Reviews (page 7 of 14)
Solid album! Never knew there was a whole intro song to Head Over Heels. Couple skips but a strong, tidy effort.
Enough great songs on this classic new wave album to overcome the filler
Pretty good! Really well constructed, it flows between the hits thoughtfully and I didn’t feel like skipping much aside from the 6 minute saxophone solo in the second track.
One of my dad's 80's albums that i listened to the most growing up.
Thought it was really enjoyable. Unexpected for me as I normally don’t really like the 80s synth pop sound and this embraces that sound fully. Everything was mixed beautifully and with both clear individual pieces and complex layerings that I thought created an interesting soundscape. Happy I was exposed to something so different I enjoyed so much. Highlight for me was “The Working Hour”
I was wondering if the album's very well known singles would dominate too much, but the album supports them and provides a perfect context. I particularly like how Broken acts as an introduction to Head Over Heels, and tbh it's such a good song that any excuse to listen to more of it is welcome
Classic. Cool synths. Throaty vocals, not always in tune. Some great songs though, with catchy melodies.
Sleek '80s synthpop hits with dark aura, pretty high highs but outside of Head Over Heels, the second half is kind of a lull Still a good bunch of staple songs, it's an enjoyable album to listen to, lull included
Great classic album by TFF with some iconic 80's hits. Only topped by their Sowing the Seeds of Love followup, which I thought was a stronger and more enjoyable experimental release.
Some really solid songs on here but I can only do so much Tears for Fears and Curt Smith’s voice. Overall it’s really good, but just not really my style for a lot of it.
surprisingly good? didn’t expect tbh
I’m actually really surprised how much I enjoyed this one. I know of Tears For Fears but have never listened to them before and I had them down as just being another generic 80’s band. This however was brilliant with one exception, I didn’t like the song I Believe at all. Gave it two goes and I just doesn’t click with me. Top Track - Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Ik ben altijd sceptisch als het gaat over popalbums uit de jaren 80 waar synthesizers de hoofdrol in spelen. Maar dat dit een iconisch popalbum is, ga ik niet ontkennen. 3.9
Good album, lots of sax, long songs
This just squeaked in at 4 stars. There were a couple of track that I thought were weak
Hard to deny the hits on this one. Some of the album cuts are touch and go, but worth its classic status
Sounds like it was recorded in a cathedral, or should be heard in one. TFF made pop music sound so epic that I can remember many bands trying to copy that huge feeling. The hits are endlessly replayable, and the lesser known tracks ring with emotion. There was nothing like Tears for Fears.
Great songs
not at all what i expected, but good jumpy vintage 80's music
+1 for nostalgia bangers.
My hair isn't fabulous enough to match the 80s-tastic vibes!
In the world of pop, there was not too much bigger than this at its release in ‘85. The notable hits are here and the album flows and plays through well. Brilliant placement for “Head over Heels” in the soundtrack of Donnie Darko-slow mo scene piling out of the school bus and into the HS. Forgot about “Mothers talk” which is also a strong deeper track. Not quite a 5 but the impact almost gets it there. 4.5/5
With four of the eight tracks being certified hits, this album was played everywhere all at once at all times during the latter half of the decade. And although I wasn’t a huge fan of the band then, I remember enjoying the album. And it still holds up.
Hold the rotary phone! I enjoyed this far more than expected, as this isn’t really my decade. Actually ran through most of this twice. Definitely fairly loaded with some hits and will revisit.
I’ll admit I held a grudge against these guys for a very petty reason. A girl I was dating (and actually became my wife) put Sowing the Seeds on a love making mix tape and made me absolutely despise these guys. But I’ve come around. Of course Shout is great and after hearing a breakdown of Everybody Wants to Rule the World (maybe by rick beato) I have a lot of respect for that song. Mothers Talk is annoying. Head over heels is obviously another good. Enough here to go 4.
Although I find most of the other tracks kinda meh, Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels are enough to elevate this album to "great" status. Cool hairdos, too. 4.25.5
Really enjoyed this…. And never made a connection in style between TFF and Arcade Fire till today… but there it is AF took wholesale inspiration from these guys.
Soundtrack to about every film in the 80s
This was great. Lots of hits and the ones I didn't know were good. No low points.
Good shit.
It's not the apex of the new wave era, but it's a key player and for that it has my admiration.
So many hits on this album considering it was the number one album in the US. Brings me back to the days of the breakfast club.
I knew quite a few of these songs, but I genuinely didn’t even know the name of this band! My mom must have listened to this album while I was growing up. As a result it’s quite nostalgic for me.
BANGER
Probably a top 20 shower singing album. On another, 2 of the best mullets in music history.
Tears 4 fears
Very solid
Soft 4. Familiarity outside of the hits is low but the sound is unique and interesting
I haven't listened to this in a really long time ... this was great!
Great album. You hear a lot of Depeche mode and even tool beginning here.
The sound definitely shines through the good part of the spectrum of eighties sound. Sounds great. Ambitious song crafting.
Excellent Album
Enjoyed it a lot - some great tunes and some lesser known gems too. Not an all timer but still great
"Shout" is a masterpiece. I love the instrumental part of the album, it's very well done. "The Working Hour" beginning – I'm levitating with the sax melodies. It's the best song out of the album for me. "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" and "Head Over Heels / Broken" is overplayed, sorry. "Listen" sounds like a lucid dream. Fairy vibes, some magical world.
Es esch vorallem shout and everyone wants to rule the world guet. Söscht esch es emmer no sehr okay aber ned revolutionär oder so.
I don't think it's quite a 5 as the second half is a lot weaker than the first, but it's still a damn good album.
