Reviews (page 9 of 16)
Of course I love Shout and Everybody Wants To Rule The World from radio play and various covers. The songs Broken and Head Over Heels caught my attention as well. I'd probably give the album a 3/5. Some standout songs and a few that I don't really love
Fun!
Nice and short compared to a lot of the other albums. 40 minutes is really the perfect amount for an album.
310/1001 Qué de tiempo sin escuchar a esta gente! 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
About as good an 80s pop-rock album you can get. Three massive hits, plus several other good songs. "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" is one of the best pop-rock songs of the 80s (including a bizarre but mesmerizing video).
Mostly good ish.
Hits only at the hits.
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.
There are some bangers…but also some flops, so I’d call this average
They have 3 good songs
It got 5 shouts out of 5
Really good album. Standout songs: Broken, Head over heels I believe
Great album. Head over heels is my favourite track.
Rätt bra!
Surprised at how this hold up
Solklar 5a! Ett av 80-talets bästa band utan tvekan! Kompositionerna är fantastiska, produktionen är fantastisk, sången och musikaliteten överlag är topp!
Two hours later and I can’t remember a single song.
As an 80's kid, I was (and still am) into Husker Du, The Replacements, REM, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Smiths, etc. This album was "meh" to me then, and still is today. Elevator music.
Man, I don't care for this. I get why it was popular, but I find it silly. It's very 80s, but not in the fun new wave way that I like. Too poppy/cheesy.
“Songs from the big chair” is an essential 80’s synth pop / rock album and is an absolute must listen for its brilliant production, amazing songs & musical performances. The album kicks off with the brilliant “Shout”, a chilling track with an immense build up and quality vocals. This transitions into “The working hour” an excellent jazz inspired track which evokes the same kind of feeling as “Shout”. This track also feels intense and I really like the lyrics on this one. Vocals once again are great. Following this is the iconic “Everybody wants to rule the world” which caps off an insane 3 track run to start the album. Not much needs to be said about this one - it’s one of the best and most iconic songs of the 80’s. “Mother’s talk” has a great energy, the drums sound amazing and a catchy melody. “I believe” in comparison is much slower, with more contained instrumentation and beautiful vocals. “Broken” is a great showcase of musicianship in a mostly instrumental track which is great to listen to. This directly pairs with the next track “Head over heels” I could talk about this one for hours. It’s a perfectly crafted piece of music and one of the best songs of the 80’s. A masterpiece is musicianship with great pop sensibilities. It borrows one of the guitar parts from “Broken” in its intro. Paired with beautiful keyboard work, heavy reverb on the drums, great synth lead in the interlude, great vocals and a chanting outro, which also borrows the lyrics from “Broken”. This song just sounds absolutely massive. Perfectly crafted. “Listen” ends the album on a slow & extremely atmospheric note with chant-like vocals. This album is one of the best produced albums ever. The actual sound of everything here is so great. There is some amazing performances on a variety of fronts - sax, guitar, drums, vocals, keyboard, synths & bass all sound brilliant. Some of the lyrics on these songs are extremely emotional & poetic. This album is an absolute essential for 80’s synth pop. At least 3 of the best rock / pop songs of the decade appear here, and the rest of the tracks are great too. There isn’t much I can fault this album for, the last track doesn’t hit as much for me but I still think it’s great. This is an absolutely essential listen. 5/5.
Head over heels is a banger
Thank god first album is good 👍🏻😊
4 out of 5. Not their best album but certainly has some of their best songs.
Few albums capture the grandeur of 80s pop like Songs from the Big Chair. It’s a perfect fusion of emotional depth, studio polish, and ambitious songwriting, proving that mainstream music could still be intelligent and deeply affecting. The album bursts out of the gate with Shout, a towering anthem that layers Roland Orzabal’s commanding vocals over pounding drums and thick, textured synths, turning catharsis into a stadium-sized experience. Everybody Wants to Rule the World is just as massive, balancing its shimmering guitars and infectious groove with lyrics that cut deeper than your average pop hit. Even the more introspective moments, like the haunting Listen or the sprawling The Working Hour, are drenched in atmosphere and carried by some of the most sophisticated production of the era. What makes Songs from the Big Chair truly special is how it seamlessly blends complexity with accessibility. Tracks like Head Over Heels and Mothers Talk are packed with intricate arrangements, but they never lose their immediacy, proving that pop music can be layered, dynamic, and still completely addictive. The band took the darker, more cerebral themes of their debut and amplified them with a newfound confidence, resulting in an album that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. There’s no filler here—every track serves a purpose, every sound feels meticulously placed, and the production is flawless without ever feeling cold or sterile. Songs from the Big Chair isn’t just one of the best albums of the 80s; it’s a timeless masterpiece of pop craftsmanship, balancing innovation, emotion, and sheer sonic power.
