Review
Tears For Fears' 1985 album, 'Songs From The Big Chair,' is a dazzling fusion of pop hooks and emotionally charged songwriting. Stepping up from their debut, 'The Hurting,' the band enlarged their sound palette, adding real drums, guitars, sax, and organ, which resulted in a lush and layered experience. The beats and melodies on this album are pure 80s magic and totally rad, appealing both to your pop sensibilities and your deeper, introspective moods.
Lyrically, the album dives into themes of uncertainty and self-doubt, with tracks like 'The Working Hour' and 'Broken' capturing that push-pull between hope and despair. Yet, the band tempers this darkness with infectious tunes that stick in your head and make you want to dance. 'Shout' and 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World' are prime examples, becoming massive hits that dominated the international pop scene. The use of reverb and effects adds a sense of grandiosity and drama, especially in mega-tracks like 'Head Over Heels' and 'Listen.' It's got that epic 80s vibe with a sophisticated twist!
Overall, 'Songs From The Big Chair' shows just how inventive and ambitious Tears For Fears could be. The album's mix of commercial appeal and artistic depth cements its place as a standout record of the 80s—totally tubular! - Beth