It agonises me that I can't love this as much as I wish I could. EWTRTW is perfect, and the other songs are also very good. Just didn't connect with it as much as other stuff I've listened to.
An album of hits with some nice deeper cuts
Really great album. Has a unified sound while each song still feels unique, Everybody Want to Rule the World is an all-timer and Listen really stood out this time. I Believe is a dud that slows the album down however imo
“Dad, what did the 80’s sound like?” Here ya go. Listen to these 8 songs. It’s crazy to put out 8 songs and 4 of them are still be played and recognized 40 years later. I don’t think I would immediately think of Tears for Fears as an iconic band, yet they have lasted generations. That’s crazy to me. What a feat to put out an album where half of your songs have long term staying power
One hit wonder lowkey but it is a banger
great stuff
Nice ambient synths and a strong general mood through the album
This album definitely has some of the best hits Tears For Fears has to offer including Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels. All three of those songs I, of course, enjoyed. Outside of those three, I thought that the album was great. There were 1 or 2 that were perhaps a little bit lackluster, but for the most part it was consistent and an enjoyable listen.
Stellar, powerful, sensual. Yes.
Some absolute corkers here. A high 4.
Amazing. Feels like it really has a finger on the pulse of the time. Fun to hear a ton of these songs in context.
Some absolute bangers, 80's. Biggest song is crazy famous
Liked this better than I expected. The hits were good but surprisingly the rest of the album wasn’t bad either.
1. I love New Wave and 2. This album has some absolute classics in it, and even the ones I wasn't familiar with were quite good. I didn't know Broken or The Working Hour but they're very good. And also head over heels is (obviously) just the best.
Thought this was gonna be another album where I think “okay but not my genre.” The first 3 songs on this are insane. Loved it. If it was a bit longer with the same quality it would be 5
Some big singles on this which still sound great today (Shout, Head over Heels in particular). Album tracks are a bit hit and miss though. The reason I always thought of them as a singles band. Would give it 3.5 if i could.
Enjoyed the songs on here that I hadn't heard. Much more experimental than I was expecting, overall though the production and lyrical content was a treat. 7.7/10 Fav tracks: EWTRTW, Mothers Talk, Broken
3 bangers and a few boring songs, not too much dead weight, great 80s sound and a mellow voice. One whole star for Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
Tämä oli hyvä kokonaisuus. Hyviä ralleja, voisi kuunnella uudelleenkin.
This album is better than I remember. No bad songs and a handful of catchy hits.
80s pop but better. 4/5.
Pre-listen: I've already got one of these songs in my liked songs list. Solid Album! 4/5. It's got a few bangers, and unique singing voices.
Some phenomenal songs and some ok ones. Very 80s sounding. I feel like if I listened to this a lot it would grow on me.
Enjoyed, especially because I grew up listening to a lot of these songs. Fun vibes.
Some great singles, works well as a complete album too. Likely one I won't return to but it's a strong record
My ears say cheers to Tears For Fears
Solid songs and album
Mucho amor
Hui. Das isch tüüf i minere Teenagerziit gsi😂. Isch immerna nice zum Lose und soo typisch für dazumal.
shout isch soooooo en banger. d drums de synthibaaaaasss aaahh. geile scheeiss. richtig cheesy 80er. scho seeehr cheesy haha aber riiiese opener. the working hour eeeewigs intro pure cheesr aber suuuper irgendwie. findi etz chliiii viel. everybody wants to rule the world isch ein vode beste songs vode 80er. de groooove. d bridge goht sooo dumm. sie wirked wie es doofs achtzger duo aber sie hend gwüüsst. mothers talk hani seeeehr streng gfunde zum lose. i believe seeeehr seicht, super kreativi melodie und s sacophon isch nice und s klavier eig au. aber s schriiter mer chli z langsam voraa. head over heels isch sehr cute. ich glaub ich cha dem album nöd tüüfer als es vieri geh wege paar rieeese banger aber finds etz nöd so u glaublich geil. aha am schluss macht head over heels no gaaanz anderi sache. wow. cool. hö ihm isch live???? listen isch etz au nöd soooo geil sehr kreativ hübsch gmacht aber sehr seicht. trotzdem e vieri well wenns groovt gohts loooos.
Super god, masser af hit sange
Honestly a vibe, knew a couple songs already and had on one my like songs. Usually more into fake!80s than real!80s, but this is chill. Very listenable.
REJOICE shout- 6 the working hour- 6 everybody wants to rule the world- 9. white people dont make music like this anymore mothers talk- 6 i believe- 6 broken- 7 head over heels- 9 listen- 5
Love ❤️
It has the "x" factor, these are hits. 4.
I really dislike the synthetic sound of most 80s music, but a quality song is a quality song. Personal enjoyment: 4/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5
Talented pop artists stuck in the 80s, but I can't hold that against them. Some big tunes, even the smaller ones seem to be crafted. Not much to say here because it's not like an arrow to my heart, but it's good.
Yeah 80s songs, I grew up in the 80s-90s, and discovered this musing a bit later, transports me to that age, a bit nostalgic. I will give a 4 even if is around a 3.7. But has several nice songs.
