frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on May 11, 2016 15:50:26 GMT
I guess those who know me a bit also know about my love for this band... Yes, the 80s were strange times, and a lot of the musicians from the 70s started doing strange things (not just Quo - see: Clapton), but there was also a lot of innovation particularly in the first half when bands were really exploring the possibilities that the new technologies gave them. Some of this music hasn't aged at all because it still sounds visionary and doesn't just imitate something that already existed. And some bands were wise enough to move on quickly from the electronic scene when it became mainstream. Anyway, to get to the point - Tears for Fears are one of my absolute favourite bands and apart from a bit of conversation on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums, superdeluxeedition.com (blog editor Paul Sinclair contributed to the first two box set reissues and got literally HUNDREDS of comments in response!) and between fans on twitter, I've noticed no place to really delve into the depths of their output. Hence me creating tearsforfears.boards.net/ and hoping that it will attract lots of fans, though it's yet to happen. With the band working on a new album (first since 2005!) and a long tour (mainly USA, but also two UK shows so far) lined up, things might pick up a bit. I suppose some people might shake their heads in disbelief at how one can love Status Quo, Pink Floyd, Rush, ZZ Top, Saga, Gary Moore and Tears for Fears... but to me it's all rock music and TFF are certainly not really comparable to OMD, Human League, Depeche Mode or the New Romantic bands (Duran Duran, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club). To be honest, I cringe at hearing TFF being called a synthpop band, because it's just mislabeling. A few of their early singles were, but a large part of their recorded material is actually guitar-based. Heck, the two main men/singers are usually seen with guitar instruments - Roland Orzabal plays lead and rhythm guitars on stage and Curt Smith is the bassist. Both were always keen to move on and change their sound if they were not satisfied with what they had done so far, which led to their albums including all kinds of influences: 60s power pop (mainly The Beatles), progressive rock, jazz fusion, blues, soul, synthpop, grunge, alternative rock, flamenco, hip-hop, world music, ambient....... you name it. Talk Talk have gone through a similar metamorphosis and are praised by even the snobbiest critics nowadays, but Tears for Fears tend to get ignored a bit - perhaps because they're so hard to classify? One funny thing is that when I first heard the band, I really didn't like them. And here I am now, running a PB board about them! But looking back, I think I didn't hate them but I probably was more taken aback by the depth of emotional content in their music (and lyrics). I think Roland is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and he certainly doesn't have to hide behind people like Lennon/McCartney or Jeff Lynne. This is probably one of the best performances by any band, ever (watch out for Roland showing off his vocal range at 8:25) - and it's not synthy in any way: Can't imagine a better combination of blues, soul, jazz and rock music, to be honest. This album and tour, for me, are the pinnacle of their work. Anyway (sorry for the long post), tell me what you think about the band, my forum, or both!
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Post by snakelady on May 12, 2016 18:41:06 GMT
Good luck with your forum, hope it'll grow into a lively community over time
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2016 23:47:10 GMT
I guess those who know me a bit also know about my love for this band... Yes, the 80s were strange times, and a lot of the musicians from the 70s started doing strange things (not just Quo - see: Clapton), but there was also a lot of innovation particularly in the first half when bands were really exploring the possibilities that the new technologies gave them. Some of this music hasn't aged at all because it still sounds visionary and doesn't just imitate something that already existed. And some bands were wise enough to move on quickly from the electronic scene when it became mainstream. Anyway, to get to the point - Tears for Fears are one of my absolute favourite bands and apart from a bit of conversation on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums, superdeluxeedition.com (blog editor Paul Sinclair contributed to the first two box set reissues and got literally HUNDREDS of comments in response!) and between fans on twitter, I've noticed no place to really delve into the depths of their output. Hence me creating tearsforfears.boards.net/ and hoping that it will attract lots of fans, though it's yet to happen. With the band working on a new album (first since 2005!) and a long tour (mainly USA, but also two UK shows so far) lined up, things might pick up a bit. I suppose some people might shake their heads in disbelief at how one can love Status Quo, Pink Floyd, Rush, ZZ Top, Saga, Gary Moore and Tears for Fears... but to me it's all rock music and TFF are certainly not really comparable to OMD, Human League, Depeche Mode or the New Romantic bands (Duran Duran, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club). To be honest, I cringe at hearing TFF being called a synthpop band, because it's just mislabeling. A few of their early singles were, but a large part of their recorded material is actually guitar-based. Heck, the two main men/singers are usually seen with guitar instruments - Roland Orzabal plays lead and rhythm guitars on stage and Curt Smith is the bassist. Both were always keen to move on and change their sound if they were not satisfied with what they had done so far, which led to their albums including all kinds of influences: 60s power pop (mainly The Beatles), progressive rock, jazz fusion, blues, soul, synthpop, grunge, alternative rock, flamenco, hip-hop, world music, ambient....... you