26-02-2022, 21:12
TEARS FOR FEARS ~ The Tipping Point
![[Image: 220px-Tears_for_Fears_-_The_Tipping_Poin..._Cover.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Tears_for_Fears_-_The_Tipping_Point_Album_Cover.jpg/220px-Tears_for_Fears_-_The_Tipping_Point_Album_Cover.jpg)
This album nearly didn’t happen – it was so interesting listening to an interview with these two. They only found their groove when they decided to ignore all other inputs and make a record they actually liked, as opposed to satisfying a demand for a succession of singles and working with younger producers, who they ultimately canned. It’s their seventh album since the band’s inception in 1983. I had not been aware that Curt Smith is exceedingly pernickety and would rather walk away than deliver anything not up to his exacting standards. Not just that – his being rebelled at the prospect of not producing a ‘complete’ album. I especially like that they were cognizant of track placement – another critical and largely overlooked aspect of making an album – of late, at least. One offsets or complements the other - all carefully selected so that there's a pleasing order in terms of listening - some variety and texture. I’m not necessarily a big TFF fan, per se, although I have an enduring memory of the “Mad World” video from a hundred years ago and there are bits and pieces along the way I’ve liked, however, this record has been crafted and that alone is deserving of some recognition, IMHO.
They sound like Tears For Fears and are not trying to appease current musical tastes, unless it suits them – they are what they have always been – an unapologetically sophisticated pop outfit making quality sounds, like ‘em or not. It’s their first album in 17 years, after they mended a rift that had developed between them, and it reflects their personal journeys and experiences in life, some of which have been difficult; Roland Orzabal’s wife died a couple of years ago due to alcohol related issues which he’s open about, and which was obviously painful and tragic. They have followed their own paths and you can hear the musical differences between them but it’s not jarring – they are separately whole and yet good together. With all those subtle nuances that happen as a result of acquiring a patina over the years, and (thankfully) intact and distinct voices that have lasted the distance, they’ve made an album I agree they should be proud of - fittingly titled too. In a word - accomplished.
Having said all that it seems wrong to single out one song - pardon the pun ... I am undecided! Hmmm ....
Going with two non-singles - lead vocal by Curt ...
The other with the lead by Roland ...
This album nearly didn’t happen – it was so interesting listening to an interview with these two. They only found their groove when they decided to ignore all other inputs and make a record they actually liked, as opposed to satisfying a demand for a succession of singles and working with younger producers, who they ultimately canned. It’s their seventh album since the band’s inception in 1983. I had not been aware that Curt Smith is exceedingly pernickety and would rather walk away than deliver anything not up to his exacting standards. Not just that – his being rebelled at the prospect of not producing a ‘complete’ album. I especially like that they were cognizant of track placement – another critical and largely overlooked aspect of making an album – of late, at least. One offsets or complements the other - all carefully selected so that there's a pleasing order in terms of listening - some variety and texture. I’m not necessarily a big TFF fan, per se, although I have an enduring memory of the “Mad World” video from a hundred years ago and there are bits and pieces along the way I’ve liked, however, this record has been crafted and that alone is deserving of some recognition, IMHO.
They sound like Tears For Fears and are not trying to appease current musical tastes, unless it suits them – they are what they have always been – an unapologetically sophisticated pop outfit making quality sounds, like ‘em or not. It’s their first album in 17 years, after they mended a rift that had developed between them, and it reflects their personal journeys and experiences in life, some of which have been difficult; Roland Orzabal’s wife died a couple of years ago due to alcohol related issues which he’s open about, and which was obviously painful and tragic. They have followed their own paths and you can hear the musical differences between them but it’s not jarring – they are separately whole and yet good together. With all those subtle nuances that happen as a result of acquiring a patina over the years, and (thankfully) intact and distinct voices that have lasted the distance, they’ve made an album I agree they should be proud of - fittingly titled too. In a word - accomplished.
Having said all that it seems wrong to single out one song - pardon the pun ... I am undecided! Hmmm ....
Going with two non-singles - lead vocal by Curt ...
The other with the lead by Roland ...
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
