Songs From the Big Chair by Tears For Fears (CD, Sep-1990, Island/mercury)

In an genre that is, perhaps, more trapped in it's time period than any other (Synth Pop), Tears For Fears manages to craft an album that not only perfectly captures the feel of it's era, but remains relevant and moving in the way that only timeless music can. Filled with absolutely beautiful melodies and chord progressions, Songs from the Big Chair delivers one great song after another and comprises a good half of the best songs of the duo's career (Shout, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, I Believe, Head over Heels). Even the lesser known songs such as The Working Hour perfectly meld with the overall feel of the album while simultaneously carving out their own unique sonic niches in your mind. Tears for Fears breaks from many of the cliches of Synth Pop elevating their music far beyond what most expect of this 80's fare. Thus, I would reccomend it even to someone who isn't the biggest fan of this type of music. Doubtlessly, it is some of the best 80's pop has to offer.

this is one of those special recordings that you can relate to the emotion in the music in every song

Excellent copy of Tears for Fears' breakout CD. love it! I chose this more than their greatest hits because all the songs in this CD are closely related to each other.

Songs from the Big Chair was one of my favorite albums in the 80's and in re-purchasing it on CD, I've found that it's stood the test of time. Many of it's 80's counterparts, have not (I'm lookin' at you, Adam Ant).

If you are a victim of the 80's and early 90's like me - you can't help but love this CD! I just love it!