Songs from the Big Chair [Gold CD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Considering that Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, the English duo known as Tears for Fears, were avid followers of Arthur Janov, father of the primal scream form of mental therapy, it wasn't surprising that one of their biggest hits was titled "Shout." What was surprising was how the two managed to take all their deep-rooted inner turmoil and make such positively buoyant music. Case in point: their other Songs from the Big Chair-spawned No. 1 hit, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," was a meditation on the struggle for power within interpersonal relationships as a metaphor for global supremacy--which, thank God, had a good beat so you could at least dance to it. This gold version of the title offers superior sound quality for a higher price than the standard-issue CD. --Billy Altman

Songs from the Big Chair
Average customer rating:

This is what its really about

Amazon sent me this title with a big scratch on it !

the best music ever

Fantastic album

Tears for Fears is my favorite band

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Elemental

ASIN: B00000JR29
Release Date: 2001-03-13

Tracks:

Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels/Broken (Live)
Listen
The Big Chair
Empire Building
The Marauders
Broken Revisited
The Conflict
Mothers Talk (U.S. Remix)
Shout (U.S. Remix)

Album Description

Digitally remastered reissue of the hit English new wave/ pop duo's huge second album, 1985's quadruple-platinum 'Songs From The Big Chair', which topped the charts for five consecutive weeks when originally released. Features the #1 smashes 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' & 'Shout', plus the #3 'Head Over Heels' and the top 30 'Mothers Talk'. Also features seven bonus tracks, U.S. remixes of 'Mothers Talk' & 'Shout', along with the B-sides 'The Big Chair', 'Empire Building', 'The Marauders', 'Broken Revisited' and 'The Conflict'. 15 tracks total. 1999 release.

Album Details

Remastered Reissue with Seven Bonus Tracks. CD Booklet Contains Extensive Liner Notes and Rare Photos.

Customer Reviews:

This is what its really about.......2007-05-02

the music and seriously. this is a cd that can easily be listened to numerous times. The songs are all brought out with such flare and the vocals are done excellent, songwriting is on point as well. Just everything about each of the tracks. You feel what Tears for Fears were trying and succedded in doing making a throughly great record from start to finish. I know many folks have heard "Shout" if they havent well its really something that has to be appreciated first hand. It is long but you dont even notice that. You just find your self all into the song from beginning to end. Another one that i really enjoyed is "The Working Hour" it doesnt have to do to much, it just brings out another side of the group that you didnt know. "Everybody Wants...." another smash off of this very successful 2nd cd, it takes you from the start of the song and doesnt let go until the song is over. At that point your ready to repeat it again and even when its done. The song is still playing in your head which to me is the sign of a good song.

Other favs of mine on the cd "Head over Heels", "Listen" and "I Believe". Also of note the remix for Shout is almost 2 minutes longer than the original version and makes the song that much better as well. As if that would even be possible. Also enjoyed "Mothers Talk" remix as well brings the song into a different light. I didnt however care for the other bonus tracks 9 through 13, something just felt seriously off with those songs. But that aside this cd still gets a 5 star rating from me..why? It does what most artists can't do bring you very quality music at no comprise to the artist making it in this case Tears for Fears. You guys own!!

Amazon sent me this title with a big scratch on it !.......2007-02-19

Thats right. Amazon sent me this CD, and it had a HUGH BIG
scratch on the cover. Shameful. Didnt the person who put this
cd in the box notice it ? I cant believe they sent me this CD like this.
Maybee in the future you should look at the condition of the stuff
when you send it to me !

Anyway, on to CD itself. SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR BY TEARS FOR FEARS.
This album contains their three big hits. EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE
WORLD, SHOUT, AND HEAD OVER HEELS. Those three are the ones that made this
group a household name. THE WORKING HOUR is a great song. Very emotional.
I also liked MOTHERS TALK and BROKEN. Both those songs are rockers.
I BELIEVE is a nice ballad. LISTEN is above average. 8 songs on this
album, plus additional bonus songs. Among the bonus tracks, THE MAURADERS
is a catchy tune, the remix' of SHOUT and BROKEN are cool. THE BIG CHAIR
is a waste. Its just noise and a bunch of sounds.
This is a great album, Very enjoyable. If you are a Tears For Fears
die hard fan or a new fan, buy this. It has their three biggest hits.
AND AMAZON, DONT SEND ME CD'S WITH BIG SCRATCHES ON THEM. IF SOMETHING HAS
A BIG SCRATCH, GET ME A CD THAT DOESNT !

the best music ever.......2007-01-27

tears for fears is my favorite pop music ever, i love every one of their songs, pharoahs is a great song too which was not on here, i highly urge anyone to listen to this album. their music is just so perfect to my ears. keep up the good work guys.

