REISSUE: Tear For Fears – The Seeds Of Love - 30th Anniversary Edition

The British synth-pop duo Tears For Fears released The Seeds Of Love, their ambitious third album, in 1989.  To celebrate its 30^th anniversary, Mercury Records/UMe recently reissued the album that is available on picture disc vinyl, 2CD and a 4CD/1Blu-ray deluxe edition.       

The long-awaited album – released four years after their breakout sophomore hit Songs From The Big Chair - was highlighted by the singles, "Sowing the Seeds," "Woman in Chains," "Advice for the Young at Heart," and "Badman’s Song"; and represented a more mature sound from Curt Smith and Roland Orzabel that subtracted the synths and added in elements of Soul, Gospel, Jazz and 60’s psych-pop.  Guest vocalist Oleta Adams and a host of guest musicians including, Kate St. John, Ian Stanley and Phil Collins gave a more organic feel to the sessions and somehow the duo created an even lusher layered sound. 

The deluxe edition features the remastered original album as well as a second disc of single edits, instrumentals and B-sides.  Highlights on disc two are the fan favorite B-sides, “Tears Roll Down” and “Music For Tables” as well as several different versions and mixes of the hip-hop inspired “Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams”.  Disc three features several previously-unreleased early mixes and radio edits including the standout, “The Year of The Knife - Steve Chase 7 Remix”.  In my opinion, disc four is worth the price of the box set alone with the inclusion of demos and the six intimate and organic Townhouse Live Jam Sessions versions of tracks, “Woman InChains”, “Standing on the Corner of the Third World” and a fun version of “Badman’s Song” which includes the interpolation of some Doors’ lyrics, which showcases the duo’s more playful side.  Disc five is the Blu-ray which features the Steven Wilson 5.1 mix of the album as well as Andrew Waters’ 2015 mix of the album, allowing the listener the best possible listening experience of this wonderful and timeless pop masterpiece. 

Completing the package is a replica tour program loaded with photos and biographies for each touring musician; and a 36-page booklet highlighted by an oral history of the Seeds Of Love era with new insightful interviews with Curt and Roland and others including, keyboardist/co-writer Nicky Holland, producer Chris Hughes and Oleta Adams.   

To order or for more info:  https://tearsforfears.lnk.to/TSOL

Watch the recently remastered in HD video for the standout single, “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” here: