Search - Tears for Fears :: Songs From the Big Chair

Tears for Fears at their best

Paul Gray | Melbourne, Florida, USA | 06/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review pertains to the original 1990 release, not to the remastered 2001 version with the extra tracks.



"Songs from The Big Chair" is Tears for Fears' (TFF) sophomore release and exhibits some of the group's best music. This CD gets deep into the matter that makes up TFF. From angst to love to a deep understanding of life and the things that make up life, "Big Chair" is a testament to the feelings we as human beings experience throughout our lives. Several different musical styles are exhibited, from pop synth to jazz, to rock, to ambient, and even pop/synth/classical with a little tint of operatic counterpoint in "Listen."



While many listeners concentrate on TFF's hit songs, listening to the music "within" the music brings to the surface many tonal colors and nuances that are clearly not evident in the radio-edit versions of these works. This extra music adds to the flavor of the moment and colors the songs in various shades of light and dark that serve to enhance the emotions stimulated therein. This is especially evident in the songs "Shout," "The Working Hour," "I Believe," "Head Over Heels" and "Listen."



"Songs from The Big Chair" is considered by many to be the album that most defines TFF's music. It is both open and expressive, exhibitionist and extroverted, while at the same time personal and introspective. While other artists have successfully exploited these feelings in their music, Tears for Fears does it in a way that uniquely defines them.





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Songs from the Big Chair (Gold Master Disc)...

D. S. HARDEN | L.A.,CA USA | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot improve on any of the comments that heap praise on this album. It really is an 80's masterpiece.



Back in 2003, I had forgotten the title of my favorite song, "Funny How Time Flies" and had to call a DJ at KBIG 104.3 FM in Los Angeles, California to get the aforementioned title.



Title in hand, I went down to Tower Records on Sunset (in West Hollywood) to pick up the disk. Tower only had the GOLD Master Discs, for $26/US. Expensive, yes! But, I snapped it up anyway.



By the prices I see now for the Gold Master Disc on Amazon ($90/US+), it seems that I made quite the bargain!



Five Stars!"

Tears for Fears Immortal

Joe | Anywhere, IOWA | 03/10/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the album that, to me, complete makes Tears for Fears the memorable band that they are. This was my first ever cassette that i owned, and of course I have since gotten this on CD. I would listen to this on my "boombox" with the automatic tape flip, and let it loop endlessly, and i never got tired of this album. To this day, if i listen to this, i cannot help but sing along with every word, and jam out to the great songs that are on this album. This is a must have for anyone that listens to 80's Pop Rock, and a must own for anyone that has ever even kind-of liked tears for Fears. This album will change your veiw on the band forever. Great guitar licks, catchy melodies, and hook after hook throughtout the entire disc. Get this album and you will not regret it."