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Ultimate Collection

Tears for Fears - Ultimate Collection Audio CD

A fair review of the Tears for Fears "Ultimate Collection" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Tears for Fears reviews here, or go back to the Tears for Fears tabs.

Band: Tears for Fears
Title: Ultimate Collection
Rating:

Release Date: 2003-02-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Mad World 2: Change 3: Pale Shelter 4: Way You Are 5: Mother's Talk 6: Shout 7: Everybody Wants to Rule the World 8: Head Over Heels 9: I Believe 10: Sowing the Seeds of Love 11: Woman in Chains - Oleta Adams, Tears for Fears 12: Advice for the Young at Heart 13: Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down) 14: Break It Down Again 15: Cold 16: Start of the Breakdown 17: Watch Me Bleed 18: Working Hour 19: Sea Song 20: Badman's Song - Oleta Adams, Tears for Fears 21: Year of the Knife 22: Swords and Knives 23: Famous Last Words 24: Dog's a Best Friend's Dog 25: Brian Wilson Said 26: Goodnight Song 27: Ashes to Ashes 28: Bloodletting Go 29: Raoul and the Kings of Spain 30: Me and My Big Ideas - Oleta Adams, Tears for Fears 31: Change [Extended Version][*] 32: Pale Shelter [Long Version][*] 33: Way You Are [Extended][*] 34: Mother's Talk [US Remix][*] 35: Shout [US Remix][*] 36: Calling Out [*] - Curt Smith 37: Soul on Board [*] - Curt Smith

A must-have, if you are a Tears For Fears fan
I wanted to be sure this CD collection got one more rating, because it really deserves is. Jason's review is exhaustively thorough, so I can't really add much more than what he has already said.

Tears For Fears was a ground breaking band in the 1980's. They had such great harmonies, lyrics, and vocals. I felt like they were walking an interesting line between rock and jazz. They were experimental with instruments, in some ways like Peter Gabriel. And with jazzy overtones reminiscent of Steely Dan. They were also lucky to have made a few commercially popular songs that propelled them to the top 10 of the charts.

But the 80's died away and so did Tears For Fears. Curt couldn't quite keep up with Roland and the two ended up parting ways. Roland tried to go it solo, but couldn't sustain it. A shame, really.

Now, the two are back together. They came out with a new album, "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending". Maybe it should have been named "Everybody Wants A New Start", because that's what they're trying to do and unfortunately didn't quite cut it. That's why you didn't hear any airplay, in the USA anyway.

So, their best work is still behind them and this Ultimate Collection is a great tribute. I definitely recommend getting it if you'd like to revisit the great work of this fine band. And hopefully one day Curt and Roland will strike the right chords and be back alive in USA radiowaves.

Blown away
I listen to it almost daily. This re-mastered collection was more than I had hoped for. Love the crisp coronets in Mad World. I don't even think this is available anymore on Amazon but if it is - buy it quick.

TFF Collector
I collect all things TFF, so if you love Curt and Roland than this is a must have.

Great collection
As others have said, the recordings are top-notch. It's missing a few songs I would have included, but that is personal opinion.

The Best-Sounding Tears For Fears Remastering To Date!
Both are import releases from Universal Netherlands. After hearing the stunning job that Studio Hilversum did for ABC on the Ultimate Collection I bought my copy of Tears For Fears' 'The Ultimate Collection', 32-Bit remastered by Studio Hilversum as well.

Tears For Fears finally got a worthwhile remastering treatment. I've had many issues with buying poor to mediocre remasters from Universal previously. In fact, nothing else compares to the remastering done on this 3-disc compilation of hits, album cuts, remixes, and rarities. The only other Tears For Fears' remastering that's worthwhile is the 1999 album remasters: The Hurting [UK Bonus Tracks], Songs from the Big Chair, and The Seeds of Love. However, the tracks pulled from these albums sound yet even better on this multi-disc compilation.

The collection features 32-Bit "Floating Point Mastered" sound, as stated on the back of the sleeve. Most labels are currently using 24-bit mastering technology, but Universal Netherlands takes the music a step further, offering a mastering at a higher bit rate. The results are breathtaking, creating music that is alive, rich, wide, crisp, clean, and full.

Listening to the earlier cuts from the first album, 'The Hurting', is like experiencing these songs in a whole new dimension. Both tracks have a deeper, louder punch not heard in previous masters. Pop in CD 1 and the differences will be heard immediately. "Mad World" has never sounded more full and alive. Listen to those drums! Check out the part starting at 2:23. Jump to "Change". Woah! Recorded in 1982? No way! Check out that "Extended Version" on the bonus CD as well. Did your 12" vinyl ever sound this clean? I doubt it. I don't ever remember the guitar in "Pale Shelter" ever sounding so crisp to the point in which it jumps out at you. Check out that "Long Version" as well!

Personal favourite "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" benefited hugely from this 32-Bit remaster. Listen to previous so-called remasters -- 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Tears for Fears anyone? Shout: The Very Best of Tears for Fears anyone? Flat! Flat! Flat! This release puts the mastering of those collections to shame!!! It's like lifting a blanket off my speakers! One would never know that "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" has a bass line from listening to those previous releases. In fact, I just figured it was rather weak production. But, at last, you can hear it here! The bass line is heavy and will vibrate your surroundings. The drums are crisp and clean. The guitars soar. Finally! The music is alive.

"Head Over Heels" is yet another example of many. The grand piano heard in previous releases -- besides the 1999 remaster, of course -- has always sounded flat, dull, and out of tune. It sounded dead. Finally, the grand piano sounds like it's being played right in front of me, not in the background. Those notes are finally in tune!

Wait until you hear the drums in "Mother's Talk"! Wow. That's all I'll say about this track.

For those who are curious, all tracks presented here are, to the best of my knowledge, the original lp versions. "Pale Shelter" is thankfully featured in a longer 4:35 version, which features a proper, cold ending instead of a fade. The version of "Head Over Heels" featured here is not the single version but rather the original lp version -- that is, the version which features "Broken [Live]" tagged on the end. While I would have preferred a few more rare 12" versions or remixes instead of the two Curt Smith solo tracks, they are a nice addition to the release, considering Roland Orzabal is featured here with his solo tracks under the Tears For Fears moniker.

Everyone has their favourite Tears For Fears tracks. Nonetheless, many rarities and hard to find tracks are missing in this collection. Where is the original U. K. 12" version of "Shout"? Where is the Sports Aid track "Everybody Wants To Run The World"? These are a few tracks which are still not available on CD. I could knock this release down a star or two for not including such rarities, but the sound quality alone by far makes up for it on those classic tracks which are included.

I could go on about each and every track, but I believe the point has been made. This release rocks! Just do A/B comparisons to these songs on other Tears For Fears releases, and you'll clearly hear the differences. Other releases are often flat and lifeless, whereas the music heard on this release is full and wide. What a difference! This is the Tears For Fears release to purchase!.

You can see a complete list of all Tears for Fears discography, or go back to the Tears for Fears tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.