Fantastic album.......2007-01-21

Although it came out in the mid 80's this album still sounds fresh, not that music from the 80's is bad, but not all of it stands the test of time. I recently got a copy of this remastered /bonus tracks version of Big Chair. It was worth every penny, to get a few more songs from them. I have played this album sooooo much over the years and I still never tire of it. I don't hear much of a difference from the previous CD in the sound quality, but it sounds great. This is really great music from the lyrics to the production to the performance. I saw them years ago and they sounded as good as the album. Tears For Fears made some great music both before and after this album, but it was with this one that all the ideas really came together. I really don't believe it is possible for someone to NOT like something on this album. Check out the first album "The Hurting" a bit different, but really good also.

Tears for Fears is my favorite band.......2007-01-21

This completes the circle of my teenage years of development. Get this with The Hurting and you are all set.

Chronicles: The Hurting/Songs from the Big Chair/The Seeds of Love

Average customer rating:

Great Synth-Pop Set- Terrible Packaging

Chronicles: The Hurting/Songs from the Big Chair/The Seeds of Love
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009S2TUC
Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

The Hurting
Mad World
Pale Shelter
Ideas As Opiates
Memories Fade
Suffer The Children
Watch Me Bleed
Change
The Prisoner
Start Of The Breakdown
Pale Shelter
The Way You Are
Mad World
Change

Tracks:

Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)
Broken
Head Over Heels / Broken
Listen
The Big Chair
Empire Building
The Marauders
Broken Revisited
The Conflict
Mothers Talk
Shout

Tracks:

Woman In Chains
Bad Man's Song
Sowing The Seeds Of Love
Advice For The Young And Heart
Standing On The Corner Of The Third World
Swords And Knife
Year Of The Knife
Famous Last Words
Tears Roll Down
Always In The Past
Music For Tables
Johnny Panic And The Bible Of Dreams

Album Description

The "Chronicles" box sets are specially selected original albums presented in a book-style long box. Each album was selected to symbolize a classic period for the artist. Each disc includes original CD booklet.

Titles in this set include: "The Hurting," "Songs From The Big Chair," and "The Seeds Of Love".

Customer Reviews:

Great Synth-Pop Set- Terrible Packaging.......2005-08-17

The first three Tears For Fears albums are all quintessential 80's pop. That is to say, the singles are phenomenal, the album tracks have cool synth experimentation, but there are a few slow spots on each disc.

"The Hurting" is almost like a therapy session on record. Some of the lyrics may be a little too introspective, but the hooks more than make up for it. Mad World is an amazing song (follow it up with great cover version in "Donnie Darko") and Pale Shelter remains a sturdy single.

"Songs From the Big Chair" contains this group's biggest hits. Shout is almost like an ode to primal scream therapy, and Everybody Wants to Rule the World may be the best single of the entire decade. Head Over Heels turns out to be part of a pretty cool song suite. There is no filler on this album with the possible exception of track 8 (the instumental last track of the original album which just doesn't really seem to go anywhere).

"The Seeds of Love" start to drop the synth-pop vibe for more Beatles-like sounds and late 80's pop values (which these guys actually do quite well). The title track and Woman In Chains are the singles here, but my favorite is Standing On The Corner Of The Third World, featuring Manu Katche on drums and some really cool worldbeat sounds.

The packaging on this set is a bit of a problem. The CD's seem to have trouble holding in their spots, and I had to exchange this set because of strange warping on the second disc. My next copy still had a few strange warped marks on it, but at least it plays ok. Additionaly, while you do get the CD booklets, this set leaves out the back covers. This unfortunately makes putting these discs in normal CD cases less desirable, as well as robbing the owner of the back cover art. Still, this is a pretty cheap way of getting these albums remastered with bonus tracks (as separate purchases it would cost $45-60).

