. First off the following tracks are exactly as they are on the original album: Change, Woman in Chains, Sowing the Seeds of Love, Tears Roll Down and Johnny Panic & The Bible of Dreams, this in itself constituted the lose of 2 Stars. On the other hand here's a brief, non-musicians view of the remixed versions. Shout is a version I've never heard before...a very dance oriented mix and very different. Pale Shelter has a different intro and the chorus is repeated a little more, but is essentially the same. Head Over Heals is the Single/Video version...in other words not surrounded by "Broken". I Believe is, yes, the very soulful rerecording also the video version of the song. Everybody Wants To Rule The World is a Jazzy version with the edition of a horns section. Mad World....with added reverb, it now has a funky echo which makes this one of my favorites here. Mother's Talk, extremely different, kind of hard to explain...same as the 12" vinyl version from the 80s. Okay, so I'm not a musician, just calling it like I hear it. I was truly hoping for a totally remixed album...but I'm glad I have the remixes provided here."






























GRADUATE (pre Tears For Fears) - Acting My Age (2002)
Credits:
John Baker - guitar and vocals
Steve Buck - keyboards and flutist
Andy Marsden - drums
Roland Orzabal - guitar and keyboards
Curt Smith - bass and synthesizers
Notes:
Remastered version of the 1980's release with bonus tracks

Tracklist:
01 Acting My Age
02 Sick And Tired
03 Ever Met A Day
04 Dancing Nights
05 Shut Up
06 Elvis Should Play Ska
07 Watching Your World
08 Love That Is Bad
09 Julie Julie
10 Bad Dreams
11 Ambition
12 I See Through You
13 Premature Baby
14 Christ Look Upon Us
15 Oh U Boys
16 Only The Best
17 Think Of Me
18 Happens So Fast
19 No Second Troy (Alias Sam)
Link to download:

Product Description
Graduate features Roland Orzabel and Curt Smith in their days prior to attaining international stardom with Tears For Fears. They formed in Bath on the back of the New Wave boom of the late 1970's. After a one-off indie 45, they signed to precision and enjoyed a radio hit with 'Elvis Should Play Ska' (referring to Elvis Costello's critical remarks about the 2-Tone scene), which proved popular across Europe. 19 tracks in all including the 9 bonus tracks 'Ambition', 'I See Through You', 'Premature Baby', Christ Look Upon Us', 'Oh U Boys', 'Only The Best', 'Think Of Me', 'Happens So Fast' & 'No Second Troy'.

"Were it not for the fact that Graduate included the future members of Tears For Fears, this re-release of a 1980 album might never have happened. Their former group were more concerned with new wave music rather than epic pop. 'Acting My Age' is, at its worst, teeth-grindingly embarrassing on 'Shut Up' (featuring Roland Orzabal horribly immature vocals screeching "Shut up, shut up, you naughty boy") but is largely bearable. There are tunes which XTC wouldn't have been ashamed in the hook-laden 'Watching Your World' and 'Ever Met A Day'. Better still, though, are the nine extra tracks, some of which were to feature on an aborted second album. The two non-album tracks, 'Ambition' and the white funk of 'I See Through You' reveal songwriting maturity and are a definite step forward whereas the unissued 'Christ Look Upon Us' , 'Think Of Me' and 'No Second Troy' reveal their more considered, soulful side. The move towards their emotional keyboard-driven pop success of the future was just a small step away but much of this music is surprisingly palatable. " (http://www.leonardslair.co.uk/graduate.htm)