There’s a kind of spiritual wrestling happening beneath the polished surface of Songs from the Big Chair. It’s an album that holds both the ache and the beauty of being human—full of longing, anger, vulnerability, and a quiet search for wholeness. The big songs—Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels—are still stunning, decades later. Not just because of their hooks, but because of how honestly they tap into something deeper. Shout isn’t just a protest anthem; it’s a call to let go of the silence we’ve been taught to keep. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is both an observation and a confession. And Head Over Heels captures the kind of love that feels tender, unsure, and real. But it’s the album’s quieter moments—I Believe, The Working Hour, Listen—that open up the most. These are songs that ask more than they answer. There’s space in them. Room to breathe. Room to feel. You get the sense that Orzabal and Smith weren’t trying to explain life so much as sit honestly in the middle of it. That alone makes this album different. It doesn’t flinch. What keeps it from being a perfect record is maybe the very thing that makes it work. There’s a kind of distance, a tightness in the production, that can feel a little too carefully constructed. But maybe that’s part of the point too—how often do we try to control our chaos rather than risk letting it all spill out? Songs from the Big Chair isn’t about having answers. It’s about the tension between control and release, success and inner peace, the public voice and the private soul. And in that way, it still speaks—maybe even more clearly now than when it was first released.
Solid not something id own
Yeah, great album!
The 80s is so strong with this one in the best of ways.
This album is wonderful. Tear for fears has been very overlooked and so this is really good.
Great Album 4.5 stars
Listened in June 2020. Two absolute classic pop songs, don't listen to the rest often.
It's the 80s, so GIVE ME REVERB, GIVE ME DELAY. Seriously, the production rocks, but some sounds are very much a dead giveaway to the year this was made. There's some cracking tunes on here, Mothers Talk being one besides the obvious 3 I really enjoyed. I probably wouldn't come back to play this album as a whole to friends though, as it would just seem like I was trying too hard. 8.5/10
A contender for possibly the most 80's sounding album ever. Phil Collins really did a number on production back then, huh. Shout and EWTRTW are such massive songs it almost overshadows the rest of this album. Though the songs that aren't enormous hits aren't too crash hot. They're good, but very forgettable. Enjoyable listen, but can't say I'd see myself coming back to anything except Shout, EWTRTW, and MAYBE Head Over Heels.
Massive sound, endlessly satisfying. 9/10
New Wave has become my new "no thanks" genre. I just haven't really heard any New Wave albums that I actually really enjoyed. This is the first one that has changed my mind. I think part of my feelings towards New Wave is that there's a cliche/trope/expectation for vocalists that I just really don't like. I can't really explain what it is, but I know that I don't like it. This album does still kind of have that singing style that I don't really like, but everything else about this album is soooo good, that it really only keeps me from debating about if this album is a 5/5. This album is honestly pretty incredible. It's a ton of fun, and the big hit of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" does elevate the entire album. The transition between "I Believe" and "Broken" also does something to me deep down. Favorite Song(s): Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Three tear the house down bangers on this album in Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels. Broken leading in is crazy good as well. The album only falters in the center with Mothers Talk and then the even worse I Believe. Those keep it from 5/5 status but a great album overall none the less.
Masterful pop production. It wears its era on its sleeve, which is perhaps the only complaint, but also a big part of the charm. There are plenty of legitimately interesting ideas across the eight songs, while they all manage to sound like the commercially successful pop music which they were.
Just realized the version I listened to is not in order but surprisingly I found myself listening to most of the album a few times. I enjoy the African rhythms and the quality of the engineering is great. A surprise.
Really good and consistent effort from new wave pioneers Tears for Fears. The big songs on this album are definitely the best which leaves something to be desired for the other songs on here but it's still worth listening to this album just for the big songs
Excellent album, I've heard it many times and enjoy it each time. Their other work is fantastic as well. Very chilled out but not too chill vibe to it. The vocals on this album are top notch and draw me in every time. Excellent beats too, synth pop type stuff that I really enjoy.
What an album !! 2 major tracks on it
Strong start with Shout. Incredibly 80s in the best way. Beautiful wall of sound. Synth-pop, new wave.
I was really happy with this one because I loved tears for fears in high school. this is probably my favorite 80s band out of all that I have listened to so far. this is the only album I have listened to all the way through by the band. I liked every single song, but my top three were "mothers talk," "i believe," and "broken." I will admit, it is kind of difficult to relisten to an album you associated with a bad time in your life and still think it is amazing, because those emotions linger. but this album is really top-notch. I might not relisten to it fully because of the bad memories, but I will definitely check out their other albums since I do not have anything attached to those yet. I love all of the experimental noises and the surreal feel—such beautiful songs and a great album for sure. 💜🎶
Didn’t realize how many I already knew
Very clearly 80s, but still manages to sound relevant. I knew most of the tracks without having heard the album as a whole.
4/5
I am incorrect
That was a fun one. So many songs ive heard before
Melancholia plastered over with teeth.
When I was a kid, I thought he was saying, "Everybody wants to move away" and I thought that was sad.
Kwintesencja lat 80. Album prawie kompletny. Kompozycje, które zapadają w pamięć. Ballady są najsłabsza częścią tej płyty i jedynym powodem dla którego ostateczną oceną jest tylko 8/10.
Gets off to a bit of a shaky start but the second half of the album is flawless, really enjoyed the run of songs from Broken - Listen. Favourite tracks: Broken, Head Over Heels & Listen. Probably will revisit. 4/5
Enjoyed this album
Enjoyed
Kind of a banger here.
Fun!
Nice and short compared to a lot of the other albums. 40 minutes is really the perfect amount for an album.
Good classics album w hits galore
This is the 80's kind of music I like. A couple classics, a few others early on that were new to me and sounded good. 2 songs were really boring though. But overall I enjoy the darker synth wave sound of the album.
I had a little sinking feeling about this when I got it, after a few poor similar albums that just felt like a let down, but this really delivers. The two big singles are obviously very good, especially Everybody Wants To Rule The World, but they by no means do the heavy lifting. It's actually a really consistent and well put together album, and I'll be coming back to this many times.