Average customer rating:

Tears for Fears at their best
Classic 80's Pop Art!!--Monster Debut!!
One of the most underate albums of all time
it still makes me dance
Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been

Songs From The Big Chair
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Seeds of Love
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ASIN: B000001FC0
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels/Broken (Live)
Listen

Amazon.com

Considering that Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, the English duo known as Tears for Fears, were avid followers of Arthur Janov, father of the Primal Scream form of mental therapy, it wasn't surprising that one of their biggest hits was titled "Shout." What was surprising was how the two managed to take all their deep-rooted inner turmoil and make such positively buoyant music. Case in point: their other Songs from the Big Chair-spawned, No. 1 hit, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," was a meditative contemplation of the struggle for power within interpersonal relationships as a metaphor for global supremacy--which, thank god, had a good beat so you could at least dance to it. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

Tears for Fears at their best.......2006-06-22

This review pertains to the original 1990 release, not to the remastered 2001 version with the extra tracks.

"Songs from The Big Chair" is Tears for Fears' (TFF) sophomore release and exhibits some of the group's best music. This CD gets deep into the matter that makes up TFF. From angst to love to a deep understanding of life and the things that make up life, "Big Chair" is a testament to the feelings we as human beings experience throughout our lives. Several different musical styles are exhibited, from pop synth to jazz, to rock, to ambient, and even pop/synth/classical with a little tint of operatic counterpoint in "Listen."

While many listeners concentrate on TFF's hit songs, listening to the music "within" the music brings to the surface many tonal colors and nuances that are clearly not evident in the radio-edit versions of these works. This extra music adds to the flavor of the moment and colors the songs in various shades of light and dark that serve to enhance the emotions stimulated therein. This is especially evident in the songs "Shout," "The Working Hour," "I Believe," "Head Over Heels" and "Listen."

"Songs from The Big Chair" is considered by many to be the album that most defines TFF's music. It is both open and expressive, exhibitionist and extroverted, while at the same time personal and introspective. While other artists have successfully exploited these feelings in their music, Tears for Fears does it in a way that uniquely defines them.

Classic 80's Pop Art!!--Monster Debut!!.......2006-01-04

When I listen to this album, I am taken back to the days
of "Miami Vice", "Friday Night Videos", "Wiseguy" and
other 80's pop identifiers that make me wax nostalgic!
This album was everywhere in 1985!
"Shout", "Head Over Heels" and "Everybody Wants To Rule The World"
still stand the test of time almost 22 yrs later!
It sold like 11 million worldwide to date..
so one can't go wrong here!

One of the most underate albums of all time.......2005-12-02

"Songs from the Big Chair" is a great album. Period.

Songs like "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" made it big, but the entire album from beginning to end hooks you and doesn't let go. There's a mystical, haunting thread that runs through the entire thing. "I Believe" is one of the most beautiful songs every produced. While that tune is a world away from the harsh "Mother's Talk" there's still that same haunting background melody going just bellow the surface in both songs.

I could say more, but I think everyone should buy this album, so you can listen for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

it still makes me dance.......2005-11-08

I know a lot of folks like to dismiss music from the 80s but my God in heaven, "Shout" still makes me dance even twenty years later. I've seen them three times, own every record/cd plus both the concert tapings on vhs and they single-handedly got me through a very difficult time in my life. If "The Seeds of Love" was the master that came to be, it was brought to life by "Songs From the Big Chair."

Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been.......2005-04-29

"Songs From the Big Chair" was the first CD I ever bought, which I did about four months before I actually had a CD player (stockpiling for new technology is a dominant gene). But this was one of the first really hot CDs and it was where I got my infamous "three song rule." This rule states: If you are interested in an album by a new group all you need to justify the purchase is for the album to have three solid songs you would like to have. This one offered up "Shout," "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" and "Head Over Heels." The first two made it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and last one topped off at #3. Of course the album went to the top of the charts as well, but more importantly there are other interesting tracks on the album besides the big three. "Heads Over Heels" is actually part of a suite with "Broken," and both "The Working Hour" and "Listen" are above average.