name it. Talk Talk have gone through a similar metamorphosis and are praised by even the snobbiest critics nowadays, but Tears for Fears tend to get ignored a bit - perhaps because they're so hard to classify? One funny thing is that when I first heard the band, I really didn't like them. And here I am now, running a PB board about them! But looking back, I think I didn't hate them but I probably was more taken aback by the depth of emotional content in their music (and lyrics). I think Roland is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and he certainly doesn't have to hide behind people like Lennon/McCartney or Jeff Lynne. This is probably one of the best performances by any band, ever (watch out for Roland showing off his vocal range at 8:25) - and it's not synthy in any way: Can't imagine a better combination of blues, soul, jazz and rock music, to be honest. This album and tour, for me, are the pinnacle of their work. Anyway (sorry for the long post), tell me what you think about the band, my forum, or both! Its a site for sore eyes
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on May 24, 2016 17:03:04 GMT
I guess those who know me a bit also know about my love for this band... Yes, the 80s were strange times, and a lot of the musicians from the 70s started doing strange things (not just Quo - see: Clapton), but there was also a lot of innovation particularly in the first half when bands were really exploring the possibilities that the new technologies gave them. Some of this music hasn't aged at all because it still sounds visionary and doesn't just imitate something that already existed. And some bands were wise enough to move on quickly from the electronic scene when it became mainstream. Anyway, to get to the point - Tears for Fears are one of my absolute favourite bands and apart from a bit of conversation on the Steve Hoffman Music Forums, superdeluxeedition.com (blog editor Paul Sinclair contributed to the first two box set reissues and got literally HUNDREDS of comments in response!) and between fans on twitter, I've noticed no place to really delve into the depths of their output. Hence me creating tearsforfears.boards.net/ and hoping that it will attract lots of fans, though it's yet to happen. With the band working on a new album (first since 2005!) and a long tour (mainly USA, but also two UK shows so far) lined up, things might pick up a bit. I suppose some people might shake their heads in disbelief at how one can love Status Quo, Pink Floyd, Rush, ZZ Top, Saga, Gary Moore and Tears for Fears... but to me it's all rock music and TFF are certainly not really comparable to OMD, Human League, Depeche Mode or the New Romantic bands (Duran Duran, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club). To be honest, I cringe at hearing TFF being called a synthpop band, because it's just mislabeling. A few of their early singles were, but a large part of their recorded material is actually guitar-based. Heck, the two main men/singers are usually seen with guitar instruments - Roland Orzabal plays lead and rhythm guitars on stage and Curt Smith is the bassist. Both were always keen to move on and change their sound if they were not satisfied with what they had done so far, which led to their albums including all kinds of influences: 60s power pop (mainly The Beatles), progressive rock, jazz fusion, blues, soul, synthpop, grunge, alternative rock, flamenco, hip-hop, world music, ambient....... you name it. Talk Talk have gone through a similar metamorphosis and are praised by even the snobbiest critics nowadays, but Tears for Fears tend to get ignored a bit - perhaps because they're so hard to classify? One funny thing is that when I first heard the band, I really didn't like them. And here I am now, running a PB board about them! But looking back, I think I didn't hate them but I probably was more taken aback by the depth of emotional content in their music (and lyrics). I think Roland is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and he certainly doesn't have to hide behind people like Lennon/McCartney or Jeff Lynne. This is probably one of the best performances by any band, ever (watch out for Roland showing off his vocal range at 8:25) - and it's not synthy in any way: Can't imagine a better combination of blues, soul, jazz and rock music, to be honest. This album and tour, for me, are the pinnacle of their work. Anyway (sorry for the long post), tell me what you think about the band, my forum, or both! Its a site for sore eyes Hey, your site looks fine now. It wasn't anything personal anyway ;-)
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on May 24, 2016 17:14:57 GMT
I have just visited your website, and I must say it looks rather impressive. I hope it will attract a lot of fans. I have to admit a lot you wrote about the band was news to me, but you learn something new every day, don't you? You seem quite the music expert. I loved Mad World, Change, Pale Shelter, Shout when they came out, and I even went and bought a greatest hits CD which I rather like and still play on a regular basis. But that's about it. I had no idea TFF were still around... :rolleyes: So good luck to you and your forum. Thanks. I can be quite geeky, but I've got most of my knowledge from other sources (www.memoriesfade.com) Re: the bold part - You're not alone there. The reunion album from 2005 sank like a stone due to label shenanigans and a resulting lack of promotion, and the band are rather forgotten over here whereas they have played in the US, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Brazil etc. to quite large audiences (check out the videos from Manila). However, I notice that their songs are played quite often on the radio, and something like Pale Shelter definitely isn't a radio staple here but I have heard it twice not long ago. The two deluxe box sets were fantastic and another one (for "Seeds of Love", my favourite) is being prepared so I'm excited about that as well as the new album. Is this is the greatest hits CD you have?