Really good album. Standout songs: Broken, Head over heels I believe
Rätt bra!
Head over heels is a banger
4 out of 5. Not their best album but certainly has some of their best songs.
Nice 80s
A little rough in the middle, but bookended by some of the greatest songs of all time. Listening back to this now, it's shocking how much artist like George Clanton rip their whole shtick entirely.
i fucking love 80s synth pop
I really enjoyed this album and I was excited to get it. Although some of the songs were long, I didn't find myself getting uninterested on many occasions. Shout was probably one of my least favorite songs on the album, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World can be argued as one of the best songs ever written. The groove is so unique and fun on its own, and I've heard so many great covers of this song. On some of the unfamiliar songs, there was always something that made it interesting to listen to. The album is HEAVY 80s, which is more susceptible to the "cheese factor", but it still slapped and definitely deserves to be in the 1001 albums everyone should listen to before they die.
I wish I had known about this album when I was into lying on the floor and going on a musical journey.
Fabulous production, big sound - and some great tunes. If 'woman in chains' was on this album, it'd be five stars - but it isn't, so just 4 stars.
Classic 80's record.
Not sure exactly why I'm not at a 5. The hits are iconic, and there are a few on here. The production shines. Keyboards rule, but they do it in style. And while I like all of it, it seems a little... empty? I feel like there should be a little more to it. Could be wildly unfair, but I'm sticking to it. Very good album.
The 80s production is strong with this one, and I never cared too much for Shout or Everybody Wants to Rule the world. But Head Over Heels is an absolute banger. In fact, that mini suite was fantastic. This is a 3 in terms of my personal enjoyment, but I'm giving this a star higher because I dig their ambition and their lyrics. This is smart music, well presented and performed. It's just not my bag. (Having read Niko's review, I think she nails why it never really grabbed me. Too self-important and humorless. Still, it does what it does well.)
It really is a classic album. I cannot fault it one bit. The broken to Head over Heels transition is superb. Head over Heels is a perfect pop song. The album is littered with Nostalgia. Very close to 5 stars
Solid 80s shit. The hits are the ones that stick out, but maybe that's familiarity. But real songs with real lyrics, never gets old.
Ci sta
A fantastically fascinating snapshot of the 80’s. The instrumentation feels cohesive across the record, but also very different and adventurous between songs. Multiple all-time classics (Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels/Broken) to sing along too.
I had to Shout when I heard this one. Definitely give this one a Listen.
Ricura. No lo puedo juzgar de manera imparcial porque me encantan los singles. Es mi lista así que le tiro un 3.8
basic b coming out, I love Everybody Wants To Rule The World why doesn't Head Over Heels have more listens? this is also on my certified bangers list 4/5
The singles were great, the rest of the album was good but more ambient and avante harder than I was expecting. I can hear the influence on nine inch nails from this album. Will be good for repeated listening
It's not something I find myself listening to much and I personally get tired sometimes of their whole multi-layered reverb vocals thing, but it gives them their distinctive sound and no denying this an absolute classic that practically defined the '80s.
It is impossible to hear "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" with fresh ears, but the Teutonic march of much of the rest of the album still hits for me. Yes, "Shout" is ridiculously serious but they do it enough times to wear you down which is a triumphant twining of pop art's form and function. Yes there is a lot of sax in the non-hit recesses. Yes, they are not particularly fun but it was the twilight of the Reagan and Thatcher eras. Yes, it sounds like Yes did in 1985, with all the orchestra breaks. I don't know if I'm making excuses for them or for me, but it still sounds fresh for being so dated.
Everything beyond the singles was new to me; turns out that means a little less than half the album was stuff I already knew. One of the songs I didn't know was "We Can Work It Out," and that song alone guaranteed a 4 from me. Holy crap, what a banger! Everything else is icing on top, there isn't a bad track on this one.
Is this my favorite record from the 1980s? No, definitely not. Is this my favorite "eighties record"? Yes, 100%.
Great stuff
That was a good album, lots of classics
The live tag at the end of Head Over Heels is wild. This whole album feels like quintessential 80s synth pop, but it also feels better than that label
I'm way more in to the power synth rock versus the power saxophone ballads. But the vocals are like creamy butter throughout. There are too many hits on here to handle. I love the sound of the 80s, and this is really it.
Production is pretty impressive. One of the tunes would’ve made great Michael Jackson tracks.
This album contains two of my favorite Tears For Fears songs, Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The rest of the album does not seem to achieve those same heights but there is some very cool atmospherics and the musical arranging and production is spot on - adds up to a strong 4 for me.
it was okay. loved 2 songs
Paar geweldige nummers, paar mindere, maar merendeel toch wel erg goed. Blinkt niet uit in originaliteit.
Great classic album filled with soaring vocals, dope bass breakdowns, and unique instrumentals. Standout tracks include Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, I Believe, and Broken.
That '80s thing where the saxophone comes in and everything gets real smooth. Fascinating. I recall when the hits from this were all over the radio. Didn't mind it then and don't mind it now.
Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair An almost perfect album. First song that I ever heard of them was the third track "Everybody Wants to Rule The World", which was enjoyable to say the least. So when I saw that that track is on this album, I didn't expect much, that the rest of the songs were going to be inferior or bad compared to that iconic song. I was wrong. This album offers some genuine good catchy songs that have that 80's feel to it. It really makes you want to move to the beat, I don't know how else to describe it. Overall, this is pretty good. 1.- Shout = 9/10 2.- The Working Hour = 10/10 3.- Everybody Wants to Rule The World = 10/10 4.- Mothers Talk = 8/10 5.- I Believe = 8/10 6.- Broken = 7/10 7.- Head Over Heels / Broken = 10/10 8.- Listen = 9/10 FINAL SCORE: 8.9/10
Low 4 Shout and mother talk dragges it down Good atmosphere overall
#490. Three great songs, no terrible songs. What more could you want? Oh yeah, I want every album on this obviously incorrectly named book to be like this. 4/5: fantastic
Har hørt shout før, men ikke denne versjonen... What det er jo helt sjukt heftig. Dette albumet er så close til å være et 10/10 men så kommer plutselig "I believe" som er helt jævlig... Tynn og kjedelig ballade med nada å gå på. Avsluttningslåta er også helt OK. Men fy faen resten er jo BARE bangers. Nå har jeg sikkert hørt på denne plata på repeat i 24 timer haha
Head Over Heels is a GREAT song
Underrated band, and an album that took me back....
I love eighties music. This was particularly great. A lot of songs that I didn't know were by Tears for Fears.
Very 80's but somehow still not a terrible listen
I am familiar with most of these tracks! It is fun to hear the synth-y vibe from the 80s again. I still love listening!
3.8 - Some cool sound scapes and I think shout is a great tune
Like a quintessential 80s album with lot of synth... "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Lot of long songs, but some bangers at 2 of the 8 tracks is a quarter, pretty impressive.
Really good album.
Lots of hits, short and doesn't overstay it's welcome album.
Enjoyed this, although I think of Tears for Fears as being very 80s, I didn't think it was that 'of it's time' and sounds pretty fresh really. Shout and Everybody Rules the World are fantastic songs, I liked Mothers Talk and Head Over Heels too having not heard them before. Not quite 5* as these are some long tracks that can drag a bit, especially the closer Listen. It feels like they wanted to drag out the album over a 40 minute running time without any real ideas to fill the time
What a pleasant surprise! I really enjoyed listening to these "larger than life" synth pop bangers. I would rate it as a 4.75 record because there is indeed one filler song that kind of ruined my listening experience.
Great album that defines the sound from that era with some of their best work.
Tears for Fears is a beautiful band. But needs a specific mood… At least for me
Very good!!
I can feel the 80s coming through my headphones. Wild part is, this could release today and it would be a hit. Some nice electronic vibes to some of the hits, that were ahead of their time.
‘Shout’ is a very good opener. A nice listen for a Sunday morning; it’s chill, but there’s a lot of power behind it, even on the more pop-oriented songs.
Favorite tracks: Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Mothers Talk, I Believe, Head Over Heels. I expected to like this, then I really, *really* liked it. I love the hits, but this listen-through made me appreciate how weird they are. It can be easy to dismiss radio-friendly bands, but man, this is a cool album. Even somewhat challenging at parts - horns, applause, motifs. Cool! The top review here says something like "I'm on the verge of giving this a five. Fuck it." I'm wrestling with it, too, but I think I'd need more time with it to decide. Going to stick with 4 stars, but this was really a treasure.
Very nice songs like shout.. Very different sound signature
Day 83 - Jan 17th, 2025 I actually liked this one way more than I thought I was. I've always hated Everybody Wants to Rule the World growing up, but now I have a new appreciation for it. 4/5
Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair Absolute Classic. They had a new sound like nobody else at the time and I remember the first times hearing them. Great, strong emotional voice. Solid song writing. Great over-lapping vocals and harmony (like end of Shout with both voices singing different things). Newer digital sound but didn't forget SOLID guitar mixed in. Even had horns, etc. Great band early on and very innovative. Great album. Favorite: Head over Heals Listen End to End Without Skips Rating: 8 - I hadn't heard several - liked all of them
Some absolute classics on this album in the form of Shout, EWTRTW, and Head Over Heels. The rest of the album is a good listen and flows together nicely in a way that somewhat reminds me of Disintegration. Every time I hear Tears For Fears it takes me back to my childhood when I caddied as my regular would only listen to them. Overall really great album, one or two okay songs but the rest are fantastic.
LP
Cool! Creative! Imaginative! Daring!
Beautiful powerful voices in these retro tunes. Can’t believe this album is 40 years old. I’d say it holds up!
I'm sick but this album is so good. thumbs up
Love these guys
Pretty amazing but a bit inconsistent for me … still epic as all hell
First listen on 20250109. Good album. Nice atmospheric aesthetic and perfectly encapsulates the 80s.
I know head over heels and everybody wants to rule the world, I scrolled down and I remembered they have the AI album cover! Ew! Anyway.. I like that I’m familiar with his voice :) Shout: I’m liking this one, I wouldn’t mind this being on in the car but nothing standout really.. A couple minutes later… I liked the organs and how it’s all coming together What is this fade out? Do they not know how to end a song? Haha WHAAT SAX??? Dude this album is so mid so far The twerking hour This feels like an album that would be played on the radio, I’m sure lots of effort went into it but it’s so middle of the road! Oh hell yeah everybody wants to rule the world 😎😎😎😎 i like this one , it’s getting me excited for summer!!! Amazing song! I was dancing to it the entire time! I’m very excited for summer.. will be listening again, and again OHHH YEAHH IM GROOVING TO THIS ONE!!! MOTHERS TALK🗣️🗣️🗣️ very talking heads I believe… uhh I’m not liking this so far but hey the intro could just be long I like the sax, more sax = better album.. according to every music critic ever ‘Tempo change, please!’ To no avail Okay it’s growing on me.. the sax. This is sax Riggs!!! I decided to stop my notes to enjoy the album better, but it really picked up! I’m loving it! Maybe the reason I wasn’t so invested in Bowie is because I was taking notes?