This edition offers up extended mixes of "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" as bonus tracks, but they are hardly necessary to justify having this album in your music collection. I still listen to "Songs From the Big Chair" about once a month and there is always a touch of regret that Tears for Fears self-destructed. The group produced a rather unique blend of synth-pop that made it stand out from most of what was going on in 1985 and the lyrics would have made for nice essay questions on a psychoanalysis exam:

They gave you life
And in return you gave them hell
As cold as ice
I hope we live to tell the tale

Who would have thought that Arthur Janov's primal scream theory would result in deep lyrics? But then the group's name comes from that same source and the whole idea was much more in evidence on their debut album "Hurting" ("Mad World" from that album is reworked to great effect by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules at the end of the cult film "Donnie Darko," which also used "Head Over Heels" to make Tears for Fears the official group of the film). Such ideas are still in evidence on this album, but if "Hurting" is about emotional pain then "Songs From the Big Chair" is moving on to the healing process. This is not exactly a concept album, but the songs do fit together in a way that suggests a definite sense of direction. But then when they start singing about four leaf clovers and do a techno-rap song like "Mother's Talk" you are just going to lose people who are going to go back to the melodies and not bother to figure out the words and dive for deeper meanings.

Looking at the writing credits on these songs you would have said Tears for Fears was clearly Roland Orzabal's group, but by the time Curt Smith bolted they had produced only one more album in three years which had one decent song on it. So Tears of Fears does not exactly come under the heading of a One Hit Wonder, but they certainly only had the solid really great album. However, unlike other groups you might point to in similar circumstances from this same time period (e.g., A-Ha, Mr. Mister), this was the group I really thought had the musical talent to build on. In retrospect, I think it is clear that they did have the talent and Tears for Fears is arguably the most memorable "lost" group of that period.

Average customer rating:

SONGS FROM THE DELUXE CHAIR!
unnecessary and overpriced
TEARS FOR FEARS MUST REUNITE!!!!
A Lot of Songs from the Big Chair.
Songs from the Big Chair - Enhanced

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Island / Mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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The Hurting [UK Bonus Tracks]
Secret World
Eric Clapton
The Seeds of Love
Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

ASIN: B000F8DT4Q
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Tracks:

Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels/Broken (Live)
Listen
The Working Hour (Piano Version)
The Marauders
Empire Building
The Big Chair
Pharaohs
When In Love With A Blind Man
Sea Song
Broken Revisited

Tracks:

The Way You Are
Mothers Talk
Shout
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Head Over Heels (Remix)
I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)
Mothers Talk (US Remix)
Shout (US Remix)
Shout (US Dub Version)
Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Urban Mix)
Mothers Talk (Beat Of The Drum Mix)
Broken/Head Over Heels/Broken (Preacher Mix)

Customer Reviews:

SONGS FROM THE DELUXE CHAIR!.......2006-10-27

I have written a good review before on tears for fears: best of remixes in 2003. i thought the japan release was cool.

with the 2006 deluxe edition, this great album becomes greater, with additional tracks ranging from the mundane yet fantastic b-sides, to the hard-to-find 12" remixes and dub versions.

while i can categorically say that the 1999 uk release (with bonus tracks) actually sound better than this release, this is an essential to any tff fan.

if you have collected (like me) the their first three "expanded and digitially remastered editions" released in 1999 with bonus tracks, plus the b-side compilation "saturnine, martial and lunatic" plus the japan release "best of remixes" you will still miss a lot if you dont buy this deluxe reissue such as "shout dub version" "head over heels preacher mix" "working hour piano version" and "mothers talk single version" - all available for the first time in this disc.

furthermore, this digitally enhance the "beat of the drum mix" of mothers talk originally released only in japan. the digital remastering brought out the strings and effects all put into the 9-minute remix of the classic tff track!

a big bonus is the packaging of the reissue, plus the wealth of information included in the sleeves.

the minus point would be the exclusion of the uk remixes of shout and everybody wants.. and the single version of "everybody wants to RUN the world."