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on May 24, 2016 19:28:16 GMT
Wait, must check... But the cover does look familiar. Yes, that's the one. There are two CDs in fact, some extended versions or a new mix of songs on CD 2. Some pretty dodgy stuff on that second disc if I remember correctly! And not even properly labeled... (the version of Head over Heels is the same as on disc 1, Tears Roll Down is simply the original b-side version...and the "Chosen Few Remix" of EWTRTW is a cover version ??? ) The original extended version of Pale Shelter is about the only thing worth listening to, and that one's been on the remaster for years. The original 1-CD version was released in a period when TFF might have been over, as Curt had quit the band. But Roland carried on and did Elemental (decent) and Raoul and the Kings of Spain (fantastic). He's such an underrated musician imo...
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2016 21:51:00 GMT
Its a site for sore eyes Hey, your site looks fine now. It wasn't anything personal anyway ;-) Is that an invite
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on May 25, 2016 10:07:20 GMT
Hey, your site looks fine now. It wasn't anything personal anyway ;-) Is that an invite It's whatever you want it to be
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Post by snakelady on Jun 4, 2016 8:35:42 GMT
You should put up links to your forum on other mbs too - or else how are people going to hear about it ? And did you contact the TFF officials ? An official link to your forum would help create awareness ..
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Jun 7, 2016 18:43:03 GMT
You should put up links to your forum on other mbs too - or else how are people going to hear about it ? And did you contact the TFF officials ? An official link to your forum would help create awareness .. Thanks, I have already put the site into my Steve Hoffman Forums signature and I'm planning to make some advertising on twitter (as that's where most TFF fans are). I also use it for commments on blogs etc. Haven't contacted Roland or Curt but given how they treat their fans, I'm sure they'll like the idea and could be cooperative if they're convinced by the idea. In the meantime, enjoy the picture Roland has up on twitter as his avatar at the moment:
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Post by robaneurysm on Dec 27, 2016 10:55:22 GMT
I have the remastered versions of the first 3 albums, was never a big fan apart from those albums, even though Metal is my main thing, I do like a lot of non Metal stuff, especially from the 80's (my era) and Erasure are my band of the time.
Got all their remastered albums on CD and 180 gram Vinyl and some box sets, they are far removed in every way from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Cannibal Corpse etc...that I love but I really dig their sound.
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Jan 4, 2017 19:40:13 GMT
I have the remastered versions of the first 3 albums, was never a big fan apart from those albums, even though Metal is my main thing, I do like a lot of non Metal stuff, especially from the 80's (my era) and Erasure are my band of the time. Got all their remastered albums on CD and 180 gram Vinyl and some box sets, they are far removed in every way from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Cannibal Corpse etc...that I love but I really dig their sound. Ain't nothing bad about a broad taste! Maybe I've said it before, but people ought to check out Raoul & the Kings of Spain - contains the hardest rocking TFF stuff as well as their softest, most delicate ballads. The album really deserved to be more successful. Oh, and I don't care for the 1999 remasters - worse than the Quo remasters IMO.
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 5, 2019 18:13:12 GMT
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Post by craydarr on Feb 5, 2019 19:58:51 GMT
Cracking LONG post, Well done you for setting everything up and showing your devotion to a band you love. I haven’t checked the site out but I will in time.
I have a hits cd which has a lot of cracking tunes on it and “Songs From The Big Chair” was a massive album in my teens , me and my mates ( and my now wife )used to play it over and over on the playing field. Shout was a particular favourite.
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 5, 2019 22:52:34 GMT
THanks, but I barely recognize my own writing in that first post! Thankfully they added more dates and now the rest of Germany also gets some love. I'm going to Bruchsal. If you want to see real fan madness, check this out: www.tearsandkooksintl.comThe truly dedicated fans who try to catch every TFF gig! Of course Quo has these too, some of them are on here
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Feb 6, 2019 6:35:25 GMT
I used to like Tears For Fears very much and in fact went along to see them live in 1984. I was a big fan of The Hurting and, particularly, Songs From The Big Chair and only recently grabbed the mp3's because I only ever had them on vinyl. I also managed to get hold of the 12" extended version of Shout which I played till I wore through it back in the day But when Seeds of Love came out I began to lose interest. I just didn't take to it - including Badman's Song! Just one of these things. I did see them as a guitar based band and, along with what Depeche Mode and Gary Numan ultimately became, and also maybe The Cure, gave me my favourite 80's acts - if we want to try and pigeon hole an entire decade. I moved away from metal when the songs from the big hair kicked in I've been watching these old Top of the Pops programmes and they're on to 1987 at the moment. Europe and Bon Jovi were on last week and it reminded me of how it all went wrong! For me anyway. But this isn't a topic about the 80's. Although there is a relevance - and a resonance - there.
