Tears for Fears - Everybody Loves a Happy Ending

Everybody Loves a Happy Ending may be a hint for Tears for Fears. A hint that points and says: You should have not come out with a comeback album.

Duran Duran, The Pixies, Morrissey, The Cure. They have all come out with a new album to add to their classic 80s discography. Another band to add to the list is the "Shout" band Tears for Fears, but there are more pressing matters to attend to then falling "Head Over Heels" or "Sowing the Seeds of Love." This is the first album released by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith in more than a decade, and their first since 1989. And their latest, Everybody Loves a Happy Ending, reveals the lighter of side of Tears for Fears.

When Tears for Fears appeared in the early 80s, their music was created to make a dent in the world everyone was living in- bringing peace to the destitute through their music. Unfortunately, this same attitude has changed in the latest album. The lyrics are weaker and their musical tastes have gone from classic 80s to soft cruise music. I would not be surprised to see them doing gigs on ocean liners or in local bars for those hardcore "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" fans. Some of their songs express a very grunge rock melody with upbeat lyrics about love and finding hope in dark places. Even the album cover is a little scary with a picture of the devil, skulls with arms and legs coming out of their mouths and eye sockets, clowns and some strange totem pole.

I cannot criticize much myself. As a long time fan of Tears for Fears, reviewing this album is sort of subjective. But I do not find myself struggling to be objective while listening to Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. I find myself disappointed in the less than conquering lyrics. Maybe it's the whole swing of music or it maybe the choice of words. In songs like "Call Me Mellow," I hear the word "bedraggle" used in context. Another disappointing point of this song is the fact that this is a love song about a girl who does not think the boy is not up to par with her standards. Whatever happened to "Mothers Talk," fellas? I am sad hearted to say that Everybody Loves a Happy Ending may be a hint for Tears for Fears. A hint that points and says: You should have not come out with a comeback album.

(New Door / Universal)