like they said, you just cant have them all!

with the release of the deluxe edition of songs from the big chair, i cant help reminisce my teenage years when this album was so popular. however, i believe this album is still is...

happy listening!

unnecessary and overpriced.......2006-10-06

The original album- 8 songs- is a five star album. I can listen to it straight through without any problem. I also don't mind the remastered edition that came out a few years ago that expanded this to 15 tracks. It has most of the same bsides/bonus tracks found here- but you can get it for half the price of this. So what do you get for the extra $15 here? 12 remixes. Big deal. I don't need to hear 4 versions of Shout in one sitting. Do yourself a favor and get the single disc of this for half the price, OR get Chonicles instead: It has the same 15 track remastered and expanded version of this album PLUS you get the expanded and remastered Hurting and Sowing the Seeds of Love CDS- 26 other (great) songs instead of 12 (boring) remixes. That's 3 expanded remastered CDs for the same price as this bloated mess.

TEARS FOR FEARS MUST REUNITE!!!!.......2006-08-19

We all know how great this album was when it came out plus we all know the lyrics of every song in this. Everyone Wants to Rule the World, a very big anthem of the 80's, is just as pertinent today as it was 20 years ago, if not more. Just look at our President. My favorite song is Where you Are, a very reggae type piece that you want to hear over and over. That just makes you want to get your old Bambu and start partying once again. But since we're much older and know better, have a margarita instead and just keep cool with this awful summer heat as you listen to the wonderful voices and tunes of this once very popular duo. Ah, good memories!!! Guys, you need to come back with a vengeance and a new album. Everyone else has with quite a bit of success. The music public needs and loves you.

A Lot of Songs from the Big Chair........2006-07-27

Without a doubt Tears For Fears are a great 80's band and actually one of the 80's greatest bands. Songs from the Big Chair is (supposedly) their best album. So that must be the reason why the Deluxe Edition was released. Most of Tears For Fears best and most memorable songs are all here. Such songs like the classic trademark 'Shout' as the album's first track, the brilliantly contructed 'The Working Hour', the excellent written 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' which is TFF's best song in my opinion, the very catchy 'Mothers Talk', 'Broken' and the superb 80's classic 'Head Over Heels' which is surprisingly recorded live while finishing with the end of 'Broken'. These particular songs are what stand out for me on this album. Ever since I got this Deluxe Edition album, I have been unable to stop listening to it. The songs are just so catchy, so rythmic, they sound great and they still live up to todays standards.
But............ there are just too many repeated, remixed and extended songs on this 2 disc Deluxe Edition album that seems to weigh down the already great tracks on the first CD. However, some and only some of the extended tracks on this album are an actual improvement. They still sound good but overall, the songs DO clash with each other and it all sounds a bit too repetative.

Still, this is a great 80's album with great songs and it won't be long before you get sick of this album from listening to it way too much.

Songs from the Big Chair - Enhanced.......2006-07-12

Songs from the Big Chair, the original version, is comparable to the Beatles Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. However, the enhanced version of Songs from the Big Chair, just gave the artist something to do to re-release a great great CD. My advise is to buy the original release and forget the trashed disco-ed. hip-hoped inventions of their MASTER PIECE- Songs From the Big Chair.

Average customer rating:

Tears for Fears at their best
Classic 80's Pop Art!!--Monster Debut!!
One of the most underate albums of all time
it still makes me dance
Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Seeds of Love
The Hurting
The Hurting [UK Bonus Tracks]
Elemental
Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

ASIN: B000009SFR
Release Date: 1998-08-18

Tracks:

Shout
The Working Hour
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head Over Heels/Broken (Live)
Listen
Shout (Extended Mix)
Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Extended Mix)

Amazon.com

Considering that Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, the English duo known as Tears for Fears, were avid followers of Arthur Janov, father of the primal scream form of mental therapy, it wasn't surprising that one of their biggest hits was titled "Shout." What was surprising was how the two managed to take all their deep-rooted inner turmoil and make such positively buoyant music. Case in point: their other Songs from the Big Chair-spawned No. 1 hit, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," was a meditation on the struggle for power within interpersonal relationships as a metaphor for global supremacy--which, thank God, had a good beat so you could at least dance to it. This gold version of the title offers superior sound quality for a higher price than the standard-issue CD. --Billy Altman

Customer Reviews:

Tears for Fears at their best.......2006-06-22

Classic 80's Pop Art!!--Monster Debut!!.......2006-01-04

One of the most underate albums of all time.......2005-12-02

it still makes me dance.......2005-11-08

Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been.......2005-04-29

Average customer rating:

Another Disappointing 'Deluxe Edition' Release From Universal
Import is better
Tears For Fears best effort...

