TEARS FOR FEARS Vinyl & CDs

Review: Tears For Fears' debut album was titled The Hurting and we now gather it has turned 40, spurring the release of this reissue. Despite its dark themes of childhood trauma, emotional repression and primal screaming theapy, the album peaked at number one, ascending to the status of a template-cutter for all the synth-pop and new wave to come thereafter - and proving that the dance music loving masses perhaps weren't so emotionally repressed ater all. The Hurting still features some of the band's most memorable tracks, such as 'Mad World', 'Pale Shelter' and 'Change'. This special edition has been remastered at half speed for optimal clarity; a treat for the audiophiles who've moved past the arena and into the living room.

Review: Tears For Fears might have been away for twenty years, but they have finally re-convened for a brand new album. And The Tipping Point sure is an ambitions one, but an accomplished one, that goes deep and offers up real emotional force akin to their famously introspective 1983 debut, The Hurting. With plenty of bold and powerful songwriting this is a record that will draw in your new fans and appease the diehards of old. Getting lost in this is almost like they were never away. Welcome back.

Review: Preceded by a single of the same name last year, The Tipping Point marks the return of one of the most inventive pop groups to ever do it. In the 1980s, Tears For Fears expanded the possibilities of what a commercial song could be with sophisticated songwriting, unabashed bombast, unexpected curveballs and jaw-dropping hooks. Given the influence they've had, they might not sound so revolutionary amongst the generations of pop acts who have followed their lead, but they return vital and full of purpose. Embracing new sonics but staying true to the songwriting as the central focus of the Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal's project, it's a triumphant return from a truly seminal group.

Review: Preceded by a single of the same name last year, The Tipping Point marks the return of one of the most inventive pop groups to ever do it. In the 1980s, Tears For Fears expanded the possibilities of what a commercial song could be with sophisticated songwriting, unabashed bombast, unexpected curveballs and jaw-dropping hooks. Given the influence they've had, they might not sound so revolutionary amongst the generations of pop acts who have followed their lead, but they return vital and full of purpose. Embracing new sonics but staying true to the songwriting as the central focus of the Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal's project, it's a triumphant return from a truly seminal group.

Review: Preceded by a single of the same name last year, The Tipping Point marks the return of one of the most inventive pop groups to ever do it. In the 1980s, Tears For Fears expanded the possibilities of what a commercial song could be with sophisticated songwriting, unabashed bombast, unexpected curveballs and jaw-dropping hooks. Given the influence they've had, they might not sound so revolutionary amongst the generations of pop acts who have followed their lead, but they return vital and full of purpose. Embracing new sonics but staying true to the songwriting as the central focus of the Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal's project, it's a triumphant return from a truly seminal group.