Tell me a story of mind over matter...

First here's a little peice written by Scott E. Stapleton about being a TFF fan, and Tears for Fears music in general.

"I wanted to talk about having pride in the music that is Tears For Fears.
I have heard people say that Tears For Fears died a long time ago. I sometimes wonder if they really know what they are saying. Tears For Fears is not dead!

Sure a lot of the bands that released an album at the same time that Roland released "Raoul and the Kings of Spain" have released a new album in that time frame - but Tears For Fears is not dead!
For one thing - Curt is still alive. He has a new band called Mayfield and one heck of a cool album.
Second, Roland and Alan are currently working on a new album that is suppose to be out sometime this year.
OK - sure we all know this and that's all wonderful and special. But, how long has it been since you've listened to one of your favorite Tears For Fears albums?
Seriously! I find that Tears For Fears is still a lot of fun listening to now, as they were when the different albums came out. At work, we have the Muzak system pumped into our establishment. Whenever I hear anything by Tears For Fears, Pet Shop Boys, or Depeche Mode at work - it is almost like receiving a warm hug from an old friend.
Tears For Fears is not dead because we, the fans, carry the music inside us. When we hear the TFF classics on the radio - we light up. I do anyway.
So I guess in these days where it's hard to be proud of things because others love to bash your opinions in a heartbeat - have pride in who you are. Have pride in the music that is Tears For Fears.
Remember, a lot of people don't know good music when they hear it. As Roland once said, the better your music gets - the smaller your audience gets.
Have pride in what you believe in. I know that being an artist, a musician, and a liberal minded thinker - it's hard for me to take pride in a lot of things that I truly enjoy. It's probably because that the place where I live, everyone is so conservative. Makes me sick at times.
Still - I don't have to sacrifice my love for music and who I am because it's not popular. None of us do! Take pride in who you are and in the music you listen to."

THE REVIEWS

"I prefer Famous Last Words, Shout, Seeds of Love and Humdrum And Humble. Because Roland is singing in very very good tune and a cool style."

Submitted by: Jeklien Quintana Email

FAMOUS LAST WORDS
Rating

"SIX stars for this song! I love it- the whole theme about 'all our love and all our pain will be but a tune...' and then 'and we will carry war no more'. It raises interesting points about how humans are in conflict. Plus it's a BEAUTIFUL song!!!

submitted by Krystal

THE HURTING
The Hurting: First song on the CD. Unfortunately, no official remix available. Great "off beat" drum patterns. "9"
Pale Shelter: One of the greatest songs ever written by R. Orzabal. Two 12" versions - both a "10"
Mad World: Again, at the beginning off beat drums. Great melody and refrain. Simple but great lyrics. Another "10".
Ideas As Opiates: Was almost considered as the band name. Say what you want a "9".
Memories Fade: Absolutely great lyrics. Hit and still hits the nerve. So many people suffer from broken relation ships... "10"
Suffer The Children: The Master Tape has a lot of noise which you can clearly hear on LP or CD. Even on the remastered version of The Hurting the noise wasn't quiet eliminated. "8"
Watch Me Bleed: - In my opinion a great tune for the car. Music and lyrics are top. "10"
Change:- Nice song - in my view only an "8" because I think the song doesn't reach the level of the other two single releases in music and lyrics.
The Start of the Breakdown: - The last song on The Hurting is a classic, too. Off beat drums, great piano sound and lyrics. "10".

submitted by Christian Zieske

SHOUT
Rating

"A truly excellent song, in every respect. The very title of this song makes one feel better. To be able to sing 'these are the things I can do without' at the top of one's lungs while driving around in their car is therapeutic to the soul. Politics, war, nuclear weapons, other people that get on your nerves... whatever is bothering you, this song always gets me to 'let it all out'. I always feel better after listening to it. It is, for good reason, my personal favorite song. Roland's voice really shines in this one. And the guitar solo... I'm sure I'm not the only one that gets chills listening to that!

submitted by Michael E. Rogers

SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR
Rating

"Without a doubt the best Tears For Fears album ever recorded (but the night is young, I'm sure, as Roland no doubt has more goodies up his sleeve). All the way from the anger vented in Shout, to the quest for absolute power as demonstrated in Everybody Wants to Rule the World and a protest against nuclear weapons with Mothers Talk, Songs From the Big Chair is the perfect pick for anyone with a desire for superb music and meaningful lyrics. The album is set off with a powerful instrumental (Broken) which segues into the grand piano intro of Head Over Heels. The album's real jewel is the first track, Shout, and is wrapped up with the beautifully operatic Listen, in which the truly incredible range of Roland's voice is demonstrated."

submitted by Mer Rogers ( Michael E. Rogers)

"I am writing in praise of 'The Working Hour'. I believe it is the greatest Tears for Fears song. The melody is so haunting. Unfortunately Roland didn't write all of it, it came about during a jam session. It made me cry the first time I heard it. :-)

"Another favorite TFF song of mine is 'Goodnight Song'. Like 'The Working Hour' it has a very haunting melody. I bought Nicky Holland's first solo LP and noticed the melody of that song sounds a lot like her 'Tongue Tied and Twisted'. I recomend you all buy it, and anyone into Nicky please write me at colouringpurple@yahoo.com :) "

submitted by Jerri

LISTEN
"This is one of the lesser known TFF songs, and it's easy to see why. This really beautiful song doesn't seem to fit the normal TFF criteria and at times doesn't sound like TFF at all. For an overall eery feel, I give this song a "10"."

Submitted by Jennifer Email

"I listen to the Shout remix with DMX on my radio. Hiphop is very cool and I am really enjoying TFF's music. Anyone, do you know of the Shout hip hop Remix?....
Peace,
Jeklien/Indonesia fans