The Seeds Of Love [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Whilst Tears For Fears was finding its footing with 'The Hurting' and discovering computer programming and drum looping with 'Songs from the Big Chair', this album is much more influenced by jazz compositions and cabaret performances, especially the tracks featuring Oleta Adams, who gives a whole new layer to the Tears For Fears sound. Oleta Adams was 'discovered' by Tears For Fears in a cabaret in New Orleans during the 'Songs from the Big Chair' tour, and her voice and attitude on stage mesmerized Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal so much so that she became a major influence on this album.

In terms of content, 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' is much more 'positive' than the first two albums, especially with the title track and 'Advice for the Young at Heart'. 'Woman in Chains' stands out in terms of simplicity and yet somewhat powerful, emotional and heart-wrenching track (sang as a duet with Oleta Adams and Roland Orzabal).

The additional tracks on this album are somewhat of a mismatch, but worth the listening, especially 'Johnny Panic and the Bibles of Dream', whose title is lifted from a Silvia Plath book of the same name. The verse of this song is taken straight from the 'Seeds of Love' and sang in 'rap' style over a typical Tears For Fears melodic riff and drumloop.

Finally the re-mastering on this album is nothing short of amazing, thanks to Chris Hughes, who was the producer of 'Songs from the Big Chair', and who has taken a lot of care into making this re-release a true gem for fans of Tears For Fears and music lovers everywhere.

It's hard to pick highlights on an album where every song is a highlight, but the jazzy piano based jam of Badman's Song, the desolate feel to Standing On The Corner Of The Third World, the magnificently arranged theatrics of Swords And Knives, and the highly charged screaming rock drama of Year Of The Knife, as well as the three hit singles featured here, make this album a treasure trove of creativity and talent. Once again, Roland Orzabal shows that he knows how to end an album with a real finale, this time round with the poignant Famous Last Words, a song about the acceptance of human mortality, with it's tranquil piano and beautiful string arrangements.

The remastered version of this CD also contains four extra tracks (all B-sides of the singles), which are all high calibre material themselves, particularly Johnny Panic & The Bible Of Dreams, which creatively incorporates gospel-style vocals and TFF lyrics rapped (yes - rapped!) over a groovy dance beat. The whole album, with it's lush, sophisticated feel may not be as immediately accessible as their previous works, and some of the tracks may even be a little too dense (both musically and lyrically) for some listeners upon first playing. However, if it were possible to make a record in widescreen, this would definitely be one of them, and The Seeds Of Love is most certainly the TFF masterpiece album.

Ironically, the album's creative excellence masks the turbulent years behind the scenes trying to make it, as fractures began to appear in the band. Established TFF associates Ian Stanley, Manny Elias and Chris Hughes all departed, citing "creative differences" as the reason. Curt Smith became over-infatuated with the jetset celebrity lifestyle afforded to him after the global success of the previous album, thus apparently neglecting his role within the band. And Roland Orzabal (the principal creative force of TFF) had become so involved in the recording process that he had allegedly become somewhat temperamental, tyrannical and generally difficult to work with. On the more positive side, he did still have the talents of wonderful TFF associate Nicky Holland, as well as sound engineer Dave Bascombe to assist him, but the most positive aspect of the production was the arrival of talented singer and pianist Oleta Adams, whom the band had met during their U.S. Big Chair tour in 1985. Miss Adams' inclusion in the project gave this album a quality and soulful warmth that no other TFF record has ever had, both before and after this one. Sadly, things between Smith and Orzabal did not improve after the album's release and subsequent world tour, and they eventually parted company in the early 1990's, making this the last album of their successful partnership. Neither have achieved the same level of success in their respective careers since this album, although Orzabal's work continues to be consistently wonderful if not quite as commercially viable.

Do not buy this album expecting it to be Songs From The Big Chair - Part 2. Instead, you will find The Seeds Of Love to be a much more substantial and rewarding experience. FULL MARKS!!!