Customer Reviews

Raoul & Kings of Spain

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this album about four years back, and I really liked it, but not as much as Elemental or Seeds of Love at the time, because it wasn't as big in sound, that Tears for Fears sound I'm used to. But that changed after repeated listenings It was a little more understated. Roland's vocals, also, are a little more understated. But after repeated listening over the first year, I found I always listened to this CD more than Elemental, Seeds of Love, SFTBC. It is almost a concept album, and I love throwing this on at home and listening. This is an album that is always in rotation throughout the year and has stood the test of time. I love it, but the love sneaks up on you. It doesn't hit you between the eyes on first listen, and is an album that needs to be listened to from beginning to end to appreciate it, not just a song there or there. The atmospheric mood of the album and placement of the songs is just perfect. Roland should be very proud, as I know it's a deeply personal album. The shades of his vocal tones on here are just beautiful and he shines on this album. One of my favorite vocalists of all time.

Lush and enduring. I agree the brilliance of this CD was over looked. Just get it.

This is an excellent cd. Of course we don't hear alot of Curt Smith on this cd. This is Roland Orzabals masterpiece. I usually skip around on cds, but I listen to this all the way through. Each song flows into another beautifully. Roland has several different voices on this cd and they are all great. (I Choose You is especially good, but hey they're all good.) I highly recommend this cd, especially for the Roland Orzabal fans out there. You won't be disappointed!

ROTKOS for TFF was a solid recording about Roland's Spanish culture and heritage and on his likes and dislikes on Catholicism. No one song help exemplify this in "Sketches of Pain". He is gazing at a painting of a bullfighter killing a bull and writes about how he dislikes it. Animal activists would agree. I found some the songs very good such as "Los Reyes Catilicos" (The Catholic Kings), "Sorry", and "Humdrum and Humble".

Oleta Adams shows up for a duet for "Me and my Big Ideas" which is the best and most powerful song in this recording. Worst tune "Don't Drink the Water". Perhaps one of the worst TFF songs ever produced. Still, overall this release along with the theme on Roland are excellent with 4.5 stars. I scored as 4 stars above for the reason that other TFF releases were a little better.

CDs I pull out to listen to time and time again. I own over 800 CDs at this point, so I don't have time to to listen to much in my collection repeatedly any more, but this one keeps coming up, and when it does, I listen to the whole thing in order as it's that good.

Yes, Roland should have called this a solo album (as with Elemental), but this is the best of all the records from start to finish he's been involved in.

As one other reviewer said, this is not music for the shallow minded. This one is best enjoyed relaxing at home actively listening -- it's not background noise.

So pick this one up -- you won't be disappointed.

I've had this on repeat since 1996, as a hardcore TFF fan since "Big Chair" way back when, and still pull it out from time to time. Back on replay in my car now, which wasn't even born then. Still loving it. Talk about a timeless album...
The thematic content, especially "Humdrum and Humble" (who hasn't felt like they are navigating a maze for the nobodies of the world, e.g working some shite retail job ?) and "Me and My Big Ideas" featuring that soaring Oleta Adams vocal, about when your efforts have come to nothing, when you come crashing down--? Concept, but a most relatable one.
Altogether, a beautiful, rich, gorgeous and beautifully-produced album. This definitely earns the Robert Wyatt comparisons, in terms of vocals (Roland's best ever), but you can't exactly "Wyatt" the pub with this; its pure pop moments ("I Choose You") and cry-into-your-pints loveliness overall will have the drunk punters staying firmly put.
That is, if your barkeep actually has this: It's criminally overlooked, and out of print, Stateside at least--
So order it here. Definitely a blind buy, and cheap at that, a top-off for the free shipping. You will be stunned at how top-notch this is, if you like TFF or even Talk Talk add this on.
Five Stars and then some. The rare one that commands a place in your life, of real meaning (along the many earworms on tap as well).
Ps. Shame on "Tears Roll Down" fine as it is, for not including a "Raoul" track or two.

Very good album that I'd put up there with the equally underrated "Elemental". The title track alone is worth the price of admission, a hard rocking jam that might come off to some as a little pretentious when you realize he's singing about himself but it's one of maybe three TFF songs that I can hear on a constant loop. Other standouts include, "Falling Down" and "Los Reyes Catolicos", even if the way they pronounce the word 'catolicos' in the song makes me cringe, it's a very beautiful song with an even better reprise at the end of the disc.

Great CD! Great service! When it comes to buying music that is from the past Amazon is the first place I go.

when I heard the first single jump down, I was not impressed, but once the album came out and I got to hear the rest I greatly rejoiced. I am a travis barker fan, and I enjoy this album. I know that there are others out there that would enjoy it as well, but for some reason it doesnt seem to be getting much media attention....shame. look forward to seeing him drumming w/cypress hill this summer at the spring gathering...