"If you are a major Tears For Fears fan, the band Graduate has much meaning. This is the band that Tears For Fears fans term Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith's "Pre Tears For Fears" days. This is a very accurate statement. For many years much of the work of Graduate was not widely available. In 2002, Sanctuary Graduate's only album "Acting My Age" was re-released. Included with this album are songs that Graduate was to include on a second album. Two of these songs were actually released while 7 additional songs that never were released are included. The term "Pre Tears For Fears" is very accurate - this is a very different sound than anything you would hear with Tears For Fears. Despite being a different sound, this is one terrific album - another gem involving Curt and Roland.
Curt and Roland would leave Graduate in 1981. Much of the reason why they left Graduate was that they didn't want to be confined to a band. Graduate was a 5 piece band consisting of Curt, Roland, Andy Marsden, John Baker, and Steve Buck. When they would form Tears For Fears - they would operate in a "project" mode. This would mean that Curt and Roland would form the nucleus and bring in surrounding musicians to help them complete the picture. Graduate was a full group - and the quintet was the base for the group. When Tears For Fears was formed, they would start out as a Synth-Pop band and eventually would transform themselves into a more natural sound that many would term "Beatle-esque". The first album that Tears For Fears would do would be an album called "The Hurting". As the title suggests, this was an album that dealt with the emotions surrounding pain. Later, When Tears For Fears would make "The Hurting", they almost seemed to put a more dark and haunting spin on New Wave. This was an album that really had a heavy Synth-Pop sound - and was an excellent debut album. This is a very different sound than Graduate.
The sound of Graduate was capturing on a music style known as the Mod Revival. Graduate's sound also had New Wave influences (some might even argue that Mod Revival was really an off-shoot of New Wave). In late 1979, the Mod Revival had begun to take full stream. Graduate's sound emulated a very close match to bands such as The Jam and early Elvis Costello. Mod Revival is often denoted by a Red, White, and Blue Target. The "Acting My Age" album cover seems to have visual references to this target. The Drums have the colors of the target and the "Age" is put in a target icon that reminds you of the Mod Revival target. As much as Tears For Fears became Beatle-esque in their music and appearance with their later music, the pictures of Curt and Roland with the Graduate band members in suits and ties conjures up memories of the suit and tie days of the Beatles in their early days (The suits and ties also remind me of a more modern group - The Hives). You won't hear too much of Curt in the vocals department - on Graduate, it's clear that Roland is the lead vocalist.
As mentioned the music does not sound like the direction that Tears For Fears would take on "The Hurting". In most cases, the music is much more campy. I mentioned Elvis Costello above. With Graduate it isn't hard to draw parallels in the styles between Graduate and Costello - it's easy to see the Costello influence. One of Graduate's more popular songs "Elvis Should Play Ska" was actually a song directed at Elvis Costello. It was around this time that there was also a revival in Ska Music. Costello had made a comment about Ska artists being one-hit wonders. Roland felt Costello had sour grapes and thus wrote the song.
There are many other good tracks on this album. In fact, all of the tracks are terrific. The first four songs are outstanding - "Acting My Age", "Sick and Tired", "Ever Met a Day", and "Dancing Nights" are all very catchy songs and immediately establish the talent and potential of Graduate. If you listen to the chords and melodies of "Ever Met a Day", you may actually hear a bit of a Disco influence (despite the fact that nobody admitted it in their music, there was an influence in many songs). The best song is a very unique song that is included is "I See Through You". This was a song that was released, but not on the original "Acting My Age" album. The song starts out with an R&B groove. The best thing is how the song "pauses" in several spots - makes a great effect. It also segues into a more acoustic toward the end. In the unreleased track "Christ Look Upon Us", there isn't much of a New Wave or Mod influence (the later, unreleased tracks seem to move away from the Mod sound). Roland had always been fascinated with exploring religious themes and this song is no exception. All of the unreleased tracks are excellent.
As for the liner notes, there are no lyrics that are included. (Check this for the lyrics and more info :http://www.memoriesfade.com/songs/graduate.html -saltyka) This is a bit disappointing considering these songs are not widely circulated. There isn't a lot in production and band credits either. The booklet with the liner notes opens up in panel format. There is a terrific write-up by Christopher MacAdams (who is widely respected as an authority on Graduate). This write-up is almost worth the price of the CD. Also included is a Singles and Albums Discography of Graduate. If you are a deep Tears For Fears fan, you will soon get hooked on this album. It does sound very different than anything you are used to with Tears For Fears. A new fan looking for some outstanding Mod Revival music should also be satsified. This comes highly recommended.
More info:


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Altered Images - Think That It Might (album -,and peel version) for cletus_buckley
Next share in 2 or 3 weeks

9 Comments:

Blogger anvilscepe said...

Salty. Tracks 2 and 12 from Songs From The Big Chair are Missing. Any others have problems with this download? anvilscepe

9:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi friend!

here is the link for the missing songs:
http://rapidshare.com/files/42292563/TFF-85.rar.html

I hope its OK now:)

greetings
salty

5:38 AM  
Blogger Gerard said...

Thanks so much, when i get this "Kraut Me AmadEUS" Mixtape finished
ill sent it your way.
Yours with a handshake,
Ger.

5:37 PM  
Blogger Jake said...

Thanks for the great post. Tears For Fears is easily one of the best groups from the 80's. Thanks again for upping the missing tracks.

12:50 PM  
Blogger Cupul said...

Thank you man, i have all in this world whit this album, thank you so much...

7:33 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Salty, Could you ReLoad The Hurting. The Links are dead.

Cheers
Morgan

7:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

please re-up the cd from "graduate"

4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Album The hurting down... songs from the big chair down please re up load

7:17 PM  
Blogger Judemac said...

There are a few underground and foreign releases with "ALL" of the TFF 12" and 7" rare tracks. One has a track called "Wino" which still has not surfaced on a CD, only vinyl. Another nice collection is a Philippines issue with all the rare remixes on 2 CD's but is rather hard to find.

8:45 AM  

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