# Album Name: Songs from the big chair # Artist: Tears for Fears # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: WHAT AN INTRO - shout. Great song. If anyone says they dont sing a long to that then they are lying to ya! The sax on working hours is so 80s. Its great. EBWTRTW - great track. Nuff said. I personally liked mothers talk. Head over heels - yet another banger. The transition is good. Overall, a very good album. Doesnt quite hit the 5 mark for me on first listen.But over time it got there. I didnt think id come back to it but it drew me back in. Great listen. # Top Tunes: Shoutd / Mothers talk / HoH / EBWTRTW # Would I listen to it again? Yes
Nice 80s
My husband would leave me if I didn't give this 5 stars. Fortunately, we agree on this album.
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.
So good, I had thought for a while I wouldn't be all into the sort of pop rock/synthpop mix but I couldn't be more wrong, TFF knew how to craft an excellent pop song but even more an immaculately produced pop song that just didn't leave your attention for a minute, even the songs I wasn't crazy about I still had my full attention on the album because they are THAT entertaining and THAT catchy. I know everyone always talks about "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and it's great but Head Over Heels will forever be my favorite, especially with how Broken plays off some of the song in a faster way just to set up the intro so perfectly. Just a great album of the era and it will be something I'll be coming back to
i fucking love 80s synth pop
Preemptive review - I love this album and it’s getting a 5 before I even listen to it. Actual review, this might be the best full synth-pop/new wave album of all time. Unbelievable song writing, arrangements, and mixing. Im really in awe of how they got the mix to sound how it does. The first four songs are incredibly strong. I believe is the first part of this album that starts to lose interest but I can’t deny it, for I am a Virgo too. The energy is immediately picked up by broken, which is a perfect intro into head over heels, the best song on the album. Listen is a perfect soundscape anti Cold War protest song album closer if one ever did exist. Im going to call Liam’s mom to talk about this album, my mom was more into INXS.
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.
Good: synths tasty, hits hit, good 80s Bad: some of the sins are long and kinda boring
You listen to enough New Wave, and you realize how Big Tent it really is. This is definitely closer to a Eurythmics then it is to an ABC, to its detriment for me. It definitely has three killer songs, but even so I wouldn't call it my favorite New Wave jam.
What's the big deal with this album? Yeah, it's decent, it has some hits that are good, but songs like Shout are awful, and the deep cuts are bores. So many better albums came from this era of synthpop, and before, so why does this album get all the new wave glory? The Fleetwood Mac of synthpop, in that aspect. It's good, but not the best.
I wish I had known about this album when I was into lying on the floor and going on a musical journey.
Very 80s. A handful of fun popular songs. Otherwise unremarkable
classic
Great album from the early 1980's. Some of the best tunes of the decade.
This is incredible. Obviously I knew Shout and EWTRTW prior to listening, but I was unfamiliar with how well crafted this album was as a piece of synthpop gold. For all the albums I’ve resigned to “not for me”, this album is absolutely 100% “for me.” On one hand it really encapsulates the 80s pop sound and has arguably been overplayed, but at the same time it didn’t sacrifice innovation or artistry for those hits. Thank you Big Chair for your contributions to this experience.
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.
That was pretty amazing. You have to look past the 80s production, but the songs are really enjoyable. The last track was a bit self indulgent but I’ll forgive it
Classic 80's record.
Normally synth-pop and Brit-pop turn me off, but these guys escape some of those limitations, like this 6 1/2 minute opener followed by another 6 1/2 (albeit boring) minute cut. Mothers Talk borderline electronica at times and gets quite noisy. They easily lose me (pop psychology blah), but when they bring in the electric rocky guitar (yay). Bold move, close with a near 7 minutes of wandering. Too bad they lose focus there.
A tricky one. I always felt that Tears for Fears were self-righteous, self-important, all the selfs. And they were severely humourless to boot. And for that reason I chose not to entertain their catalogue. However, every song permeated the airwaves, the culture, daily life. The fact that I still know almost every word and every tune means that I find it very difficult to judge whether I like the album or it’s just a part of me. Classic 3.5 I guess.
❤️❤️❤️ Another favorite from my stacks of vinyl.
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
I've always had negative prejudices towards this kind of 80s band. But in this list, I've listened to some albums that blew me away. So when I started this album, it was like, "Uhm... it's not that different to Violator, this will be great!". But no! This is utter crap, bland and extremely cheesy, lacking all the darkness that Depeche Mode could have. Also, the song writing is not good. If this was #1 in the billboards is for a reason: it sucks.
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.
funny how i listened to this album several years ago when i wasn't that much into older music and it didn't impress me much and now i listened to it again and OH MY GOD. The vibes are INSANE love this 10/10 tears for fears slay
Ci sta
Chiamatemi pazzo si ma pazzo per Gesù
https://youtu.be/bagAoB4o6Os?si=rnav6QOWZ-67g0h9
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
Plenty of great sounds and compositions to hear, though not all equally catchy, still really enjoyable
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.
Fun album of my youth! Remember how cutting edge it was back then, listening from a single speaker radios, while doing chores in the Barn.
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.
I will acknowledge that "Shout" is a great song, but outside of that, the album lacks bite. While the songwriting is generally good, this album sounds very much like an artifact of its era. Just not my cup of tea.
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.
The sound on this album is outstanding and it's got a reasonable number of hits!
Is this my favorite record from the 1980s? No, definitely not. Is this my favorite "eighties record"? Yes, 100%.
This was fine, but didn't leave much of an impression. I knew the 2 smash hits on this record already. Probably wouldn't play again but it was okay.
"Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is simply one of the best pop songs ever written. And still gut-punchingly prescient. (Oddly, the Wikipedia page for the song has omits any connection this song has to popcorn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1FMJdqqLiM ). The rest of the album is solid, and surprisingly not as laden with 80s over-production as I thought it might be. 80s, for sure. But in a good way.
Great stuff
I've never really been a big Tears for Fears person. Much in the same way that most 80's music has always been inherently off-putting to me for it's ridiculous production aesthetic and corny as hell sound that just hasn't, in my opinion, aged well and ruined what could've been a lot of great music for entire decade. I've never given them a look beyond their transcendent hits, two of which make it onto this record. But like many 80's albums on this list, I came away from this one feeling a sense of pleasant surprise. That's directed mostly at the idea that this is rocks a little harder than I thought it could or would. It's so easy to assume that these 80's bands were pure pop, when really they may have just been rock bands that fell victim to the trends of the day. Am I saying I loved this? Not at all. I thought it was perfectly fine as something to listen to while doing something else. But the fact that I found it any bit impressing is a win for this album and for me, because I assumed I wasn't going to like it at all. Three stars. Oh and it didn't overstay its welcome, unlike some other albums I've heard here. Seriously - 8 songs, 41 minutes and they said what they needed to say. What a concept. Standout Tracks: Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Broken
overrated. hate it.
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
A rare case where the 80s production is not a disastrous failure. The big singles are great, with “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” being one of the top 3 pop songs of the 80s. Also enjoyed deep cut “Mothers Talk”. I think I am finding that I just don’t like ballads (“I Believe” and “Listen”).
I cannot believe that this album has so much perfection crammed into such a short collection. This is the sound of the 80's and there's a reason why everyone knows and adores these songs. 5/5, not a single thing to dislike about this one.
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.
Probably the one, if not the most, definitive 80's albums of the decade. It has it all, great vocals, lyrics, new wave synth work, rock influences. Just a masterpiece of an album. 5/5
Shout Everybody Wants to Rule the World Head Over Heels
Rock pop influence for 90s. But for me a little insipid.
80s urgh
This has an atmospheric quality compared to other pop records from the same times. I never really listened to this album until now, I only knew Everybody Wants To Rule The World, but the whole record is amazing! Very interesting musical choices as well.
Production is pretty impressive. One of the tunes would’ve made great Michael Jackson tracks.
Un gran álbum, la música es precisa y fantásticamente apoyada por sintetizadores y tecnología muy estudiada y producida
yhhhh tears for fears!!!
I was familiar with a lot of songs from this album, and have long considered "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" as the quintessential 80s song. For a full listen though, I was blown away by what the group was able to accomplish. The mix of rock, pop, and synthesizers, complete with a variety of instruments and sounds, really came together to make such a signature sound. The hits definitely hit as well. Overall- I was very impressed. Probably around a 4.5/5, but I do feel like they put together a complete masterpiece that bumps them up to a 5
un 3 direi che ci sta
Some of the greatest music I've ever heard in my life. Something about Everybody Wants To Rule The World makes it the perfect song on every level. Shout & Head Over Heels shouldn't be discounted either. Great album, great iconic songs. Easily top five.
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.
Amazing
SHEEEEEEEEEESH
it was okay. loved 2 songs
Paar geweldige nummers, paar mindere, maar merendeel toch wel erg goed. Blinkt niet uit in originaliteit.
Not all popular albums from the '80s have aged well, but this one has. I had it on vinyl (remember that crippled, clunky medium that wore out as you played it) but I hadn't listened to the full album in ages. I'm, glad I did, all songs are really good and original despite the undeniable synthy '80s feel. I like the less popular songs as much as I like the hits.
the album that fooled a younger version of myself into thinking i liked new wave
Once a one hit wonder, Now an entry blunder 2 shouts you can do without out of 5
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.
The two-and-a-half singles are great; all-time classics. The album tracks are dreck; unlistenable garbage. Gets you three stars - smack in the middle of the bell curve.
Although I've never consciously listened to this album, I know many of these songs, and the ones I didn't know seemed to fit pretty consistently with the familiar ones. In short, it's what I expected, which isn't bad, but not something I'd listen to regularly.
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.