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Secret World

ASIN: B000A2H9CK
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Tracks:

Shout
Working Hour
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head over Heels/Broken [Live]
Listen
Shout [Extended Mix][*]
Everybody Wants to Rule the World [Extended Mix][*]

Album Details

2005 Digitally Remastered from the Original Master Tapes.includes A Second Disc of 14 Period Rarities. The 24 Page Booklet also Contains Some Highly Informative Sleevenotes Including an Interview with Roland and Curt Written by Uncut Editor Paul Lester.

Customer Reviews:

Another Disappointing 'Deluxe Edition' Release From Universal.......2006-10-07

Vincent Marino is right. The 1999 remaster sounds brighter than this 2006 remaster. One would think it would be the other way around, right? Not in this case. While the sound quality isn't necessarily bad it simply isn't that good in comparison to the 1999 remaster and the 2003 3-CD 'The Ultimate Collection' release (which was 32-bit mastered). The release claims to use the "original master tapes". Such could very well be the case, but the audio sounds quite flat. It doesn't have the depth heard in those previous masters. I suppose this is the result of the mastering engineer - Gary Moore @ Universal Mastering, London. Universal should have given this release to those wonderful folks at Studio Jules Hilversum, Netherlands (2003 'Ultimate Collection) or Jon Astley and Chris Hughes ('99 remaster).

The remastering isn't my only complaint, however. The tracklisting had the opportunity to be so much better. Like other 'Deluxe Edition' compilations this one is missing several rare gems. Where is the original UK 12" version of "Shout"? Again, we get the same old U.S. Remix, which can be found on numerous compilations. Where's the 12" version of "Everybody Wants To Rule The World"? We do, however, get the "Urban Remix" of this track. Where's "Everybody Wants To RUN The World"? It would have fit nicely on this release. There's room for these tracks!

On a positive note, we do get 7" versions of "Shout" and "Head Over Heels." The 7" version of "Shout" is simply the UK 7" edit, which clocks in at 4:43 but is incorrectly labeled as 4:03 on the back sleeve (which happens to be the playing time of the US 7" edit, not present here). The 7" version of "Head Over Heels" gives the listener to hear the track by itself, not combined with "Broken (Live)" on the album. I can't tell the difference between the 7" version of "Rule The World" and the album version. I'm not sure why it was included. It should have been replaced with the 12" version! "The Way You Are (7" version)" should have been placed at the end of disc one, making room for these missing mixes and tracks on disc two.

The only thing that merits a 4-star rating for this release is the packaging and booklet. I'm very pleased with the photos and overall glossy look of this 'Deluxe Edition'. The liner notes are a plus as well. The tracklisting on the back sleeve, however, is quite sloppy with incorrect playing times and some tracks without any listed times! Overall, it's still nicely presented.

I would have probably given this release a 4-star rating if the sound quality was excellent. At least I could have enjoyed the "rarities" on disc 2 more, but now Universal has left me wanting more from the recordings. I guess I'll have to go back to my 1999 remaster and 2003 'Ultimate Collection' release to hear some of these Tears For Fears gems in better quality. Perhaps a 30th anniversary release will be bring us more?

Import is better.......2006-06-17

While this deluxe reissue has a lot of rarities on the second disc, the actual album doesn't sound all that great. The 1999 UK remaster with bonus tracks sounds much brighter.

