Tears For Fears - The Hurting (1983)

Note: the CD I listened to is a 1985 Japanese import of a CD printed in West Germany. (Only CD geeks will be interested in this next bit:) It has the Mercury records "orbital" logo in the center of the disc. According to the research staff here a blog headquarters, at some point in the late '80s, the plant used by Polygram in West Germany changed from manufacturing fully aluminum-spluttered polycarbonate discs such as this particular CD to using polycarbonate discs with clear inner rings. This copy is housed in a smooth-sided jewel case. Sorry, no obi.

My high school friend, Jim, introduced me to so much good music in the early '80s. Knowing my love for synthpop in 1983, he played this album for me with an emphasis on the single Change (#73 pop, #22 rock). As he often did, he then lent me his copy of The Hurting and, looking back, I don't think I gave it a proper chance because I dug Change and, at first blush, I didn't believe anything else on the album was as good as that particular cut. I've definitely changed my mind since then. In order to avoid unleashing any repressed angst, I usually ignore the lyrics and just enjoy the hooks and there's plenty of those. With all the critical acclaim (see below) and MTV exposure, I have no idea why the group didn't hit big in the US with this one - they'd have to wait a couple of years for that.

Don't ask me why, but this is an autumn/winter album for me while the very similar Songs From The Big Chair is a spring/summer album for me.

Press of the time:

• CashBox: "explosive Euro-pop filled with demanding angst-heavy lyrics instead of the usual boy-meets-girl drivel."
• Musician: "they've managed the trick of being fashionably austere and immensely hummable at the same time."
• Smash Hits (8 out of 10): "there's no doubting the talent on display"
• Stereo Review: "a powerful record and one of the real surprises of the year"
• Trouser Press: "glossy and danceable, with breezy vocals - high tech with considerable finesse to back it up."
• Rolling Stone (★★★): "it is a testimony to their refined pop instincts that they manage to produce this much pleasure from the pain."

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #73
• Billboard Rock: #41
• CashBox: #59
• Rolling Stone: #41

Tracks: In 1983, I thought the best track was Change. These days, I think Pale Shelter is the best track, followed by Mad World then Change. I also dig the title track, Suffer The Children, and, if the mood is right, The Prisoner. One wonders why young Mark was captivated by the stark minimalism of The Chauffeur on Rio, yet not Ideas As Opiates on this album. Again, my opinion of that track changed over the years.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above

Previously revisited for the blog:
Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits 82-92) (1992)
Songs From The Big Chair (1985)