Definitely the upper echelon of synth pop. I'm not usually a fan of the stuff, but this is as enjoyable as it gets. Also, I can't be the only one for whom the Dennis Miller Show ruined Everybody Wants To Rule The World.
“Shout” c’est un peu trop rabâché comme chanson. Ca enchaine avec un solo de saxo comme on n’en fait plus et comme on n’aurait jamais du en faire. “Everybody wants to rule the world” fonctionne toujours, le petit air de “Listen” pourrait être sympa, mais pas répété en boucle pendant 7 minutes. Le reste est assez ringard et bof bof.
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
Possibly a 4, but my love for Everybody Wants to Rule the World pushes it over. An underappreciated aspect of the album is the smooth transitions between the songs. Didn't know TFF rocked like that. I knew the big 3 of Rule the World, Shout, and Head over Heals, but Working Hour is very underrated. People who hate cliche 80s will tune out, but TFF and this album are great in my humble opinion.
#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 Song added to playlist: Everybody Wants To Rule The World I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Absolute classic
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
• 5/5 • Bonus star for being a favorite of my formative years • excellent songs throughout., especially Shout, World, and Head
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.
I like shout and head over heels. Very 80s but solid
Very 80's but somehow still not a terrible listen
Apart from the hit singles "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", the rest of the album is meh!
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
Highs that are just so high. Its not a perfect album but it has too much goodness to not be a 5. Fave Tracks: Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Broken, Head Over Heels 4.5/5
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.
its ok
Really good album.
Lots of hits, short and doesn't overstay it's welcome album.
Pretty good, feels very 80's, nothing crazy though
Like most of the world, I’ve always been super familiar with Shout, Head Over Heels, and most importantly the classic Everybody Wants to Rule the World (for which my sister and I have a high score on the old karaoke video game SingStar, by the way) and loved those songs, but I’d never heard the rest and must say they definitely weren’t as good. Cool vibes throughout but also some of the sounds are a bit grating. I wish there were half stars because this is definitely not as low as a 3 but I can’t really give it a 4 overall, so consider this a 3.5 and I will be revisiting this album.
This was a groovin style, and I loved the main singer's voice. Not something that I'll be playing again though.
A crazy style, almost hypnotic. It reminds me of the music that plays when you’re on hold with the bank lol. Also vapourwave. Theres a cool range of moods they achieve using their sound.
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
3.5? Some bangers, some bland?
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.
This is #day169 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it's crazy to think about, but in just one month, this album is turning 40. Songs From The Big Chair isn’t just a quintessential example of mid-'80s progressive pop and new wave; it's also a case in point of a band evolving. Think about some of the greatest sophomore albums out there. This is where Tears For Fears spread their wings and went big with their sound. It's more than just big, though; there's something monumental, almost stadium-like about it. Then, the actuality... songs like "Shout", "The Working Hour", and especially "Everybody Wants to Rule The World" feel just as relevant today, if not more so. Finally, the melodies, the moods... it's the epitome of the era. At the same time, this album is out of time. How about another 5 out of 5 in a row? You bet. Looking forward to #day170.
An album filled with classics, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World is one of my all time favorites.
decent decent
💣💣💣💣💣 I rate this album 5/5 BOOMS! BOOM! 💪, BOOM! 💪, BOOM! 💪, BOOM! 💪, BOOM! 💪
Tears for Fears is a beautiful band. But needs a specific mood… At least for me
Hitspäckat album och visst fan är det bra. Men jag håller debuten The Hurting högre.
Very good!!
Synth-pop with some good guitar work mixed in. I'm familiar with many of the songs and I think the album is OK. Nothing extraordinary but I would still recommend it if someone asked me what I think of it.
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.
Clean, lightweight well-produced pop.
‘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.
The singles are good, didn’t expect the rest to be saxophone ballads.
1.8 I had a tough time getting through this. On a few songs, the instrumental layering didn't really go together and it felt disjointed.
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
Hits are bangers. The rest is dated.
Have been a big fan of Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, and Head Over Heels for years, but it was cool to see the context the songs appear in. Shout was one of my first music loves. It was on a tape my mom got me because I had memorized all of the snippets on the infomercial for an 80s compilation.
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
Do people need to hear an album that has some over the most average and over played singles from the '80s? Maybe. Do I? No. I heard it enough in the '80s and following decades.
very good
The true definition of a timeless classic. 40 years later, "Songs From The Big Chair" is a sure shot at the hearts of the general public.
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.
Shout // Everybody Wants To Rule The World // Head Over Heels //
First cassette tape I ever bought.
Juste pour l'instrumental break de Shout, l'album est un turbo banger
Not my album. Surprised at how many songs I already knew. Favorite song is Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Lots of saxophone.
LP
Classic record.
