Mayfield

Mayfield | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 17, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Zerodisc Records
• ASIN: B000003QEV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,201 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. What Are We Fighting For?

2. Sorry Town

3. Jasmine's Taste

4. Reach Out

5. Trees

6. Mother England

7. Snow Hill

8. I Don't Want To Be Around

9. Sun King

10. Gone Again

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No Tears For Curt, May 31, 2000

By 

Bruce Caines (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mayfield (Audio CD)

When Tears For Fears broke up, the absence of recordings by Curt Smith made many wonder, was Roland Orzabal truly the creative force behind the band as he claimed? It turns out Orzabal's former partner was simply regrouping. Figuratively and literally.

What came from that break is Mayfield, a five man band fronted by Curt Smith. And for those who miss the vibe of TFF when it was an Orzabal/Smith collaboration as opposed to what its current incarnation as Roland's solo gig, Mayfield will satisfy that longing.

The disc starts off strong. The opening track "What Are We Fighting For" (inspired by a comment overheard during an argument between Smith's current songwriting partner and his partner's wife) has the "old skool" TFF sound. Not quite the BIG TFF sound, but the melodic/harmonic/swirling thing with nice lead guitar riffs and tasty hooks that the duo did so well. Even so, it's NOT TFF. And that's not a bad thing.

"Sorry Town" follows with an intro sounding uncannily similar to Pale Shelter. The track quickly evolves into it's own hook laden driving groove.

The release is dotted with nice ballads and more uptempo, slightly edgier tracks like "Reach Out" which is a bit of both. Simple rock jams and lush, fully orchestrated tracks like the poignant "I Don't Want To Be Around," a song of manic depression. Of course there is "Sun King," the obligatory bad blood track where Curt lets off some steam about Orzabal (who recorded his own bad-blood track earlier on the post-Smith TFF release). "Sun King" is bitter and funny all at once taking a swipe at the Smith-perceived arrogance and self importance of his former collaborator. He even starts off mocking Orzabal's shot at him in Roland's track "Fish Out of Water."

"The evidence is on the page Not much to show for so much rage It makes me smile You lost it somehow

Solitude was your only choice Bitterness your only voice I saw your face The time is talking now

Boy you looked so bad! You make the earth revolve You make the camera sing No conscience can absolve The Sun King..."

Oddly enough Smith and Orzabal (who supposedly weren't even speaking to each other for several years after the split), have been recently collaborating on new songs but Curt has been quick to warn there is no TFF reunion planned. "This is just a first step."

Listening to Mayfield reminds us (or informs the unaware) that Smith was an integral part of the Tears For Fears music, not just the "pretty" one. His voice has a unique quality which combined with Orzabal was quite special. On his own it's pretty damned impressive and he shows off his own slightly quirky prowess. Smith's song writing with guitarist Charlton Pettus offers us stuff we don't get to hear on the radio very often. The inane pop of "Britney Aguilerra" and "98 Boyz N'Sync" currently saturating the radio pale in comparison.

Depending where you live and when you buy the album, you will end up with a slightly different disc. It is currently being distributed by Smith's label, Zerodisc as "Mayfield." Outside of the U.S. the release CD is called Aeroplane, with different art and a few added tracks. In August of 2000 that version will be available in the U.S. Apparently the release and subsequent releases will be under the name Curt Smith since as Smith reports, "stores kept stocking the last CD under Smith, Mayfield or TFF, depending on their level of stupidity. Because of this confusion I've decided to keep things simple and the band agrees."

I don't give 5 stars easily but this one could be pushing four-and-a-half. If you need a refreshing CD to add to your collection--one that friends will likely ask, "Who IS this? " Mayfield is the choice. You'll likely be the trendsetter on your block.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Album Made Me Believe In Curt., October 11, 2001

By 

Michael D. Abernethy (Chapel Hill, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mayfield (Audio CD)

I am a huge TFF fan. In fact, I would go as far as to say that they are my favorite band. No one else does it for me the way that Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith did, and by the way this album has affected me, the way they still do.

TFF fans have been divided over the years, depending on who in the group they thought had the most talent. For years, I was in the "Roland" camp. "Soul On Board," Curt's '93 release, had a glossy finish, and a handful of solid adult-contemporary pop songs. And that's not a cut-down. But, the other half of the album was far too weak to make me believe in his side of the story.

