- Audio CD (10 Oct 1995)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Sony
- ASIN: B000002BAS
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | Mini-Disc | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 94,119 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
CD Description
This album is one of the best records ever made. It has been slated by critics over the years, with accusations levelled such as "egotistic", "maudlin" and "self-obsessed". These claims are unfounded and the average listener should buy this album to see for themselves. It is an album that needs repeated listening to "break it in". At first listen it is hard to pick up the mood, the result being that it sits on the shelf for months on end (this happened to me). But listen some more and concentrate on the musical diversity and craft (ignore the confused lyrics) and you will experience a delicate and varied album like no other record you have ever heard. Roland Orzabal has produced some amazingly deep pieces in his time, but his work here is excellent. The opening track is unusual for its slightly discordant harmony that manages to sound acceptable while never quite becoming likeable. Things improve with "Falling Down" which softens the album's mood. "Secrets" adds emotion to the proceedings with some great guitar work. The album then turns to a more "pop-like" sound with "God's Mistake", a clever track with plenty of musical arrangement to keep the most studious of listeners happy. "Sketches of Pain" adds a spanish feel to the record and initiates a biting and moving string of emotions in the listener to prepare for the second half of the album. "Los Reyes Catalicos" is interesting, but becomes tiresome very quickly. The second half opens with a mood breaking rocker, "Sorry", another Orzabal "event" that snakes through different keys and tempos before segmenting into "Humdrum and Humble", a more laid-back track but keeping in the mood of the previous song. Then once again, Orzabal takes the mood right down with the gentle song, "I Choose You", following which he moves back into "Rock" mode for the excellent and rousing "Don't Drink The Water". Closing the album, we are treated to the gentle and moving "Me And My Big Ideas", and experience the re-appearance of Oleta Adams, last seen on "Seeds of Love". A repeat of "Los Reyes Catalicos" closes the album on a downbeat finale. Overall, a brilliant piece of work. Try it for yourself and I am sure you will agree.
Product Description
TEARS FOR FEARS Raoul And The Kings Of Spain (1995 US AUTOGRAPHED 12-track CD album picture sleeve which has been dediccated and signed on the front To Anita Love Roland Orzabal in blue marker pen! EK67318)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is one of the best records ever made. It has been slated by critics over the years, with accusations levelled such as "egotistic", "maudlin" and "self-obsessed".
These claims are unfounded and the average listener should buy this album to see for themselves.
It is an album that needs repeated listening to "break it in". At first listen it is hard to pick up the mood, the result being that it sits on the shelf for months on end (this happened to me). But listen some more and concentrate on the musical diversity and craft (ignore the confused lyrics) and you will experience a delicate and varied album like no other record you have ever heard.
Roland Orzabal has produced some amazingly deep pieces in his time, but his work here is excellent.
The opening track is unusual for its slightly discordant harmony that manages to sound acceptable while never quite becoming likeable. Things improve with "Falling Down" which softens the album's mood. "Secrets" adds emotion to the proceedings with some great guitar work. The album then turns to a more "pop-like" sound with "God's Mistake", a clever track with plenty of musical arrangement to keep the most studious of listeners happy. "Sketches of Pain" adds a spanish feel to the record and initiates a biting and moving string of emotions in the listener to prepare for the second half of the album. "Los Reyes Catalicos" is interesting, but becomes tiresome very quickly.
The second half opens with a mood breaking rocker, "Sorry", another Orzabal "event" that snakes through different keys and tempos before segmenting into "Humdrum and Humble", a more laid-back track but keeping in the mood of the previous song. Then once again, Orzabal takes the mood right down with the gentle song, "I Choose You", following which he moves back into "Rock" mode for the excellent and rousing "Don't Drink The Water".
Closing the album, we are treated to the gentle and moving "Me And My Big Ideas", and experience the re-appearance of Oleta Adams, last seen on "Seeds of Love". A repeat of "Los Reyes Catalicos" closes the album on a downbeat finale.