Tears For Fears best effort..........2006-06-05

I've loved this album for years. Wore my vinyl copies and all the singles and 12"s 'till the grooves turned white. Not sure why this deluxe edition hasn't come stateside yet. The DVD that's been released along side it is here. Anyhow, the original LP is here in all its sonic glory, plus the wonderful B-sides and 12" mixes I hunted for months after the LP hit the top ten. They always manage to sneak a few things in that I missed the first time around. The Working Hour (piano version) I'd never seen on anything as well as Broken Revisited. One oddity I must point out to completists is that the Mother's Talk (US Remix) is the alternate version of that version, not the more popular single mix which features more sax solos within it. I've seen this one pop up once before and I don't know why they keep including it since the other one is a much more 'finished' version of the remix. Oh well, It's all there to peruse for posterity's sake now...
Glad it's gotten this treatment at last...

Average customer rating:

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008G43U
Release Date: 1999-08-03

Tracks:

Shout
Working Hour
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head over Heals/Broken [Live]
Listen
Big Chair [*][Mix]
Empire Building [*][Mix]
Marauders [*][Mix]
Broken Revisted [*][Mix]
Conflict [*][Mix]
Mothers Talk [Bonus Beats][*]
Shout [Bonus Beats][*]

Average customer rating:

Great album, awful service
Really cool!!
A must for any lover of really good music

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears for Fears
Manufacturer: Msi/Pgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000J7LB
Release Date: 1999-06-01

Customer Reviews:

Great album, awful service.......2004-07-19

Of course this is a great album. When I saw the "Remastered with bonus tracks" version of this album, I clicked to find out what the bonus tracks were.

Of course, there's no track listing.

Way to go, Amazon.
More reasons why I am so disappointed that you bought out CDNow and trashed their far superior site.

Really cool!!.......1999-09-30

I have a copy of the original release. It's a masterpiece.

When I got the new remastered copy, I gave away my old copy.

Need I say more?

And yes, the bonus tracks are great!

A must for any lover of really good music.......1999-07-26

I finally got my copy of the remastered Songs from the Big Chair! I love the sound it gives when I listen to it through my earphones. Songs like The Working Hour, I Believe, Listen...the details are displayed at their best. I really see the difference. And I loved to hear those Mothers Talk, Shout and Broken versions I had never heard before. But, in my opinion, the Songs from the Big Chair album was already perfect as it was, it's always been my favourite!

Average customer rating:

Songs from the Big Chair

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000AA7BNO
Release Date: 2005-09-27

Album Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing of the 1985 album. If The Hurting was mental anguish, Songs From the Big Chair marks the progression towards emotional healing, a particularly bold sort of catharsis culled from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith's shared attraction to primal scream therapy. The album also heralded a dramatic maturation in the band's music, away from the synth-pop brand with which it was (unjustly) seared following the debut, and towards a complex, enveloping pop sophistication. The songwriting of Orzabal, Smith, and keyboardist Ian Stanley took a huge leap forward, drawing on reserves of palpable emotion and lovely, protracted melodies that draw just as much on soul and R&B music as they do on immediate pop hooks. The album could almost be called pseudo-conceptual, as each song holds its place and each is integral to the overall tapestry, a single-minded resolve that is easy to overlook when an album is as commercially successful as Songs From the Big Chair. Includes 7 exclusive bonus tracks TBA. Mercury. 2005.

Average customer rating:

Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been

Songs from the Big Chair
Tears For Fears
Manufacturer: mercury
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Dance Pop | Compilations | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000DENUL
Release Date: 2000-12-19

Tracks:

Shout
Working Hour
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Mothers Talk
I Believe
Broken
Head over Heals/Broken [Live]
Listen
Big Chair [*][Mix]
Empire Building [*][Mix]
Marauders [*][Mix]
Broken Revisted [*][Mix]
Conflict [*][Mix]
Mothers Talk [Bonus Beats][*]
Shout [Bonus Beats][*]

Customer Reviews:

Tears for Fears reminds us of what could have been.......2005-09-20

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If Ever You Were Mine [Import]

I Left My Heart in Texas

Expand Your Head [Explicit Lyrics]

En Puro Boleros

Fragile [Import]

Focus III [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Experience [Import]

Dvorak: Piano Trios

First Encounter [Live]

Four for Trane [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]

Hacia el Milenio Con 21 Exitos

Seized by the Power of a Great Affection

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