A pretty good record! Everybody Wants To Rule The World is probably the biggest hit, but there are some other great tracks here: Shout, Mothers Talk, Head Over Heels - all fantastic. FWIW I could prob take-or-leave most of the rest of it, but even the other tracks are on brand/theme/feel. Quite cohesive. There is a bit too much synthetic sound on here for me - sucky synth drums and such.
Still exciting in 2025. Catchy and soulful
Really good. One of those albums that need to be listened to in one go.
80/100
This is great. Very 80:s, which I usually tend to not love, but the songwriting here is undeniable.
A certified banger, hit after hit and a great sound. Will visit this port again and again now I've been here. High 4.
Monumental !
Fun pop album that has better stand the test of time than other albums of the 80s
Frábær plata. Einstakt sound og eldist vel að mínu mati.
Classic
Shout- very very 80s in the same vein living on a prayer is very 80s. Not necessarily a bad thing tho- just oddly nostalgic. 7.5/10 ? The Working Hour- interesting- huge fan of the instruments and the mix. 8.2/10 Everybody wants to rule the world- I don't even need to listen to this. One of my favourite songs of all time. Very situational tho (it's hitting tonight). 10/10 Mothers Talk- very meh but gets better towards the end 5.5/10 I Believe- fucking love the piano 6/10 Broken- love the 80s ass guitar. 7.3/10 Head Over Heels- sick riff at the end + full bodied 9.4/10 Listen- I kinda fuck with this. 8.7/10
One of the albums I think of when I want classic 80s music. A lot of songs are very repetitive though
i love tears for fears!!!
Good album. Was surprised at how many songs I was already familiar with on it.
Jako mi je drag ovaj album, totalno mi paše i volim te zvukove. Baš fino! 🥰 Bit će 4/5 ili 8.5/10.
Better than I remembered
Didn’t think I’d care but that was actually really good
A couple duds brut really good
The first album I've had on record so far. Enjoyed this album a lot, and think it flows really nicely. Standout Tracks: - Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Head Over Heels
The saxophone. One of a gazillion reasons why the 80's is my favorite musical decade. Love the alligator mouth trio of Broken>Head Over Heels>Broken. But not quite a five, I'm afraid. 4.5
It was the best
Some good songs and a good length. I can't say the whole album was strong because there were a couple snoozers in there. But overall it was a good album.
The singles are obviously excellent, as to be expected from songs that are pillars of 80s pop, and while the rest wasn't bad, they did feel a little weaker, with most of the songs feeling a hair too long. Most of the material felt like the same riff or synth pattern repeated, and a little more shakeup would've been appreciated. Still a great album with fantastic performances from the band.
Its pretty good
Mostly typical 80s Brit-pop. But I remember really enjoying the radio singles back in the day, so they score some positive nostalgia points for that.
While I don’t love this, it’s more interesting and creative than other albums of its era. I do really like the 3 hits. Nice to hear the true ending to Head Over Heels/Broken which was cut off on radio play.
Tengo naturalmente cierta tirria a tears for fears porque sus canciones más populares (que son precisamente las tres grandes canciones de este disco) están tan trilladas, con un sonido tan datado, que pensaba que no me iba a gustar el disco, pero realmente el disco funciona bien.
Nostalgic since it's pretty much the Donny Darko soundtrack.
Did't know all these bangers were on one album.. super experience overall
A really good album, I loved the songs Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Head Over Heels/Broken and Listen.
Very 80s album. Has that smooth melancholia that grips you and very emotional vocals over great instrumentals. Head over heels is amazing.
Only ever listened to the \"hit\" by tears for fears so this is the first album ive listened to all the way through and i was quite surprised at how good it actually was
норм. последняя песня вайбовая, напомнила М83
Heard this before, proper 80s classic. Definitely prefer the more well-known songs, but it's just a really good album. Fav tracks: Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Head Over Heels, Shout
An awesome band and probably their best album. Some are total fives. There are some songs that I would write lower, which is why this album gets a four out of five.
Top-tier 80s pop. Sounds like it was recorded in a big shipping container. Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World the highlights.
Great album! Head Over Heels is one of my favorite songs of the 80's; the bass line is just so damn good. Rest of the album is good-to-great. 4.4/5
Great album. I listened to it for another list. 4/5
Wow, no idea this album had so many bangers 4/5
This is one of the big ’80s classics for a reason. Tears for Fears take heavy ideas, society, power, fear, politics, mental struggle and wrap them in beautiful synth-pop and new-wave production. The songs sound catchy and fun, but when you actually read the lyrics, they’re much deeper than most pop from that era. The production is carefully built. Nothing here feels like “let’s just make a hit and cash in.” The arrangements are thoughtful, layered, and emotional. It’s pop music, but it’s made with real artistic vision. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” is the clear highlight. The melody is gorgeous, the pacing is perfect, and the lyrics about power and control still feel relevant today. It’s easily one of the greatest songs ever written. “Shout” has an incredible build-up and huge intro, and “Head Over Heels” is another beautiful, emotional track that shows how good they were at balancing pop hooks with meaning. If the closing song was a bit stronger, this might honestly be perfect but even as it is, it’s still a classic. A smart, emotional, and incredibly well-made album.
good
Shout! Let it all out! Everybody Wants To Rule The World Did not know the two above songs were by them! "The Working Hour" was good too, nice Saxaphone
Great 80s pop album. I forget the name of the guy who sings, but he has one of the best voices out there. It was cool to hear some of the songs transition into one another. Didn’t expect it. There are a lot of classics here, but I didn’t enjoy everything else here. Shout is a classic, but I find that song annoying. I got the idea of the ending song Listen, but it went on too long and I wish it was just the instrumentals without lyrics. Standouts: The Working Hour, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Mothers Talk, Broken, and Head Over Heels / Broken.