This release has placed me firmly in the middle again. I no longer side between Roland or Curt. I just simply can't. I will say that, just as Roland's continuation of TFF took on a different direction without Curt, this album is different than Curt's work with TFF. But it still has an amazing use of melody and some truly stunning vocal work.

Mayfield is simply amazing. It's Curt's "Elemental." Lush production, but not overly so, accompanies songs like the biting "What Are We Fighting For" and the jaw-dropping "Mother England," also the highlight of this remarkable work. Elsewhere, ballads like "Snowhill" and "Trees" shows that Curt is able to get soft, without getting sappy and sugary-sweet.

This album is sadly very underrated. I would argue that it is one of the best of the past decade, even without my affinity for anything TFF. It just is simply that good. Put it up against McCartney's best, or the warmth of XTC,... it would still shine brightly. Anyone who appreciates solid, well written pop, performed by a velvety-smooth voice will appreciate this stunning album.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Curt IS Mayfield Bringing a Unique Personal Touch, May 27, 2004

By 

L.A. Scene (Indian Trail, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mayfield (Audio CD)

Mayfield is the name of the band formed by Tears For Fears lead singer Curt Smith. The result is an album which showcases Smith's talent as a songwriter and producer as well as bringing a more personal touch than any other album he has been a part of during his career. This album really came out in an "underground" fashion. It was actually recorded back in 1996. Curt Smith formed his own label "Zerodisc" and the album was sold online in 1997. It wasn't until 1998 when the album hit stores. No big name record company or distribution.

The name Mayfield is a play on Curtis Mayfield's name (i.e. Curt[Smith] is Mayfield). Curt Smith had split from his partner Roland Orzabal back in 1990 and the two went their separate ways. Roland kept the Tears For Fears name and continued to record using that name. Curt put out a solo album called "Soul on Board" which he wasn't very happy with. Curt and Roland would eventually reunite back for 2004 release "Everybody Loves a Happy Ending". Curt's main partner in Mayfield is guitarist Charlton Pettus who is also the album's co-producer. When Curt and Roland would reunite, Curt would also bring Pettus along. Other band members include Russ Irwin - Keyboards/vocals, Doug Petty - Keyboards, Shawn Pelton - Drums, and of course Curt Smith on Bass.

The album follows the direction that Tears For Fears took with "The Seeds of Love" album. On this album Tears For Fears moved away from the synthesizers to a more "natural" sound.

The "personal touch" to this album is very evident in three songs. "Mother England" is the best song on this album. Curt emigrated from his birthplace in Bath, England and now lives in the United States. This song really documents and justifies Curt's emigration. He doesn't knock his home country when he sings "I Don't Believe in Mother England", he says "I don't believe in imaginary lines (borders).... In the End its a solitary world". This song really captures the power of Curt's voice while Charlton and Russ really provide some great background vocals ("I don't believe in Mother") in almost a mantra fashion. The mantra fashion was always a favorite of mine in Tears For Fears so it's evident that Curt played a role contributing to it back in his Tears For Fears days.

"Sun King" is possibly the most personal song on the album. When Curt and Roland split up, Roland would continue to record under the Tears For Fears name. On the album, "Elemental" (first album since the breakup), Roland wrote a song called "Fish Out of Water" which referred to Curt Smith. In that song Roland wrote "You always said you were the compassionate one, but now you're laughing at the Sun. With all your high class friends you think you got it made. The only thing that was made was that tanned look on your face.." . "Sun King" is a response back to "Fish Out of Water" (referring to Roland referring to himself as the 'Sun'). In Sun King Curt says "Solitude was your only choice, Bitterness your only voice". Clearly - some harsh words - makes for a good soap opera as well as good music. The good news is that the two put the bitterness behind them and reunited for the album (ironically titled) "Everybody Loves A Happy Ending". Another personal song is the opening track called "What are we Fighting For" - perhaps again another reference to his Tears For Fears days.

This album gives Curt ample opportunity to shine with his vocals and songwriting - "Sorry Town", "Snow Hill" "I Don't Wanna Be Around", and "Jasmine's Taste" are good songs that are also catchy. The song "Reach Out" as a great acoustic rhythm that shows how Curt has moved to the "natural" sound.

This is a very good album. The personal touches really help this album stand out. And it proves you don't need the big record company and the big name studio musicians to deliver a winning formula. Curt Smith really found his niche with Mayfield and the result is superb! This is an album you might have to listen to several times, but it will grow on you and stand on its own. Highly recommended.