Enjoyable album overall, the production was quite unique and more rock oriented than records of the same period, which I liked, with outstanding singles like "everybody wants to rule the world", a classic. There was a certain unbalance between excellent songs, like the aforementioned and other tracks, making the album have a bit of filler material. In terms of 80's albums this one was enjoyable and a good listen overall. Favorite track: "everybody wants to rule the world". Overall score: 7.0/10
Cool! Creative! Imaginative! Daring!
Some great classics on there, but loads of waffle
An absolutely fantastic album. Something about the darker and more mature sound is incredibly appealing. Every song is captivating, and I appreciate that the longer runtimes are utilized in a way that let's instrumental breaks shine with fills and solos. So much more than a pop album, and one that should be held in high regard by other pop artists looking for a meaningful sound
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
Good album. Not a huge TFF fan, but when they sound more Depeche Mode, it's great.
Not my kind of vocals
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?
Can there be such a thing as too 80s and too much synth? This album proves that yes, yes there can.
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.
Oooh wow. This is one of my all time favorites. Beautiful and intricate eighties pop. Some of the greatest songs ever - Head Over Heels, The Working Hour, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Shout, Mothers Talk. This is just a perfect collection of perfect songs. I’m sure this sounded fresh in the eighties (I was born the year the album was released) and it sound just as fresh today. A great range of emotions and instrumentation. Powerful music that tugs at your heart strings but can also make you dance and even meditate. It even has great guitar solos! What more could you want. I listened to these songs so many times and it feels like there's still more beauty to discover in them. I just love everything here, the synths, the drum machine, the guitar, obviously the vocals. The songs dynamics are great, the lyrical topics are varied and introspective. It's just so good.
Definitely some big songs that were pretty good for their era and style. 2.5/5
There were a couple of decent songs buy otherwise not so good. 2.5
Still exciting in 2025. Catchy and soulful
The most quintessentially 80s album to ever do it. Some really beautiful moments on this but my god it can drag at times. Favourite Track: The Working Hour Least Fav Track: I Believe
Dwa hity, a potem smetna nuda, saksofonik w sluzbie windy. Ziew.
Thinking of Donnie Darko and Ferris Bueller
i liked it. didn't enjoy every song, but enough distinct sounds allowed me to feel like i'd return and keep giving it chances. rating may go from 3 to 4 upon further listens. favorites of course are EWTRTW and HOH/B
Really good. One of those albums that need to be listened to in one go.
80/100
Everybody wants to rule the world é uma das minhas músicas favoritas de todos os tempos.
Shout is a great song
This is great. Very 80:s, which I usually tend to not love, but the songwriting here is undeniable.
I still prefer the desperation and urgency of The Hurting over the polish and refinement of Songs. But this has aged remarkably well; especially for a big-budget synth based album released in '85.
Not my speed at all 2/5
The definition of 80's cheese. The highs are high, but the lows are awful and drag the rest of the record down. Favourite songs: Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World Least favourite songs: I Believe, The Working Man, Listen 3/5
This album has definitely won classic status
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 !
I mean, if you're going to have a TFF album on this thing, this is DEFINITELY the one to get. I have one or two friends who are DEEP into Tears For Fears, but I really only know the stuff on this album and one or two other songs. It's definitely an album I enjoyed. There's the three big songs on it, and "Head Over Heels" is probably my favorite of theirs (although "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" is a real close second). The only track I was not fond of was the last track. I kinda feel it was a bit of a letdown after "Head Over Heels / Broken". But apart from that, I like/love every other track on it. Some people may say the album is dated because of the 80s synths and such, but I think the production really moves it ahead and gives it more of a timeless feel. Classic album.
Another big new wave / synth-pop/rock band and album. Made me think a lot about Depeche Mode and Violator. Similar sultry baritone vocals that can go high too, but too great vocalists in Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Similar synth with some nice real guitar or bass mixed in (but a lot of synth bass and drum tracks). I think Depeche Mode's lyrics are slightly better, but these guys penned some very deep songs. Violator was a 4 for me and I don't know if this one should go higher. There are less spots where this album drags - they keep a better tempo from song to song. Especially as they crank out Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World at songs one and three - those are classics. Enthralling beats, great wordplay, awesome vocals. They set and keep such a big tone. The Working Hour (in between them) is okay but Mothers Talk at song four is very good. I see why it was the lead single - a little overly produced and goes on about a minute too long but still a rocking song. I Believe is a nice soaring ballad - slows the tempo but doesn't feel out of place. Broken, on either side of Head Over Heels, is a bit redundant. Didn't need the reprise and some of the best beats in the first part (the piano intro) are also on Head Over Heels. Still, the first part isn't bad electronica. Head Over Heels is almost every bit as good as the two big singles. Always loved that one as well. Listen, like I Believe, is another song that slows the tempo down again as the album closes. Another one that is just okay and probably goes on longer than it needs to. Not perfect, but no clunkers. Probably worthy of a 4.5. I'm going to round up for the mostly seamless ride that listening to it was.