Once again the authors favourite genre. Quite left field to even discover this. Bizarre.
Loved the mullets. Loved the vibes
Sexy and timeless
There are a few bangers that are always a good listen, but I don't love the album as a whole. It's interesting to listen to the "b sides", but I don't exactly enjoy them. I know they were exploring psychological turmoil and social issues, and I appreciate that.
In an earlier review I claimed that the 80s have never really done it for me. Perhaps that was not very well thought out. Because this was the shit! Maybe needed one or two more bangers to get a fiver. Simpsons: No
I like the dreamy industrial feel of this. Very cloudy, yet mechanical and sonically bold. This album is quite front-loaded ngl. The second half of the record is moodier and doesn't have as strong a footing, with the low moment for me being the song I Believe, but I enjoyed Head Over Heels as well as the closing track, which has some nice ambient vibes to it. It's an album that doesn't say that much, yet it has its heart in the right place when it comes to its topics. It's not an outwardly political album, in the sense that it's pretty safe and doesn't even talk broadly about its issues, but it's pretty clearly informed by the Thatcher years and the rising tensions of the Cold War, with themes being anti-elite, anti-war, anti-nuclear, and, to an extent, even anti-capitalist, one might say? It works thematically, for sure. P. S. My first impression from listening to this record was, "Wow, this sounds like Depeche Mode!" I did not even know Shout is not a Depeche Mode song, but now I not only know that it isn't, but also that the vocalist from Tears for Fears literally admitted to being not just inspired, but also jealous of Depeche Mode, to the point of saying he thinks Shout would be better as a Depeche Mode song. Crazy and surprisingly humble. Actual rating for me is 9/10, or 4.5/5.
It feels like a 1980s movie. The nostalgia swarmed my brain throughout the album. The singing, rhythm, and beats are great. This album has been a pleasant surprise to me. Favorite Song: "Everybody Wants To Rule The World".
Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World are great, everything else is just fine.
Heard of them and know a few of their songs.
It was an interesting mix of Pop, jazz/blues and something of the aethereal 80's vibe. Overall not a bad album. It was all very pop but something a little deeper. I was not a big fan of I Believe, it was sort of slow and blah. After a pretty up beat start, it seemed really down. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is a winner in my book. I didn't realize they did Shout and Head Over Heels, so that makes it pretty cool. The Working Hour and Listen weren't too bad either. Listen was cool but it got a little long. I wonder with songs like Listen, is that something the band really liked and believed in and so they fought to get it on the record but the producers were like, nope that is not good but we will give you one.
some all time hit bangers with a lot of cheesy cheesy fillers. almost didn't make the 4-star rating.
Love this album. So many memories.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD:speaking_head::fire:
Great album. Personal favourite is Head Over Heals 4/5
cumpleaños chica no hay que preocuparse
Great guitar playing for the time period, when a lot of the playing was excessive and tasteless. Awesome songwriting. Strange chord progressions that caught me off guard but worked well.
Some classics. Some new wave garbage
Yllättävän hyvää synapoppia! 4/5
For some reason I've always held this album to a high regard but never really listen to it all that much at least not as much as *The Hurting*. And I think a lot of it has to do with the big singles definitely "Shout", my favorite, and "Head Over Heels"are just magnificent... and" Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is undeniably a perfect little pop song. But not much else draws my attention.... Side 2 itself, other than the aforementioned "Head Over Heels", seem to be more about sonic texture rather than song craft and it kinda lost me there. High 3.5, but 4 on the app (7.8) ★★★½
This starts off really strong, even if this 80s production is not my favourite, but it meanders off after a while. Low 4 stars
One of the great albums from my youth. It holds up so well. It's basically a concept album -- musical themes come and go throughout. So many good songs here. Solid contemplative pop that I know note for note. Unexpected bangers: Mother's Talk, Broken.
-i had of course heard the orgasm beauty that is EBWTRTW before, and was not disappointed by the rest of the album. I’m a fan of Depeche Mode and was surprised how much a lot of it reminded me of them. Every track has a great atmosphere and it never gets majorly boring -Favorites are Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, and Mothers Talk
Great album. Forgot about these songs but man are they good.
Quite liked this, even the tracks I'd hadn't heard before
Catchy 80s fare
A handful of quintessential songs of the 80s, but if you remove them, the album is sort of meh.
the big songs on here are unimpeachable. actually almost perfect. but the connective tissue just isn't there. i enjoyed this album, and i'm glad i listened to it, but i don't see myself playing anything but the heavy hitters in the future.
Discazo con temas clasiquísimos. Mi favorita es Head over heels, pero me gusta mucho que es como escuchar el soundtrack de laberinto si no lo hubiera hecho Bowie.
Shout has to be one of the most iconic songs of the 80s. Instantly recognizable for anyone who has heard music before. And then Everybody Wants To Rule The World comes along and it's probably only slightly less iconic. It falls off a little after that but is a great album nonetheless. Perfectly encapsulates the pop music of 1985. I find it hard to rate this one too, 4 seems a little high but 3 isn't enough. We'll call it 3.75/5 and round up.
Here’s another great one, this one I have on vinyl, but I don’t break out often enough. The hits still hit and the deeper cuts are great as well. Love the tribute to Robert Wyatt!
