I think Tears for Fears are easily one of the best pop bands from the 80s. They might be just barely outside of the legit all time greats like Duran Duran or Depeche Mode, but even that assertion is dicey. These guys are as legit as it gets.
I enjoyed their 90s foray. I'll check their new stuff out soon enough!
They belong in the same sentence, but they are not in the same league.
That's my $2. It's worth more than most people's 2 cents.
But really, they're STILL making music, and it decidedly does not suck! I don't think DM's mid-2000s stuff was as good as their 80s stuff, but it was certainly the same band, and they were so freaking professional the whole time. They keep getting better.
Also, I am going to see them live in like 2 months!
I must admit I never cared for Duran Duran all that much. A few of the most popular songs, yes, but the rest...nope. Depeche Mode (aka "Depress Mode") was one of my favorites after they came out of Black Celebration and into Music for the Masses. Black Celebration = my least favorite of their work. I saw them on the Violator Tour. My daughter just the other day uncovered an old photo of me in the tour tshirt - she wants to know why I didn't keep it to hand down. I think Tears for Fears is a contender in the same ring with these other bands, but they somehow didn't get the same "street cred."
Thanks for this, Kevin! I had the same OD-experience on TFF as a kid in the 80s. I could happily go the rest of my days without hearing "Shout," but your take on their new music has me intrigued to revisit.
Well, I had The Tipping Point in my top 20 albums of 2022, so I must have liked it a bit! Great archive choice. I remember when you first posted it. I find The Tipping Point to be one of those albums that constantly reveals new sonic gifts, where a lyric you somehow missed the first through 99th time hits you like a freight train. I'm gonna go listen to it again now.
Saw them this past Monday in Vancouver. Almost 38 years after last seeing them. I would have preferred that set list again. Ha ha. Great light show. Great back up singer. Surprising big crowd, at least 10,000, for a weeknight. Well tolerated with cannabis and beer.
This is almost a sell-out probably will be by showtime. Really looking forward to this one - I will be serving the band backstage after the show - any regards that you'd like to send?
I was not aware of a new album, so thank you for that news. The previews sound good, and I think this is an album I could get behind. They have the sound I remember, but also not the same sound.
I think Tears for Fears are easily one of the best pop bands from the 80s. They might be just barely outside of the legit all time greats like Duran Duran or Depeche Mode, but even that assertion is dicey. These guys are as legit as it gets.
I enjoyed their 90s foray. I'll check their new stuff out soon enough!
With you being such a big fan of their earlier work, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one once you get a chance to play it.
Not great so far, but part of that's probably lack of nostalgia keeping me motivated.
Nothing wrong with that!
If nothing else, it really, really makes me appreciate Depeche Mode. There's a real chance they are the greatest pop band ever to exist.
*New Order has entered the chat.
:)
They belong in the same sentence, but they are not in the same league.
That's my $2. It's worth more than most people's 2 cents.
But really, they're STILL making music, and it decidedly does not suck! I don't think DM's mid-2000s stuff was as good as their 80s stuff, but it was certainly the same band, and they were so freaking professional the whole time. They keep getting better.
Also, I am going to see them live in like 2 months!
(definitely no bias here)
I must admit I never cared for Duran Duran all that much. A few of the most popular songs, yes, but the rest...nope. Depeche Mode (aka "Depress Mode") was one of my favorites after they came out of Black Celebration and into Music for the Masses. Black Celebration = my least favorite of their work. I saw them on the Violator Tour. My daughter just the other day uncovered an old photo of me in the tour tshirt - she wants to know why I didn't keep it to hand down. I think Tears for Fears is a contender in the same ring with these other bands, but they somehow didn't get the same "street cred."
Thanks for this, Kevin! I had the same OD-experience on TFF as a kid in the 80s. I could happily go the rest of my days without hearing "Shout," but your take on their new music has me intrigued to revisit.
I'd be cool never hearing that again, too. lol. If you get a chance to play this one, let me know what you think!
I aim to dig in for sure! :)
Great article! And great writing, as always.
I love Tears for Fears but I can imagine I would also get a bit fed up or at least saturated if someone was playing them 24/7 🤣
I'm usually a fan of a little poetic license, but in this case, I didn't take any at all. It literally never stopped playing.
Geez 🤩
Well, I had The Tipping Point in my top 20 albums of 2022, so I must have liked it a bit! Great archive choice. I remember when you first posted it. I find The Tipping Point to be one of those albums that constantly reveals new sonic gifts, where a lyric you somehow missed the first through 99th time hits you like a freight train. I'm gonna go listen to it again now.
Great minds think alike! It made my list too.
https://thekevinalexander.substack.com/p/on-repeats-best-albums-of-2022-part
Saw them this past Monday in Vancouver. Almost 38 years after last seeing them. I would have preferred that set list again. Ha ha. Great light show. Great back up singer. Surprising big crowd, at least 10,000, for a weeknight. Well tolerated with cannabis and beer.
Nice!
Not for nothing, another writer was at that same show with you; here are is his thoughts if you want to check them out: https://medium.com/the-riff/everybody-still-wants-to-rule-the-world-e18e754ad736
https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/2803/2023-08-02/tears-for-fears
This is almost a sell-out probably will be by showtime. Really looking forward to this one - I will be serving the band backstage after the show - any regards that you'd like to send?
Oh, man... That's gonna be a great time, even if you're working! Tell him them hello. Maybe show them this? :)
I was not aware of a new album, so thank you for that news. The previews sound good, and I think this is an album I could get behind. They have the sound I remember, but also not the same sound.