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Songs from the Big Chair (Bonus Tracks)

Tears for Fears

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iTunes Review

The second album by the UK duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith scored some of the new-wave era's biggest hits via the 1985 chart-toppers "Shout" and "Everybody Rules the World," and "Head Over Heels." Ostensibly a synth-pop outfit, Tears For Fears thrived on an ambitious sense of scale that made similarly electronically rooted bands sound almost amateurish by comparison. The band's intellectual passion ("Shout" is rooted in his obsessions with the work of one-time John Lennon psychotherapist Arthur Janov) and surprisingly mature musical sophistication never cross over into the overblown realm of prog-rock excess, while the album's forceful solo guitar work is among the era's most lyrical and refined.

Customer Reviews

One of the most important pop records of the 80s

I kind of slept through the musical portion of the 80s and spent a good portion of the 90s playing "catch up." But I do remember hearing songs like "Shout," "Head Over Heels," and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" in every toy store, roller rink, shopping mall, and boom box during that time. Finally, I picked up Songs from the Big Chair (SFTBC) in 1992, which is probably the time when it was the least en vogue. This album pretty much captures the overall feel of 80s music for me. SFTBC was where new wave collided with progressive rock. Many artists attempted this fusion all throughout the 80s. But Tears for Fears perfected it. You have a lot of typical 80s trends here: the occasional bouncy synth, driving arena-like rhythms, aching vocals, soaring saxaphone fills and the occasional over the top guitar solo. However, Tears for Fears always stood out amongst the fray for 2 reasons. First off, they had something to say and didn't succumb to the same lyrical pitfalls that plagued most trendy 80s bands. Secondly, the songcraft is very strong and in some cases - complex. For any casual fan of pop/new wave, this is about as "essential listening" as you can get.

Grad from H.S.

This album changed the way I looked at the world and the journey I have taken in life. It maybe too deep for some, especially for the one star rating. Listen to the lyrics, the synergy of the band and the message. What a conscious effort it took to create an entire album to cover world issues from a common man's view. Sometimes we feel helpless with what is going on all around us and this gave us a unified voice and touched on basic topics we all can relate to. Great work!!!

best album of the 80's

seriously, this is my favorite album from the 80's. mainly because it sparks so many memories, but not only that, it holds up even today. the working hour and head over heals? come on . . .

Biography

Formed: 1981 in Bath, Somerset, England

Genre: Pop

Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Tears for Fears were always more ambitious than the average synth pop group. From the beginning, the duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were tackling big subjects — their very name derived from Arthur Janov's primal scream therapy, and his theories were evident throughout their debut, The Hurting. Driven by catchy, infectious synth pop, The Hurting became a big hit in their native England, setting the stage for international stardom with their second album, 1985's Songs From the Big Chair....
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