Tears For Fears - The Hurting [UK Bonus Tracks]

Digitally remastered reissue of the hit English new wave/ pop duo's 1983 debut album with four bonus tracks added, 'Pale Shelter' (Long Version), 'The Way You Are' (Extended), 'Mad World' (World Remix) and 'Change' (Extended Version). The album also features the original version of the top 75 hit 'Change'. 14 tracks total. 1999 release. Album Description

A Classic

I stumbled across the album after many years. Listening to it again, I'm stunned at how well-crafted the album is. Although electronic-sounding, apparently most of the tunes were actually written on acoustic guitars, which I think accounts for the strength of the songwriting and melodies.

A bit depressing, so perhaps it's best to listen to in the bright light of summer! June 4, 2008

Worthwhile improvement in sound quality

Unlike some "remasters," this one delivers the audio quality goods. It's mastered much louder, so don't be fooled by that. After correcting for the different levels, this remaster has much better image size, instrument separation, and superior treble resolution, as compared to my original late-80s CD (wish I still had the vinyl). The remaster is a bit on the chilly, digital side, but it is still an obvious (i.e., noticeable in the first 5 seconds) improvement over the original, which sounds closed-in by comparison. (Impressions while listening on Quad 988 speakers, BAT integrated amp, and Mark Levinson 390S CD player.) April 12, 2008

One of my all time favorite albums

This is an amazing album! It surpassed my high expectations. The lyrics and music are deeply beautiful and poetic. Highly recommended! February 8, 2008

Great Songs but recordings sound crude compared to later stuff

I wish they would re-mix this album or even better re-record it, the songs are great but the recording, mix, arangements and performances are just not as good as their later recording, the CD sounds like a demo
compared to Big Chair or Seeds.

The remastering helps the overall sound but it also makes the shortcomings
more obvious.



May 7, 2007

One of the great Alt-rock albums

Like Simon & Garfunkel a generation earlier the Tears for Fear duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith will with any luck shine bright for generations to come. The Hurting is their best album and one of the best (top 10) from the 80s (IMHO), all songs resonate and reach deeply inside. The opening to Pale Shelter embodies the mid-80's soaring atmospheric Alt-rock sound. While other Alt-heads were going gaga over bands like New Order, The Smiths and The Cure (yes, all great acts....U2 is a different story altogether) some of us were cheering for Alt-Alt bands like TFF, Howard Jones, The Cars, Echo & The Bunnymen {and for me all courtesy of the once great WLIR radio station in New York (now reborn and webcasting!)}. Thank you Roland and Curt for your great gift to us. January 29, 2007

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