Love this album! Long time fan. It was fun to put it on and listen closely again as part of the 1001. The songs are so varied yet all share great composition and production quality. Shout is an anthemic opening. Play it on 11. The Working Hour is a nice track - I hear Peter Gabriel influence, but maybe that's just me. Love the sax solo and TIL it's Mel Collins from King Crimson! Nice. Jerry Marotta was also involved in the track, so maybe that's part of the Gabriel perception I'm getting (Jerry was Gabriel's drummer on his first set of solo albums). Everybody Wants to Rule the World - classic track. Simple, yet brilliantly composed and arranged. Mothers Talk - great rocking track. I Believe - Mellow track apparently influenced by Robert Wyatt, but without Wyatt's weirdness (they also covered Wyatt's Sea Song around this time). Broken - fun track, but for me it's just a segue into my favorite track on the album: Head Over Heels. Man, that opening piano line. So good. The song is like riding a wave. Love the flanged drums on the transition to the "four-leaf clover" section. Love the la la section - so easy to get swept away singing along. For a good laugh, look up the "Head Over Heels Literal Video" on YouTube. I admit that the Literal Video lyrics live rent free in my head when I hear this song, but I still love it. Such a great song. Listen brings us to a nice mellow close. Brilliant, perfect album.
Can only describe as 80s pop in a bottle. Never been a huge fan of Shout but Everybody Wants to Rule the World is one of my favourites. Really enjoyed Head Over Heels / Broken and The Working Hour too. The rest didn't stand out too much to me personally, however it's a solid album nonetheless.
shout - sick beat good opener 5/10 the working hour - instrumentals go crazy 4/10 everybody wants to rule the world - good song 4/10 mothers talk - best song of the album 7/10 i believe - i really do believe 6/10 broken - alright 5/10 head over heals - ughh so good 8/10 listen - um 3/10
Almost perfect. The ultimate 80s album. One that has grown on me over the years rather than one I was drawn to immediately (The Smiths were everything in ‘85, but the more I hear this album the more I love it. Almost brings me to tears of joy and nostalgia every time.
Fun pop album that has better stand the test of time than other albums of the 80s
Quintessential 80s tracks. Enjoyed it. Liked some of their songs that I didn’t even know was theirs!
Feels like a view into the 80s. Has some classics I had heard, while also having some songs I was less familiar with. Good mix of vibes throughout.
Amazing album.
Malgré quelques chansons très accrocheuses avec de bons textes (« Shout », « Everybody Wants To Rules The World » et « Head Over Heels / Broken »), le reste de l’album vieillit mal et est trop sirupeux. Je ne pensais tout de même pas connaître certaines chansons aussi bien en voyant la pochette et le nom du groupe. Merci à la radio Rock Détente qui jouait durant ma jeunesse pour m’avoir donné cette culture générale assez large de la musique des années 80.
Frábær plata. Einstakt sound og eldist vel að mínu mati.
Fínasta eitís plata og TFF höfðu alltaf sitt ákveðna sánd. Smellirnir standa fyrir sínu og hin lögin bara fín. 3,5
I was excited to see this album show up today as it has some memorable songs that I am glad to listen to again. The other songs are also pretty good, though "Listen" may be a little long for my liking. Standout tracks: Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Head Over Heels
Classic
I suspect if I had listened to this a bunch of times it would have got on my nerves and my score would have gone down, but as a I've off it was a fun blast of nostalgia.
glad i gave this one a relisten
Better than i thought it would be, nice big trax. verrry 80s, second half not as good as first. Baaaangers: everybody wants to rule the world Good trax Shout The working hour mothers talk Meh trax head over heels broken i believe listen
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!!!
不好听
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.
Not my cup of tea, ali nije toliko ni loše. Ima par hitova koji su mi čak i ok, ima mi na trenutke prog elemenata, ali nije mi ovo sad nešto wow. Ali, bolje od prošla dva albuma Solidno 5/10
9/10 Bend kojeg sam kao klinac znao jedino po pjesmi Shout i uvijek se pitao kako to nije Depeche Mode. Tek prije nesto manje od 10 godina sam dozivio i njihovu Everybody Wants To Rule The World, koja mi je i danas jedna od najboljih stvari iz 80ih. Poslusao sam ju pozorno bezbroj puta, cuo live izvedbe, a i par modernijih artista koje volim ju znaju izvoditi tako da se ocjena vec popela prilicno visoko. Osim nje, svaka stvar mi je skroz sjela i nema smisla da ih nabrajam poimenice. Album mi je dosta ozbiljan za to razdoblje, a opet mi nisu pompozni brijači kao neki. Shout mi je zapravo mozda i najlosija, a zadnju, eksperimentalniju Listen bi izdvojio kao bas po mom ukusu. Odličan!