Pretty good! I liked it more than I thought I would.
All the classics. Really a vibe from beginning to end.
So good. So 80s. Immaculate production. Bop after bop. An easy 8.5 to 9/10
Pure 80s
I liked it better than I thought i would
Pretty awesome album. I’ve probably heard every song on here before, but never listened to it as a whole. It’s amazing how many hits came off of this one record.
Really quite atmospheric - you get a sense of this in the big singles from this (Shout & Everybody Wants To Rule The World) but a lot of the rest of the album is less of a hit-factory and trying it's hand at a lot of different instrumentation and gifting a lot of space and time to it (such as on closer Listen). It's quite interesting and as a whole album does work quite well, but I do wish there were a few more hooks in some of those more atmospheric tunes. Highlight track is (somewhat obviously) Everybody Wants To Rule The World - which really is a 10/10 perfect song. This was interesting and expansive. 7.5/10.
This is the only album I know from this artist. I do know more tracks though. I do enjoy this artist and music very much.
- Mehr 80er geht nicht - Ich vergesse immer wieder, wie viele verdammte Hits die hatten und wie viele davon auf diesem Album sind - Und ich vergesse auch immer wieder, dass ich die irgendwie ganz geil finde, auch wenns zwischenzeitig sehr kitschig wird - Hatte mit einigen Längen sehr viel Spaß bei dem Album 4/5
One of the best pop albums ever made.
Includes a track that I think encapsulates 80s pop music in Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Never listened to it entirely until it was recommended here, but I think this is absolutely brilliant. Pop music to be sure but with progressive songwriting sensibilities.
Enjoyable throughout, wears the 80s on its sleeve - banger after banger.
Shout and Everyone Wants To Rule The World are great, the rest of the album is solid but doesn't hit that same level
A collection of great pop songs. I love shout and everybody wants to rule the world and the transition from broken into head over heals was great
This is such a staple of the 20th century, it's difficult to be objective. So I won't. I like it more than many other albums, but not as much as others.
Great album Great music Pretty great
Great album, a little slow in parts
I admit I didn’t pay much attention to these guys back in the 80s. So I was storied by the strength of this album. Their orchestration sets a distinct mood. Good listen.
Obviously the big single (Everybody Wants to Rule the World) is great; rest of the album is fine; final song is pretty chill.
I love this album! It makes me feel like I’m in an 80s coming of age film.
Certainly there were big songs from this album but with that said I did not not know how the rest of the album would be. In short, it was pretty darn good, start to finish. "Shout", "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Head Over Heels", are, of course the most notable songs on a very good Brit Pop album!
Killer album. Atmospheric yet catchy and poppy. Production is awesome, great drums and variety through out. Would be an excellent driving at night album Fav song: Shout, Everybody wants to rule the world, Mothers Talk, broken, head over heels
Great album. Not a bad song on it.
The two monster hits make it worth the price of admission. But the rest of it is pretty good too. Little more mellow little jazzy which I kinda like.
Everybody wants to rule the world - iconic song. Album started off a little slow but I was definitely bopping my head by the end of it.
I liked it a lot, especially the slower tracks like "I believe" and "The Working Hour" and of course the hits, "Everybody Wants to rule the world", "shout" and "Head Over Heels" great album
This was a revelation. Why’d I like it so much, beats me.
tears for fears man! can hear the vague kraftwerk influences. some parts of the album are a bit of a drag but overall great stuff. 3.8*
Oh, it's just nine inch nails
Forgot how good this album was happy to visit it in full
Excellent
Top of the charts 80s new wave banger
Back to the new wave pop-rock. Yay. But actually, I do like Tears for Fears. Of course 'Shout', 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World', 'Head Over Heels / Broken' are all-time classics. In particular, I liked 'Listen'. Just cool vibes. Half of the album being spectacular is a pretty good track record.
Nice album. Shout and everybody wants to rule the world are classics.
I have the vinyl album and at least one 12" single, maybe a few. The album actually holds up pretty well all things considered. The songwriting is good, and the other elements are solid as well, interesting instrumentation, evocative vocals.
Tears for Fears is one of the better pop groups from the 80's in my opinion. This is their most notable album, and it's pretty damn good.
Jest kilka utworów znanych z radia. Zawsze to miła niespodzianka dowiedzieć się kto wykonuje ten znany utwór, który słyszałeś milion razy. 4/5
Side A is one of the most immaculately produced, intricately detailed, tightly crafted Side As in pop music history. The only real complaint you could lobby is that some of the songs — especially the opener, “Shout” — go on for a bit too long. Like, a 9.5/10, making you expect nothing less of perfection from the rest of Songs From The Big Chair. Side B, on the other hand, is a lot weaker. Still good new wave era pop, sure, but nowhere near the caliber of the first half. Really, “Head Over Heels” does the heavy lifting on this side, as “Broken” is an interlude more than anything, though it’d be great if it’d been expanded to a proper song. The other two tracks, “I Believe” and “Listen,” are softer, overwrought piano ballads that haven’t aged very well. The synths sound overblown for the first time, and the gloss and shine read as too clean. It doesn’t help that these also aren’t the strongest tracks here, regardless. Songs From The Big Chair is one of those records that you can keep on your record player for a week without flipping it over. And while I don’t hate Side B, I wish “Head Over Heels” was just on the first half, because it would make life easier. It’s one of those records that could have been flawless, and may have felt flawless in the ‘80s, but has too maybe weak moments to get there. Still, its strengths still hold up very well, and that makes it a worthwhile listen, even after all these years.
4.5/5. Welcome to your life.