Overall, a brilliant piece of work. Try it for yourself and I am sure you will agree.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I bought this album when it first hit the shops back in '95. I listened to it once, was disappointed and put it away for another day. That day arrived last week nearly nine years on whilst sorting through some old boxes of CDs. I put this disc into my player and hit the play button and was shocked to hear an astoundingly wonderful collection of quality music. Why I struggled with it nine years ago but not now is a mystery to me. Perhaps a little maturity, responsibility marriage and childen has changed me? Who knows? All I know is that RATKOS is, like 'Tomcats Screaming Outside', a superb piece of musical work. Both take some getting used to but then pay back the patient listener in spades. 'Me and my Big Ideas', 'Humdrum and Humble' and 'Sketches of Pain', 'God's Big Mistake' and 'I Choose You' are particularly worthy of mention.
10/10 at least.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am one of Tears For Fears and Roland Orzabel's biggest fans.I am also honest and thought that after 'The Hurting', 'Songs From The Big Chair', and 'The seeds of love' (Three albums that i spent hours and hours listening to) i thought Roland's song writing and music were begining to wind down rather than pick up pace. Like Simon Cowell often says, "I'm sorry, i was wrong".
This album is superb, and i had a chance to hear the first 30 seconds of each song on HMV.co.uk, which i would advise to Amazon fans who don't want to buy a bum album.
You can feel the quality by listening to the first two or three songs. Secrets(track 3)is awesome, we are talking hairs on the back of your neck standing on end and it sits in the league of 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. As you progress through the album the quality doesn't diminish 'Me and My Big Ideas', sees Oleta Adams make a welcome return and the harmony between voices is as strong as ever. Other songs worth a mention, 'Sorry', 'Humdrum and humble', 'Falling Down' and the title track,'Raoul and the Kings of Spain'.
PS this album is considerably better than 'Tom Cats Screaming
Outside', in my opinion.
This album is superb, and i had a chance to hear the first 30 seconds of each song on HMV.co.uk, which i would advise to Amazon fans who don't want to buy a bum album.
You can feel the quality by listening to the first two or three songs. Secrets(track 3)is awesome, we are talking hairs on the back of your neck standing on end and it sits in the league of 'Angels' by Robbie Williams. As you progress through the album the quality doesn't diminish 'Me and My Big Ideas', sees Oleta Adams make a welcome return and the harmony between voices is as strong as ever. Other songs worth a mention, 'Sorry', 'Humdrum and humble', 'Falling Down' and the title track,'Raoul and the Kings of Spain'.
PS this album is considerably better than 'Tom Cats Screaming
Outside', in my opinion.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Colour for the Colour-Blind?
Roland Orzabal has Iberian ancestors - and a son called Raoul? - so one wonders whether this might explain the strong Spanish references that recur throughout this CD. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Nicholas Casley
Their best post-80's album
I couldn't find this in any record shop when it was released, now in this on-line age it's just click on Amazon... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. J. A. Cousins
Re-issue - worth buying?
Basically, yes (despite the continued presence of the unpleasant cacophonous mess of "...Water").
The bonus tracks are fine (esp "... Read more
The bonus tracks are fine (esp "... Read more
Published 14 months ago by T. Lawford
Too Bad Most People Missed This One!
When I mentioned "Tears for Fears" later work to people, (anything after "Seeds of Love"), most people have had no idea that TFF has had not three albums, but six, (seven if you... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Educator85
Raoul & The Kings of Spain
Loved all the tracks when it first came out, but some how managed to loose my copy and needed to get another and thought I would go for the extra tracks which I love especially... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mrs O
an underrated gem
This album is seminal for TFF, and illustrates that Orzabal is the real creative agent behind the band. Read more
Published on 5 Mar 2010 by leonardo
Believe This...
This is the most assertive, agressive, confident and accomplished thing that the man Orzabal had done so far. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2010 by Vitamino
Roland... King Of The World!
If you thought the light had gone out on Tears For Fears after their fairly acrimonious split shortly after Seeds Of Love then you'd be very much mistaken. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by E. Van Genderen
A Forgotten Gem in the legacy of TFF
Roland (Raul) goes back to his roots!? While this album is sprinkled with a Spanish flavour, pop gems like Gods Mistake and the title track stand out among a coherent and well put... Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2009 by B. Connor
Truely hidden gem
Was a big fan of Tears for Fears back in the 80's and 90's but missed this album as I was into american house music in a big way. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2008 by Mr. AP ROWLEY
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