Personalities | Tears For Fears | Eighties | Rock

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1981–96, 2005–present)

Masters of a well-made song, Roland Orzabal (vocals, guitar, synthesizers) and Curt Smith (vocals, synthesizers, bass) began their chart-busting career in electro-pop mode with the sombre but enthralling ‘Mad World’, ‘Pale Shelter’ and ‘Shout’ (the latter a US No. 1), and debut album The Hurting (1983). But the release of 1985’s Songs From The Big Chair saw a more expansive approach incorporating classic styles from the past. The positively jaunty ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ (1985) gave them another US No. 1, and was reissued as a charity single. Their next album was a long time coming. The superb Beatles-pastiche ‘Sowing The Seeds Of Love’, another global smash, was a misnomer. The Seeds Of Love (1989) was the band’s final collection, as the duo argued over Smith’s contribution, or lack thereof. A surprise reunion for 2005’s Everybody Loves A Happy Ending was prompted by the 2003 smash cover of their ‘Mad World’ by Gary Jules.

Styles & Forms | Eighties | Rock
Personalities | Toto | Eighties | Rock

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley

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