Tears For Fears
Elemental

There are bands that, even undeservedly, remain in the history of music. Others that disappear, deservedly, after a single. And then there are those bands that, despite having all the potential for lasting success, remain confined to a fortunate season, or little more, and are remembered for being representatives of a decade.

This is the case with Tears for Fears, an English band led by Roland Orzabal and a prominent figure of the English new wave/synth pop. The 80s, of course. Who doesn't remember hits like "Shout", "Mad World", or "Sowing the Seeds of Love"? However, the band continued and embarked on other paths, gradually losing the notoriety they had gained. And that’s the sin.

"Elemental" marks the return of TFF after the 80s, and it is a welcome return, but solo. Orzabal, the group's composer, remains the only voice of the band. What doesn't change is the intelligent songwriting and the incisive lyrics, never banal. The TFF style is indeed always that of the refined pop song, but the sounds are more mature, and the album has a particular experimental vein. The songs have become more complex (the nursery rhyme rhythms that characterized the choruses of the previous repertoire are a thing of the past).

The opening piece is the title track, characterized by an almost electro opening, with a guitar riff and synths building up, the vocals are sharp. Then a more funky rhythm kicks in, and in the chorus, the aforementioned riff dominates. The singles "Cold" follow, featuring another catchy elaborate riff and a nice bass line, then "Break it Down Again". This song deserves special attention. It begins with a solemn choir that almost suggests a gospel accompanied by a march, then the actual song takes off; a pop piece that upon careful listening reveals an original series of chords, so much so that it would be splendid to hear it in an acoustic version. Among the album's highlights is also "Fish out of Water", another effective guitar riff for an evocative piece that takes you to distant shores, narrating a relationship gone wrong. One of those pieces filled with resentment, dedicated to someone who makes you believe everything only to turn out to be a complete disappointment.

"Brian Wilson Said" is the other peak. It is the most experimental track; it starts with clear surf atmospheres (the title is already in itself a tribute to the legendary leader of the Beach Boys) and indeed makes you feel almost like with sand on you, hearing the sound of the surf. Then, a nice dive into the ocean. We swim underwater, holding our breath, with open eyes, watching the light breaking clear and filtering above us. Slowly we resurface through the entire long and wonderful free jazz guitar solo that finally leads to a suggestive and melancholic outro: we've resurfaced on the surface, and we're out of breath. A reprise of the verse closes it and leaves us there, drying on the shore where we started, kissed by the sunset sun.

The last track of the album, "Goodnight Song", is an emotional farewell to a childhood friend (perhaps the one who left good Roland for a solo career?) Beautiful guitar solos and a soft, heartfelt, engaging vocal.

Of course, this album is not without its weak points ("Mr. Pessimist", "Gas Giants"...), but those in its favor easily make them forget: well-written, intelligently elaborated, well-arranged, and played songs, and above all truly emotional. For this reason, it's a pity that the name of Tears for Fears is mostly linked to the 80s. There have been attempts to return, but they haven't achieved significant effects. What else to say?

There are bands that gradually disappear from the scene undeservedly. Yet they have left behind some beautiful songs.