Better than I remembered
3 all timers on here, and they sound even better in album context then as singles. 80s synth music gets a bad rap and this is as good as it gets
Didn’t think I’d care but that was actually really good
SHOUT!
one of my moms favorite. love the songs i've heard from this album Everybody Wants to Rule the World is actually indisputably one the best songs ever. I don't even know if there's a point in saying that because its so obvious. peak 80s pop for sure
A couple duds brut really good
Classic 80s. Loved it
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
It was okay, Everybody wants to rule the world I feel is the only standout in this album, most other songs feel as if they blend together, listenable, but I wouldn't play it on my own accord.
A classic from my youth.
Ethereal and theatrical. There's a lot of energy and plenty of quintessential 80s sounds with this one, and also a couple of notable hits that have stood the test of time. This is a decent one.
The Good: anthemic album off an age gone by The Bad: that too many people confuse this with Synth-Pop The Ugly: or just plain’ ol’ po’ p’ Back in the day, like any teenager, I too enjoyed Everybody Wants To Rule The World, while Shout was a little beyond my taste at the time… Today, I wish I could go back in time and actually purchase the album and listen to it countless times, like I did to the more poppy contemporary artist such as Prince, Phil Collins, Duran Duran. Madonna, What and later George Michael. Tears For Fears are one of few acts that survived the ‘80s and when you listen to their “old” recordings now, you realize that how great the stuff is. It has held up wonderfully, even if it sounds like the ‘80s, it isn’t like listening to Spandau Ballet, or ABC, or Bronski Beat, or any true synth-pop from that era. 5* even if, technically speaking, it should get a 4 1/4
Brought back memories from the summer of 7th grade. I recall like Tears for Fears, but I found the album disappointing overall. The hits were nostalgic but not a style of music I generally favor anymore. Soon after 7th grade, I got into hard rock and heavy metal, developing a taste for drums and guitar over synth. I also listened to their first album, The Hurt, which I prefer, but both reminded me of Ross on Friends playing synthesizer.
Excellent. Chill, ethereal, undeniably 80s. Awesome instrumental and vocal work. 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World' is an easy pick for my fave, but this album was fantastic from start to finish!
Everybody Wants to Rule the World is one of "those" songs, that I have always heard and never known / bothered to learn the origin of. I am sure this album was impactful, but I don't like it much. Another very 80s album.
Couple hits, most is poop
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
Has some bangers but its not complete.
It was the best
Amazing and powerful album, the music is excellent, and the sound is so cool, they are a little angry about everything, and I am too, but not too rude... A classic plenty of hits...
Just some of the most polished music the 80s has to offer, somehow is both perfect and still has personality.
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.
Aside from the couple of hits, this album was disappointingly dull. Should have been a single.
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.
My opinion of Tears for Fears remains unchanged. They're pretty OK.
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.
Acceptable hits. Not my scene unless I’m watching an 80s movie.
Did't know all these bangers were on one album.. super experience overall
This album is unmistakably from the mid 80s with that characteristic brittle production, booming drums and overly bright keyboard stabs thrown in at random intervals. I found that I preferred the quieter tracks to the better known stadium friendly anthems like Shout and Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Highlight was probably The Working Hour which opens like something off the Vangelis Blade Runner soundtrack. Note to self - not to be confused with Simple Minds
Listening to the opening track, it seems that it would be hard to record something that smells more of the 80s than that. The production, the drums sound, the eerie guitars, the clichés synth lines, the additional saxophone because why not... Some songs, with less artifice, could actually be enjoyable post-punk tracks! I get why this appears in this list, it's highly representative of a given time in history, and it's not intrinsically bad, but as dad rock from the 70s needed punk, this kind of pop from the 80s needed grunge to get some fresh air.
weird to listen to this one in full being more familiar with their later work, which pivots more toward... rock opera type sounds. here they're at their most stripped down i've heard them & that's fine, it suits them better imo. the orchestration in their later records rob them of the simplicity that gives this particular record charm imo. that said, there's nothing in particular here that draws me in.
A really good album, I loved the songs Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Head Over Heels/Broken and Listen.
I remember waiting and waiting for this album to come out, hoping that the trajectory from their first two brilliant albums would continue. Alas it took them 3-4 years to over produce this disappointment, from which they never recovered.
Much filler but greatness too. 2.5 but we will round up.
The singles are so great. 3.5
I had not thought about this album in a long time, and I was a little excited to hear it again when it popped up. I was less excited when I was finished because, even though the big songs still resonate, I was surprised at how weak the fillers were. Back in the day I probably just fast forwarded from one of the hits to the next and skipped the fluff.
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
There are a few great singles and a couple of other great songs but it leaves me oddly removed from it and not engaged emotionally
норм. последняя песня вайбовая, напомнила М83
Big sound, deep emotion. It’s layered and precise. Somewhere between the drama of Kate Bush and the pulse of New Order. Every piece fits, but it still surprises you.
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.
Not my thing but solid enough
Fantastic. 5/5
Everybody wants to rule the Rule is excellent. Overall its a high 3 for the album.
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
I wasn‘t aware I knew so many Tears for Fears songs.
Quite simply one of the finest pop albums ever made
Wow, no idea this album had so many bangers 4/5
Uno de los discos más representativos de la mejor música de los 80. Tears for fears, sinónimo de calidad (y siguen publicando excelentes discos hoy en día) tocaron el cielo con este magistral álbum repleto de melodías geniales: Shout, Head over heels, Mothers talk, I believe o la inigualable Everybody wants to rule the world. Habían debutado con un estupendo disco (The hurting) y continuarían su racha con otro maravilloso álbum como es The seeds of love. Habría que esperar varias décadas para que publicaran un disco de este nivel (The tipping point) pero el más representativo y exitoso es este The big chair. Ya lo has escuchado cientos de veces, aunque tal vez no lo sepas... Otros discos del 85, el año del C85, Psychocandy, This is the sea, Low-life, Once upon a time, Brothers in arms, Hounds of love, Steve McQueen, Love not money, This nation´s saving grace, Fables of the reconstruction, Around the world in a day, Rain dogs, Meat is murder, Slave to the rithym, What Does Anything Mean? Basically , Rum, sodomy and the lash, Don´t stand my down y Picture book.
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
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Fantastic
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
Starting off with a banger, Shout is a ton of fun! Good sax music in The Working Hour. Everybody Wants To Rule The World is another great one. Dips a bit for the next few tracks, still solid though. Then the amazing Head Over Heels. Great album, love it! Best song: Head over Heels
Three stars because I’ve always been in Love with these two gentlemen, lol, but there are only 3 songs that I like. So 3
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.
Peak 80s
One of my all time favorite albums, and probably my favorite 80s album
I think this album is probably the last great peak of New Wave influence. It has such an awesome feel to it - not at all detracted by heavy MTV airplay - coupled with sick singalong lyrics. Personally, I think it’s an encapsulation of the grandeur of “the 80s”. I am too glad to see it on this list. I believe it’s a desert island disc for me.
Once again the authors favourite genre. Quite left field to even discover this. Bizarre.
First of the bunch (meaning, my 1001 albums listen through). I'm familiar with the band, even like some of their tracks, such as Shout. I got an overdose of them in the 80's, when Sky Trax and Music Television we're a thing. The album is the very essence of 80's pop, to my surprise it doesn't feel too dated today, it did feel very much so in the 90's. For me it was a boring album for the most part, the artsy slow bits especially. Some of the light jazzy bits were fine as well, basically I liked the tracks with big beats and groove, disliked the soft moody songs with too much empty space in them.
Solid but fairly forgettable apart from the two mega-hits.
5 Because it brought back memories of a time when we couldn't get enough of hearing this... Oops, I guess we still can't get enough ;-) It's so, so good <3
This album may have the most new-wavey vocals I've ever heard - it's that seamless switching between soft and smooth, and deep, towering cadences. I heard this album a while back, a couple of times because I liked the song 'Everybody Wants to Rule The World', but I don't remember many songs off of it. Re-listening to it now, I can see why. To me, it sounds like the type of album you'd thoroughly enjoy while listening, front-to-back, but the next day you'd struggle to remember a single song off of it. Relax that's just how I feel! I'll need to test that hypothesis again now, though I won't be able to update this review with the conclusion. Anyways what am I talking about? Oh yeah, this album. Nice, colorful, fluttery, well-produced, new-wavey power music that can very comfortably soundtrack a walk through a tropical beach. 'Shout' is the perfect, anthemic, and catchy opener this album needed; and while I usually dislike clean saxophone lines in '80s (white) music, the one on 'The Working Hour' managed to win me over. 'Head Over Heels/Broken' is another incredibly solid cut with one of the most earwormy choruses here. The synth lead and pads that open up the song 'Listen' are yet another incredible production moment here, the entire track is ethereal, sounding like you've stumbled upon this gorgeous bio-illuminated grotto in the middle of the jungle. It's got ambient elements like that. I tend to use the descriptor "clean production" with a negative connotation a lot of the time, but despite this album being the epitome of that descriptor, I'd say the shininess of the production only helps elevate its lush and scenic sound. The high quality of it all makes everything just pop. A great album with a great sound that captures its era beautifully, there's a reason this album's so revered in the new-wave world. Let's hope I remember how much I liked it come tomorrow night.
Unbeliveable! I knew Tears for Fears but never let them sink in before. I laid on the couch and really let this what works, but this literally wept while listening.
Phenomenal album of original music that transcends time and "popular" categorization. Insightful lyrics, wonderfully composed music, soulful vocals, and clean instrumentation underscore how great this album is.
Hadn't heard anything from this beyond the hits. The rest of the tracks are just as good to me. The "Broken" part of Head over Heels is great and a shame radios never play that part of the track.
3.5
Loved the mullets. Loved the vibes
Sexy and timeless