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 6, 2019 9:55:40 GMT
But when Seeds of Love came out I began to lose interest. I just didn't take to it - including Badman's Song! Just one of these things. It's one of my favourite albums period Did you check out any of the later three albums? They have pulled out "Falling Down" on the current tour again, here's a video from a few days ago in Dublin:
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mortified
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Post by mortified on Feb 6, 2019 14:06:40 GMT
Am I allowed to change my mind? I've just listened to Badman's Song again and I immersed myself in it. Different dynamics throughout and similar to another lot I loved back in the 70's - A Band Called O. I take it back. I actually found the track in my iTunes library. I must have grabbed it a while back and forgot. Now I know why I did There could be an element of revisiting the back catalogue here Who was that backing singer again? I know she had a solo hit or two as well but I've forgotten her name.
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 6, 2019 14:21:34 GMT
That's the lovely Oleta Adams, wonderful singer and versatile piano player. Watch the video I posted from Knebworth - she's great!
She was actually the main inspiration for the change of sound. TFF had just played a show in Kansas City and they were becoming tired of playing the same show every night (due to the tapes playing programmed stuff in the background) and were stunned by how much atmosphere this woman could conjure up with just a small trio, playing in a hotel lobby! And when they later got stuck while working on the album, they flew to the US to search for her, and found her!
Oleta sang duet on "Woman in Chains", played piano & sang on "Badman's Song" and played piano on "Standing on the Corner of the Third World". She was far more involved on the following tour, even getting a solo spot on top of being support act! She later did another duet on "Me and My Big Ideas" from "Raoul...".
Her hits also came about via this connection. Roland eventually co-produced the album "Circle of One", the title track was programmed by him. "Get Here" and "Rhythm of Life" (which was written by Roland and Nicky Holland, but TFF could never it finish to their satisfaction) were the big hits from the LP.
On current tour news, TFF are playing at the London O2 today, followed by Bournemouth, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham and Nottingham, before they come to the continent (Berlin, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Paris, Milan, Padova).
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frozenhero
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 14, 2019 19:13:10 GMT
The deluxe edition of "Circle of One" is well worth owning, by the way (except for the last four remixes - awful!).
So, anybody been to the UK tour?!
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Post by craydarr on Feb 16, 2019 8:26:21 GMT
That's the lovely Oleta Adams, wonderful singer and versatile piano player. Watch the video I posted from Knebworth - she's great! She was actually the main inspiration for the change of sound. TFF had just played a show in Kansas City and they were becoming tired of playing the same show every night (due to the tapes playing programmed stuff in the background) and were stunned by how much atmosphere this woman could conjure up with just a small trio, playing in a hotel lobby! And when they later got stuck while working on the album, they flew to the US to search for her, and found her! Oleta sang duet on "Woman in Chains", played piano & sang on "Badman's Song" and played piano on "Standing on the Corner of the Third World". She was far more involved on the following tour, even getting a solo spot on top of being support act! She later did another duet on "Me and My Big Ideas" from "Raoul...". Her hits also came about via this connection. Roland eventually co-produced the album "Circle of One", the title track was programmed by him. "Get Here" and "Rhythm of Life" (which was written by Roland and Nicky Holland, but TFF could never it finish to their satisfaction) were the big hits from the LP. On current tour news, TFF are playing at the London O2 today, followed by Bournemouth, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham and Nottingham, before they come to the continent (Berlin, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Paris, Milan, Padova). I loved Woman In Chains, cracking tune. Like the clip as well, not sure I if it’s Roland or Curt singing but he sounds like Neil Young, except a lot more in tune.
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 19, 2019 19:56:35 GMT
Both clips I posted mainly feature Roland (and Oleta on Badman's Song)...
Apparently Steven Tyler once said that Roland has the best and loudest voice he's ever heard!
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Post by frozenhero on Feb 20, 2019 11:59:47 GMT
Here's a vid from Berlin, a few days ago, featuring Curt, and one of Roland's priceless announcements :
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Post by snakelady on Feb 21, 2019 7:25:16 GMT
Here's a vid from Berlin, a few days ago, featuring Curt, and one of Roland's priceless announcements : Nice to see the Tempodrom with a different setting (considering I've been there a mere three weeks ago). What I can't help thinking is, this music might be nice to listen to - I do recognise the song - but it doesn't create an atmosphere, doesn't grab the audience the way Quo does. For me it's pleasant background noises, like in a shopping centre (although that more often than not is less than pleasant). But then, maybe fans see it differently ..
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2019 20:00:00 GMT
I went to see them in Birmingham, superb as was Alison Moyet.
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