Tears For Fears/ The Tipping Point

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR 

Tears For Fears/ The Tipping Point

Genre: Pop-rock

Label: Concord Records

Rating: *** 1/2

After attracting listeners with their new wave synth pop-rock sound in the 1980s and early 1990s, British duo Tears For Fears went off the radar, following personal setbacks, a long split and a general lack of fresh ideas after reuniting. Though their songs 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World', 'Woman In Chains' and 'Shout' continued to be played, their only release in the last two decades was Everybody Loves A Happy Ending in 2004.

Obviously, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith didn't want the ending to happen then, as they've released their new album The Tipping Point after an 18-year gap, armed with some fantastic cover art. The fact that this is only their seventh studio album in 39 years speaks for their low output. What's interesting is that they experiment with the sound, changing styles frequently while brushing with their trademark.

Appropriately, the opening song 'No Small Thing' has the lines, "But I've just one more song to sing, one more story to tell". On the same song, they continue, "When I'm 40 years older, when I'm wrinkled and wise, I will trade all my liberty, for that look in your eyes". Beginning with an acoustic guitar backdrop and building up tempo, the song talks of expectations as one gets older.

The Tipping Point has 10 songs, which may sound distant initially, but grow on you steadily. Sharing vocals, Orzabal and Smith are backed by neat arrangements, deep lyrics and well-constructed harmonies. While the lyrics are the strength, the goody-goody switch to melodic pop makes some portions sound repetitive.

A clear example of the lyrical brilliance is on 'Long, Long, Long Time', which has the lines, "The higher the mountain, the harder the fall, looking for blood at the scene of the crime, it's been running in circles or nothing at all, for a long, long, long time". Then there's 'Master Plan', with the opening lines, "The lights were shining on the love we made, out of sight was out of mind, a dream away, lost between the Beatles and the Stones".

Orzabal has had personal upheavals like a rehab stint and the loss of his wife to alcohol-related illness - the song 'Please Be Happy' is a message to her departed soul. The overall songwriting thus focuses on mature subjects ranging from aging and acceptance to sorrow and survival.

The vintage Tears For Fears sound is best found on  the brilliant 'My Demons', whereas the title track uses the roots but crawls over new branches. The album's mood is summarised on the keyboard-backed ballad 'Rivers Of Mercy', which has the lines, "Drop me in rivers of mercy, yeah, bring out the dead tonight, and bathe them in your sacred light to wash away the pain".

There are a few predictable parts like 'End Of Night' and 'Break The Man', which don't add much value. But the closing number 'Stay' boasts of intense vocals and lines that deal with opposite emotions. In the overall picture, this is a collection that needs patient listening, with a special focus on the lyrics. It's a pretty good return to form, and one hopes a follow-up is in place.